Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Primary Times Children's Choice Awards review of Cirque Beserk!
Our Primary Times' review:
*5 STARS*
This truly was an awesome spectacular for all the senses... your eyes will not believe the amazing feats on display, nor your ears the dramatic, spellbinding musical background and even your nose will be seduced by the smells of kerosene from the flames, and fumes from the motorcycles. Quite simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life ... beats the Moscow State Circus by a county mile!
For the first time in many years at the Fringe, I have sat through a whole 60 minute show with my jaw firmly on the floor. Cirque Beserk! managed to suspend my awareness of all reality beyond that of what was happening in front of me, and my party of 3 girls aged 10 and 11 spent 60 minutes witnessing the most amazing things they had ever seen on a stage.
This truly was an awesome spectacular for all the senses. Your eyes will not believe the amazing feats on display - acrobats with tumbling moves and balances, aerial performers, flame and knife throwers, a contortionist that can fire a bow and arrow with her feet, a comedy act involving a dwarf and quite simply the most amazing motorcycle stunt I have ever seen. Your ears will ring with the dramatic, spellbinding background music - from old fashioned circus music to start with, to fully dramatic music for the more dangerous feats to the rock type music for the motorcycle stunts. Even your nose will be seduced by the smells of kerosene from the flames, and fumes from the motorcycles.
This is a full blown assault on your nerves too, as Hailey (10), Amelie (11) and Eloise (11) had to shield their eyes at times as they became so engrossed in the thrills and risks of the show. I frequently heard them say "No" as they struggled to believe what they were seeing. Eloise really liked the motorbikes best of all - she just could not believe when five motorbikes went into the Globe of Death. Amelie loved the acrobats with the see-saw, and was thrilled that they managed to catch one acrobat in a chair suspended in the air. Hailey said it was the best circus you could ever see and was amazed at the upper body strength of a disabled member of the cast.
The setting, costumes, make up and general feel is not unlike that of the 19th century The Greatest Showman, and with the exception of the motorbikes you could almost have stepped back in time. Hardly a word is spoken during the entire show, and the acts keep coming thick and fast which barely gives you time to catch your breath. There are two large screens either side of the stage for those who are far back from the action, and this doesn't hamper things at all - just makes it even more real as you see the acts close up. In fact, the hour performance felt like 10 minutes had passed as we were all so engrossed we couldn't believe it when the whole cast came on stage at the end. All the way home on the train I listened to the three girls talk about the amazing things they'd seen, with the phrase "oh and remember this bit" being repeated time and time again.
Quite simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen on stage... beats the Moscow State Circus and PT Barnum by a county mile!
Our young reviewers say:
"This was the first circus I've ever been to, and so much better than I thought" - Eloise, aged 11
"That was the best show you could ever see" - Amelie, aged 11
"No, it can't be finished yet.... can we go again?!" - Hailey, aged 10
Reviewed on 6th August 2019