La Clique – Underbelly Circus Hub

So the Edinburgh festival fringe may not be the hubbling, bubbling, hustling, bustling fest of the years gone by – post Covid it’s quieter slower and not as hectic, but tonight we’re at the circus!

We’re down in the Meadows where two huge circus rings (one wooden one) sit before us in a multi-effusion of colour. We’re trap trap trap trapping  to see what La Clique has added to their production, how their programme has developed and changed over the years. It’s three years since I was last under their canvas so I’m delighted to be here again to see it once more. What wonders will this wooden O hold? Tumblers, fumblers, bumblers? And a happy ending of course? Let’s wait and see …

And what we’re missing in weather is more than made up for in enjoyment, fun and excitement as the night is young and the silent disco trips past elegantly and, well, silently.

The flaps are pulled back …

No animals, no elephants, no tigers, no bears and a ring whose circumference is hardly bigger than that of an average family size jam jar. Eight performers (though we realise it’s only eight at the very end). What did we have? A lady who forgot to have a bath before the show so made up for it on stage. We had a sword swallower who has mastered her gag reflex and clearly knows the secret to happy marriage. We had a tap dancer which was hardly a circus act but he seem to having a good time so we let that go and many others. Oh and a nude hula hopper who performed, for reasons which will forever defeat me, with a working popcorn maker on her head! It’s a delight! It is wonderful, pure unadulterated circus. 1000 people took the roof off the place and it was a joy from beginning to end!

Reviewer: Peter Kinnock

Reviewed: 16th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: