Kids in London – Moscow State Circus

My 12 year old has been to many circuses – and numerous upmarket versions (eg Afrika! Afrika!, Cirque Du Soleil and even The Dome’s impressive air display) but for the five year old who joined us yesterday it was a new experience.

There’s something quietly exciting about traipsing across a grass field and entering a huge tent that simply can’t be compared with other productions. The Russian staff – all dressed in black suits with black shirts and bright red bow ties – were exceptionally polite, with flawless English – as they welcomed us and showed us to our seats.

While we waited for the show to begin, we were a little disappointed that it was 80s musak playing rather than Russian numbers – but at least we could spy the live band high above the ring getting ready to strike up. The small people amongst us tucked into popcorn (there was candyfloss and hot dogs available) and we bought a programme (£3) so that we could relive the acts once we got home. Luckily, they didn’t demand one of the flashing light sticks on sale.

With a Rasputin theme it was no surprise that things got started with a rousing chorus of Boney M’s classic song. The five year old in our group was desperate to see clowns….but was suitably impressed with the dry ice, theatrical music and starting scene with a group of menacing looking monks entering the ring…

The starting act was two women using ribbons to do acrobatic feats high in the air. Then there was a troop of jugglers who exchanged batons so fast you could hardly keep up with what was going on. The clowns appeared (one of which looked a bit like Rupert Everett) – doing an amazing get-dressed-while-on-a-high-wire act. The duo continued to appear throughout the show as equipment was set up and taken down – and proved to have a stunning array of other talents including tap dancing and multiple musical instrument playing.

Personally, my favourite was a couple clad in skin coloured outfits who performed some amazing feats of gymnastic strength in an unusual act called Statues. “They’re even stronger than my brother” said my 12 year old daughter in awe, referring to her hero 18 year old weight training, gym resident, protein accumulator brother – praise indeed. There were times when I had to look away during the crossbow act – convinced that something would go awry and that there would be bloodshed. For precisely this reason, the five year old was mesmerised and totally absorbed. Another favourite act was the sky wheel when four brave souls whizzed around at dizzying heights whilst jumping and daredevil ring walking. A short interval allowed us to catch our breath and talk excitedly about all that we had seen.

There was a neat act combining trampolines and trapeze, then three girls who did some impressive human pyramid work, and a couple who used a large ring for various somersaults. Some more airborn trapeze and ribbon acts before the final Russian double swing act. Again, there were a few moments when those guys sailed through the air without safety nets doing precision stunts where I had to look away.

OK – it didn’t have the polish that some circuses have (and the Rasputin story that ran through the performance was a bit lost on the small people) but the skills, variety and excitement in the show made it a wonderful evening’s entertainment for kids and adults alike.

We went to the 745pm performance and 10 minutes before the end at 945pm the five year old was sleeping – so if you have really small people I would advise the 3pm or 5pm show! And pop into your local shops – many of them have discount vouchers for the shows which make the ticket prices even more reasonable.