Cirque Adrenaline

For a century they were called “Speciality” or “Spesh” acts. They appeared not just in circuses and side-shows but also on stage in Vaudeville/Variety shows. They were the mainstay of breaking up the more traditional or high profile acts - after all, who can compete with a Pop Star or dancing elephants? Then, in the late 20^th century, Cirque du Soleil changed the game and made the “Spesh Act” into an Art Form, and everybody else followed.

Cirque Adrenaline is one of those followers, and it’s mighty fine entertainment. There is nothing new on offer, but it is beautifully staged by Neil Allan Dorward, with great original music by Evan Jolly and an amazing lighting design by Christopher Boon Casey which really is quite staggering at times.

The acts are all good (though there are no tricks that you haven’t seen before), and yes, there are breath-catching moments of adrenaline on offer. Contortionist Sabrina Aganier, in her Aerial Lyra with hoop, is a Canadian Cabaret and Variety artist based in Europe, who shows that sheer skill outweighs pyrotechnics every time. Strong men Joshua McGahan and Mark Flores perform brilliantly - you won’t see better than this; their strength and skill are quite exceptional. “Clown” Ross Steeves handles the usual shtick with aplomb; Rolla Bolla performer Oleksyi Mruz builds the suspense and wins the audience with his balancing, and The Wheel of Death continues to bring gasps of disbelief from the audience - though this “Cirque” franchise is really overworking it.

Most disappointing is the Motor Cycle Sphere of death. With only 3 motor cyclists, and NO vertical revolutions (where the riders go upside down over the roof) it lacked the true fear factor and adrenaline rush promised. I saw more exciting versions of the act in Britain back in the 1950s. “Extreme Fire” wasn’t extreme and smacked of street performance or corporate gigs. Still there was enough excitement overall to please most people in the audience and the kids love it.

If you’ve been put off by productions by Painter and Lawson in the past - like the somewhat tacky Las Vegas style Le Noir - because they don’t quite spell class, give this one a chance. Despite its shortcomings, it is a cut above the norm for this company. You may well love it, and you’ll certainly feel entertained.

Coral Drouyn