Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the invention of 'Circus' by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular, created especially for the theatre.
If I'm completely honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. I saw Cirque Du Soleil in Florida, in a theatre built to resemble a big top, and absolutely fell in love with it. However I really couldn't imagine, taking my seat, that merging 'circus' and 'theatre' was a thing that would work in any way.
Combining contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over thirty jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen. It's more than a feast or the senses and every performer is exemplary in their craft.
Starting the evening with acrobatics, adding in some trapeze work and bringing a theatre-sized (but no less jaw dropping!) globe of death t the stage in Birmingham, Cirque Beserk lives up to its claims - and then some. From the second the music started, to the set coming to life and a gang of acrobats storming the stage, the entire audience was in the palm of their hand.
What sets Cirque Beserk apart from its peers is the attention to detail. Not only is this show 'created for the theatre' in terms of scale, but also in terms of set, lighting, music and costume. I felt like I was watching a Disney parade or sitting on a film set, jolted back into reality only by the applause at the end of each section.
Somehow, this show is pitched perfectly and fills a gap I wasn't even sure existed; merging contemporary circus with theatre spectacular and it holds your attention from the moment the lights go down. If you're a fan of contortionists shooting arrows with their feet, women on silks hurtling toward the stage and stopping inches above and fire - LOTS of fire, then this is definitely the show for you!
Cirque Beserk is on at the New Alexandra Theatre until Sunday 18th March. For more information, or to get your tickets, head to atgtickets.com/birmingham.
