Moscow State Circus

Do you like the circus?  I have to say I’m always in two minds about it which may be the result of some serious childhood circus-related traumas like being seated on the front row and sprayed in the face with water from a clown’s flower leaving me then unable to eat my soaked through, sugar-sticky candy floss.  Anything that stops me enjoyed a sweet treat tends to leave me a bit cold.  However, the Moscow State Circus has something of a different reputation for all things circusy and certainly has confidence of its place in the world: ‘for times in our lives when we want to forget our troubles there is nothing better than to visit a live show.”  There is a part of me that thinks perhaps a spa or a bottle of wine would do the job just as well but hey ho variety is the spice of life.

The show currently on tour is Legenda which is based around the legendary Russian folklore figure Rasputin and his dreams.  Among other things, the show includes the following: ‘The Didyk’, a double Russian swing troupe acrobatically catapulting themselves high into the big top & across the ring which sounds like a wonderfully traditional circus act. There’s also ‘Gregory’s Girls’ are the girls in leotards that every woman in the audience wants to be, suspended in mid-air on floating silks. The ‘Doctorovs’ are pitched as unbelievable Human Statues and breathtaking balancing action who rather excitingly claim to defy gravity and the laws of physics. There’s also award-winning clowns, Valik & Valerik, who have perfected the art of slapstick and Buster Keeton style cunning capers. Then there’s the Kvlividze Troupe on the rotating Wheel of death (which just sounds like marvellous fun) and the unbelievable crossbow act of The Popazovs, where the wife shoots an apple off her husband’s head from 7 simultaneous crossbows, probably not to be attempted at home, especially if you have PMT.

The show is at Alexandra Palace from 1 – 11 April and Richmond Upon Thames from 15 – 25 April.  See their website for more details (www.moscowstatecircus.com).