Created by Showman Productions

Review by Dominic Corr

Underbelly, George Square: tickets

Roll up, roll up, you’re never too old for the circus. The greatest shows on earth, the biggest and boldest of tricks all here waiting for eager audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe can be found at Circus – The Show! This unique collective of some of the circus’ trademark performances and tricks, presented by Showman Productions, promises an unforgettable experience.

Ringmaster extraordinaire Magnus Danger Magnus (yes, that’s their legal name) has all the slick charm one would expect for the role, pushing the energy forward and working with the crowd – able to shake up a lackadaisical 10am audience with the vim and vigour of a night-time spectacular. Armed with a few close-up magic moments of their own, Danger Magnus (again, their fantastic legal name) is just as much the host as they are a valued performer and presence in the Underbelly cow.

From the exceptional training and movements of acrobatics to some jolly clowning work that stretches right into the audience for some very close-up humour that often catches the adults in the crowd off-guard more than the kids, it’s a show that keeps the beats coming and the energy spirited. Though the sound design is occasionally a bit off, the music bursts out over any attempts the acts have to speak with the crowd in their routines, while some routines feel much shorter than others in what they can offer.  

With talents like executive producer Sam Hume offering some terrific audience interaction and gravity-defying tricks which put the kids in the spotlight, the entire troupe does their all to keep the momentum flowing and the crowd entertained. And if you want it, they’ve got it. Magic, acrobatics, clowning work, terrible puns, more magic, juggling, and a few other surprises… Performance in their veins; this is circus through and through. With the limitations of the scale and space of the venue restricting some of the more elaborate circus feats (sadly, and correctly, no elephants and tigers), Circus – The Show still captures the magic of the big top in the big cow at Underbelly.

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