Roll Up! Roll Up! The circus is back in town with humans doing death-defying feats and adorable elephants making us fall in love with them, writes Michael Holland.
Circus 1903 has returned to the Royal Festival Hall for the third time with its cast and crew to entertain us. With Master Magician David Williamson in the role of Willy Whipsnade the Ring Master overseeing the putting up of the big top, and promoting the show around whatever town they roll up in, and keeping the audience entertained.
The elephants Queenie and her baby Peanut are a big draw. Mum helps with the heavy lifting with the rest of the circus crew while Peanut makes a nuisance of herself, but once the tent is up the show begins.
And for Circus 1903 these are not run-of-the-mill, end-of-the-pier acts but up there with the world’s best. They don’t just perform tricks and daring feats, they all have that something different that lifts them out of the ordinary.
The Great Gaston is not just a juggler who throws things up and catches them before they hit the ground, he equalled the world record of juggling seven ping-pong balls before our eyes. No great achievement you might think, but he did it with his mouth. As one popped in he popped it out again just before catching another one. I was goggle-eyed at how he was doing it.
Hula hoopist Mademoiselle Natalia did not merely spin hoops on her arms, neck, waist and legs, she did it while balancing on a big ball. The Cycling Cyclone rode his bike frontwards, backwards and upside down. The Sensational Sozonov balanced on so many lopsided objects he made me fall off my chair! Then The Flying Fredonis risked their lives for our delectation. Act after amazing act came on and astounded us, and in the quiet moments when kit and equipment had to be fitted or moved, Willy Whipsnade got children on the stage to do magic with them, tricks that were hilarious but that will make life-long memories for those girls and boys. The gag with the kids, the cards and the stuffed toy was especially funny.
The Rolling Raspinis did their stuff on roller skates and The Perilous Perigos did theirs with a length of wood before The Magnificent Marvellos could only perform with a safety mat as those daring young men in their shiny leotards skipped with ropes and did backflips while spinning around on their Wheel of Death! People turned their eyes away, a woman next to me said she felt physically sick. I dared not blink for fear of missing anything.
Circus 1903 is a wonder of human endeavour mixed with hilarity and if you can get to see it you will not be disappointed.
Royal Festival Hall, The Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX until 2nd January. Times: 11am, 3pm, 7.30pm. Admission: £25 – £85.
Booking: 020 3879 9555 – www.circus1903.com
Photos: Dan Tsantilis