Le Grande Cirque

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 8 October 2008

Le Grande Cirque

A show billed  by some as the next Cirque du Soleil has a lot to live up to.  Le Grande Cirque meets all such expectations head-on.

The current show crashes into the senses with a riot of colour, sound, music, fabulous costumes and skills in acrobatics that are jaw dropping.

Contemporary circus (no animals, naturally) is the ultimate fusion of dance, drama and music.

This is pure performance art.

The range of acts is breathtaking. Pole acrobatics, contortion artists, a ladder troupe and plate spinning with dancing that gives a whole new meaning to multi-tasking.

The second half raises the tempo even further. There is an ultra-violet sequence, nine on a bicycle, the impeccable timing of tumbling through moving hoops and a ballet dance with a difference – on a man’s head!

The short high trapeze is perfect. The entire show is a spectacular display of physical strength, elegance and discipline. It may not be the next generation of Cirque du Soleil. It’s more of the same, but who cares?

The wide range of music from Bolero, Night on a Bare Mountain, Blue Danube, Carmina Burana and loads of wonderful oriental music – add to the totality of the experience and the slick professionalism.

The company exudes fun and they adapt to the confines of the stage rather than a big top with ease.

The only minor disappointment if you are in the circle is missing how the clown selects willing victims in the stalls to help him with his comic gags.

Every act is punctuated by ecstatic audience appreciation and the atmosphere is electric. It certainly leaves everyone wanting more.

Feeling tempted yet?   See it for yourselves – it suits all ages. Grab a ticket while one or two remain.