This ragtag band of puppeteers, burlesquers, cortortionists and assorted beautiful freaks come together during this two-part extravaganza of modern circus performance. The venue's circular shape is ideal - a small stage in the centre is picked out by the spotlights, but the peformers make full use of the aisles, staircases and various platforms. Acts include the captivating puppet-dancers of Cabaret Decadanse, hypnotic hula hooping from Yulia Pikhtina, incredible feats of balance by The English Gents, London's own Miss Behave (deep-throating a table leg), Ursula Martinez (taking a disappearing hankerchief and striptease routine to its natural conclusion) and Freddie Mercury lookalike Mario - who jokes, juggles, unicycles and crowd-surfs. David O'Mer performs hanging from a set of suspended leather straps, with the added spice that he's swinging into, around and through a full bath wearing just a pair of jeans. Most of the front row got wet - take that phrase as you will.
If it's fair to pick one, the star has to be Captain Frodo. As a contortionist he is eye-wateringly talented, but his is also the slickest physical comedy we've seen in a long time. Spellbinding, sexy and stunning - this is a welcome circus of chaos in the heart of the West End.
Alan Rutter
Timeout
19 November 2008
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