January 17, 2006
By Sally-Ann Niven
THE circus is back in town. When there was a cancellation in its world touring schedule, the Great Moscow Circus was able to squeeze in a trip to South Africa - sooner than the expected 2010.
The show had to be reworked since its first visit to sunny South Africa, and audiences have got what they were promised – an all-new Moscow circus.
It begins traditionally, with spotlights focusing on the audience, a drum roll, a crash of symbols and a voice-over from the ringmaster introducing the first act.
The Dalian bicycle troupe
Then the Popovs burst out from behind the curtain, turning up the energy to the maximum right from the start. And it never lets up. Hopping on to trampolines, the artists jump as high as 20 metres.
They are followed by jugglers, acrobats, high wire (without a net) and an extraordinary group of performers who leap from one end of the ring to the other on swings - at remarkable heights. And then there are the clowns, of course.
The trapeze, performed to Tchaikovsky's
First Piano Concerto, is breathtaking. The artists fly around the bigtop like a flock of swallows. Then it is the finale, aptly called the Globe of Death. It is a terrifying act as incredible riders spin around the inside of a metal globe at vast speeds, on motorbikes. All the while, the audience watches with bated breath.
If you went to the Great Moscow Circus last year, you will not be disappointed this time around. All the acts have been reworked, even down to the animals.
Poodles are a new addition, with their trainer more poodle-like than her charges, with her peroxided blonde curls and pink lipstick. It works to provide light relief from the breathtaking acts.
This circus, however, is not about animals and both adults and children should be aware of this. The Great Moscow Circus is about energy, gymnastics, athletics, percussion and incredible talent.
Tickets are available from
Computicket or on 083 915 8000. Tickets cost from R110 to R260, with children under 12 half price and children under two free. The show runs until February 12 at Montecasino before setting off for on its tour of the rest of South Africa.
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