Words: Alex Grunberg
Image: Frank Packer            

3 Stars

Clowning, magic, juggling and aerial arts fill this light-hearted and crowd-pleasing show. Set in the Fringe’s Udderbelly circus big top, you’d expect no less. A popular ticket with high attendance, you will be swept up with thrilled children looking for sparkle and endearing characters in an energetic line-up.

Parents can expect the artistic staples of floating, flying, and fun as the troupe performs a professional and charismatic show. But the highlights of the show are the interactions and rapport between the performers and their youthful audience. The ringmaster brings silliness and confidence. They show off excellent banter skills while responding to exuberant participants with a light touch and ease of physical comedy.

But the standout (and crowd favourite) is definitely the clown, always reaching out to the young viewers, bringing in extra doses of high energy and fun. His antics kept the large audience thoroughly entertained. He kept the action moving between the acts and finished off the show with a thoroughly inventive balloon routine that highlighted the skilfulness of silliness and the big opportunities of a single prop. The children were rooting for him to have his moment in the spotlight, and when the time came, the clown did not disappoint.

Circus classics were given their time to shine in this family-friendly, genuine, and enthusiastic affair.

Circus – The Show
Underbelly, George Square – Udderbelly
10:50
Aug 4-18, 20-26