Let’s get this straight. I’m certainly no longer a kid and I’ve not been to the circus in 20 years. That seems to have been a mistake, though, judging by last night’s sensational performance by the Moscow State Circus in Edinburgh.
Moscow State Circus Comes to Leith
Pitching up by their rain-lashed Big Top by Ocean Terminal in the Scottish capital I’d no idea what to expect. I certainly didn’t expect to lose my wife to the circus, but I did. More on that later. Inside was a cosy and surprisingly spacious venue complete with a bar (a new one for me at a circus) and a canteen serving the likes of hot dogs and candyfloss. No change there then. The big changes came when I made my way through to the main arena and took a seat by the ringside. These are the most expensive seats, but are well worth it as you could see the whites of the performers’ eyes.
The Moscow State Circus Give the Gift of Christmas
The Moscow State Circus’ festive offering is the ‘The Gift of Christmas’, a real extravaganza of sights, sounds and colours. It can be enjoyed on myriad levels. My four year old loved the bright costumes and the physical comedy of the clowns, while daddy appreciated the dry humour of the superb clown couple too and the mechanics of managing to brilliantly jiggle around the set as the show moved on – quite a feat of engineering.
As well as clowns the cast of performers featured an eclectic array of acrobats, jugglers and dancers with the perch pole, static trapeze, aerial silk, Chinese pole, and high wire thrilling the assembled masses. The highlights for me were the spectacular chair balancing act, which involved a tower of chairs that must have been at least 10 metres high, and the sheer drama of the high wire. Belle of the ball was Yana Alievia on her revolving aerial chandelier.
The Night I Lost My Wife to the Moscow State Circus
Before last night I had not really associated the circus with audience participation. The Moscow State Circus and their clowns are hell-bent on it! In a good way. They interacted with the audience, paraded amongst us and even brought a few members up on stage too, including my wife who was swept off by the nefarious charms of the circus. Twice! The audience participation worked really well and certainly kept young ones on their toes and away from any lagging boredom wondering if they would be next!
The Moscow State Circus in Edinburgh and Glasgow
If you don’t manage to catch them in Edinburgh the Moscow State Circus will also be performing in Glasgow Jan 10-20. Whichever city you see them in I recommend you do, whether you are five or fifty as they are a class act who work on myriad levels. I may not have been for 20 years, but I’ve already resolved to go back. I guess I’ll need to if I have any chance of tempting my wife back.
Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh. December 19-January 6.
Adults from £11, children from £7. Under-2s get in free.
Tel. 0844-856 5555. www.moscowstatecircus.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/MoscowSTCircus
For 50% OFF TICKETS just click here (http://bit.ly/ZO9ik3)
By Robin McKelvie
