REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CIRQUE BERSERK!
Real Circus made for Theatre
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND ON SEA
Wed 18th – Sun 22nd September 2019
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CIRQUE BERSERK!
Real Circus made for Theatre
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND ON SEA
Wed 18th – Sun 22nd September 2019
The circus has come to town and this time there's no tent to pitch up because this circus has been made especially to entertain theatre audiences. Straight from a sell-out West End run and nationwide tour including the Edinburgh Festival, Cirque Berserk! is making its debut at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion, and boy, were we in for a spectacular treat!
These days we see a whole load of circus type entertainment on the tv but nothing can really prepare you for seeing these acts live. The music is loud and the audience is even louder as we clap and gasp our way throughout each thrilling performance with these talented and highly disciplined artistes.
There are 35 of them in all and the night begins with the Timbuktu Tumblers who transform themselves acrobatically into human pyramids and all sorts of crazy shapes as well as limbo under jaw-droppingly low fire lit limbo poles. Gabriel and Germaine whizz fire fuelled bolas around to the rhythm of the drums and Melissa and Milo show off some amazing balancing skills. The Revolution Troupe catapult themselves through the air and Jackie - all the way from the UK - flings herself around whilst dangling from the bottom of an ariel strap, hoisted high above the stage.
All of the performers look stunning with some highly imaginative and beautiful costumes and the flow of each act is cleverly choreographed in an almost storylike way, seamlessly moving into the next act. There is very much a traditional Victorian style to the costumes but with very much a modern day twist to the acts.
The excitement is heightened when the Globe of Death is brought to the fore at the end of Act 1 and Lucius and one of his team motorcycles not only at great speed around inside it but also with his wife, Anna, standing, with a huge grin, inside too! In between acts we are treated to the comedic and acrobatic talents of Brazilian born, Paulo dos Santos, who despite being just 3ft 6ins proves that size is certainly no barrier when it comes to displaying some outstanding circus skills - a real favourite with the audience.
Knife thrower, Toni, chucks knives and axes at his wife Nikol, who does seem to mind too much as she flirtily flicks her long black hair from side to side as he throws each sharp weapon around her body; and Fidel Silot amazes with his 20 foot chair stacking tower which he balances atop. Germaine Delbosq's foot juggling skills are a sight to behold and Laci Fossett's aerial pole act is something that is rarely seen in circuses these days, I am told. There's even a huge Transformers style robot which comes on shooting fire which produced screams of terror from the small boy sitting behind me and may have made us jump a little bit, and not for the first time during the evening!
I haven't been to the circus since I was a small child and watching Cirque Berserk! made me feel like I was an excited 10 year old again. You cannot help but find yourself in complete awe at what these outstandingly skillful performers can do.
The highlight, of course, is saved until last as the Globe of Death returns with not just two bikes whizzing around in there at speeds of 60mph, but an unbelievable, three, then four and then astonishingly and horrifyingly five of them heart-stoppingly speed around the Globe much to the delight of the thrilled audience. I was lucky enough to be asked to go inside the Globe of Death yesterday and stood with Anna as two of the bikes whizzed around me. It was terrifying. (Check it out below plus interview with Paulo and Germaine) The thought of five of them in there and going at the speed they do, just completely astounds me. This is the reason, I've no doubt, that the Globe of Death has the reputation of being THE world's most dangerous circus act! This isn't just a circus, this is totally berserkus!
With 35 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen, this really is entertainment for all ages, at its very best!
Review: Kim Tobin
Tickets still available for this week - see below for details.
These days we see a whole load of circus type entertainment on the tv but nothing can really prepare you for seeing these acts live. The music is loud and the audience is even louder as we clap and gasp our way throughout each thrilling performance with these talented and highly disciplined artistes.
There are 35 of them in all and the night begins with the Timbuktu Tumblers who transform themselves acrobatically into human pyramids and all sorts of crazy shapes as well as limbo under jaw-droppingly low fire lit limbo poles. Gabriel and Germaine whizz fire fuelled bolas around to the rhythm of the drums and Melissa and Milo show off some amazing balancing skills. The Revolution Troupe catapult themselves through the air and Jackie - all the way from the UK - flings herself around whilst dangling from the bottom of an ariel strap, hoisted high above the stage.
All of the performers look stunning with some highly imaginative and beautiful costumes and the flow of each act is cleverly choreographed in an almost storylike way, seamlessly moving into the next act. There is very much a traditional Victorian style to the costumes but with very much a modern day twist to the acts.
The excitement is heightened when the Globe of Death is brought to the fore at the end of Act 1 and Lucius and one of his team motorcycles not only at great speed around inside it but also with his wife, Anna, standing, with a huge grin, inside too! In between acts we are treated to the comedic and acrobatic talents of Brazilian born, Paulo dos Santos, who despite being just 3ft 6ins proves that size is certainly no barrier when it comes to displaying some outstanding circus skills - a real favourite with the audience.
Knife thrower, Toni, chucks knives and axes at his wife Nikol, who does seem to mind too much as she flirtily flicks her long black hair from side to side as he throws each sharp weapon around her body; and Fidel Silot amazes with his 20 foot chair stacking tower which he balances atop. Germaine Delbosq's foot juggling skills are a sight to behold and Laci Fossett's aerial pole act is something that is rarely seen in circuses these days, I am told. There's even a huge Transformers style robot which comes on shooting fire which produced screams of terror from the small boy sitting behind me and may have made us jump a little bit, and not for the first time during the evening!
I haven't been to the circus since I was a small child and watching Cirque Berserk! made me feel like I was an excited 10 year old again. You cannot help but find yourself in complete awe at what these outstandingly skillful performers can do.
The highlight, of course, is saved until last as the Globe of Death returns with not just two bikes whizzing around in there at speeds of 60mph, but an unbelievable, three, then four and then astonishingly and horrifyingly five of them heart-stoppingly speed around the Globe much to the delight of the thrilled audience. I was lucky enough to be asked to go inside the Globe of Death yesterday and stood with Anna as two of the bikes whizzed around me. It was terrifying. (Check it out below plus interview with Paulo and Germaine) The thought of five of them in there and going at the speed they do, just completely astounds me. This is the reason, I've no doubt, that the Globe of Death has the reputation of being THE world's most dangerous circus act! This isn't just a circus, this is totally berserkus!
With 35 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen, this really is entertainment for all ages, at its very best!
Review: Kim Tobin
Tickets still available for this week - see below for details.
REVIEWS:
The Daily Express ★★★★★
"This amazing show is like Cirque du Soleil on steroids...brings the big boys to the big top in an outrageous, death-defying circus that will leave you gasping for breath. Anarchic and outrageous, this is gripping grown up fun that makes you wish you were a kid again so you could run away and join the circus."
Jeffrey Taylor, The Sunday Express ★★★★ 'Words (almost) fail me. In a lifetime of theatregoing, on both sides of the footlights, I have never seen anything like it'
'If your life is currently short on thrills, this could be the answer.'
The Sun ★★★★★ “Great for kids and even better for adults!”
Primary Times Children's Choice Awards review of Cirque Beserk!★★★★★
“Quite simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life.”
Time Out ★★★★ “Heart-stoppingly good fun”
Daily Telegraph “Leaves one breathless with excitement”
The Times ★★★★ "A NutriBullet of contemporary circus! Properly thrilling... your eyes will be fixed on the stage"
PRAISE FROM JUST A FEW OF THE SHOWS MANY FAMOUS FANS:
“It’s proper death defying. I mean there were things going on that I couldn’t believe I was seeing on a stage a spellbinding show!”
JEREMY VINE
“the most amazing circus performance I’ve ever seen” JOHN BERCOW
“Cirque Berserk - incredible.” JUDY MURRAY
“The physicality of it is just incredible. It’s amazing!” TONY HADLEY
“It was brilliantly choreographed it’s just amazing, everything about it was extraordinary”
LADY COLIN CAMPBELL
“incredible” ZISSMAN
“I didn’t think you could get that big top experience in the theatre but it’s incredible it’s unbelievable!”
DAVID MORGAN
The Daily Express ★★★★★
"This amazing show is like Cirque du Soleil on steroids...brings the big boys to the big top in an outrageous, death-defying circus that will leave you gasping for breath. Anarchic and outrageous, this is gripping grown up fun that makes you wish you were a kid again so you could run away and join the circus."
Jeffrey Taylor, The Sunday Express ★★★★ 'Words (almost) fail me. In a lifetime of theatregoing, on both sides of the footlights, I have never seen anything like it'
'If your life is currently short on thrills, this could be the answer.'
The Sun ★★★★★ “Great for kids and even better for adults!”
Primary Times Children's Choice Awards review of Cirque Beserk!★★★★★
“Quite simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life.”
Time Out ★★★★ “Heart-stoppingly good fun”
Daily Telegraph “Leaves one breathless with excitement”
The Times ★★★★ "A NutriBullet of contemporary circus! Properly thrilling... your eyes will be fixed on the stage"
PRAISE FROM JUST A FEW OF THE SHOWS MANY FAMOUS FANS:
“It’s proper death defying. I mean there were things going on that I couldn’t believe I was seeing on a stage a spellbinding show!”
JEREMY VINE
“the most amazing circus performance I’ve ever seen” JOHN BERCOW
“Cirque Berserk - incredible.” JUDY MURRAY
“The physicality of it is just incredible. It’s amazing!” TONY HADLEY
“It was brilliantly choreographed it’s just amazing, everything about it was extraordinary”
LADY COLIN CAMPBELL
“incredible” ZISSMAN
“I didn’t think you could get that big top experience in the theatre but it’s incredible it’s unbelievable!”
DAVID MORGAN
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CIRQUE BERSERK! SOUTHEND CAST
The Lucius Team The astonishing Lucius Team presents a petrol-fuelled hair-raiser: The motorcycle Globe of Death - live on stage for the first time in the UK. Hold your breath and raise the roof as up to 5 bikers ride upside down in the globe at speeds of up to 60mph. The louder you scream, the faster they go! The Timbuktu Tumblers Taking acrobatic art from the streets of Africa to a whole new level, The Timbuktu Tumblers present an incredible display of pyramids, jumping through hoops and flaming limbo poles, set to blow you away with their energy and skill. Bolas Argentinas Most famously used by the gauchos (Argentinian cowboys), Gabriel and Germaine make the tradition throwing weapons “bolas” their own in a dangerous display of daring and talent. Do not try this at home! Elberel Mongolian Elberel is the most remarkable archer you'll ever see. Not only does she shoot an arrow with perfect aim, she does so with her feet while performing a handstand! The Tropicana Troupe This outstanding troupe all the way from Cuba catapult themselves high into the air as they perform a range of incredible tricks from flick flacks to somersaults! Jackie “The higher the better” is the motto of strap acrobat Jackie from the United Kingdom, who performs hair-raising tricks mid-air to the astonishment of audiences. Germaine Delbosq Germaine from France is one of the most skilled foot jugglers of our time, able to throw and catch balls, rings, cubes and even flaming object with her feet! Toni and Nikol Nothing will prepare you for the speed with which the Czech knife thrower Toni hurls knives and axes towards the board...while his wife Nikol skillfully avoids them! Laci High above the stage, Laci demonstrates his amazing skill, strength and artistry in this rarely-performed aerial pole act. Zula Zula is a Mongolian master of the Tower of Chairs; one of the oldest thrill acts in the world. Despite its age, the stunt has lost nothing of its thrilling quality. Giant Robot Our giant, fire breathing robot is a favourite with audiences, that needs to be seen to be believed! Berserk Aerial Ballet Our amazing aerial artistes Naiomi (Hungary), Belkis (Cuba) and Sarah (UK) glide fearlessly through the air on hoops and silks. Paulo Dos Santos The Brazilian star of Ringling Brothers Circus will amaze and entertain with his fearless physical comedy. Combining high-speed tumbling, daring acrobatics and bags full of humour Paulo will be sure to leave you in stitches! |
For full tour dates, show times and tickets please visit www.cirqueberserk.co.uk
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend on Sea, Essex SS0 7RA DAYS AND TIMES Wednesday 18 September 7:30pm Thursday 19 September 7:30pm Friday 20 September 7:30pm Saturday 21 September 2:00pm, 5.00pm and 7.30pm Sunday 22 September 3:00pm PRICES & BOOKING Tickets: priced at £15.50 – £29.50 FOR ALL SHOWS Book online: https://southendtheatres.org.uk/Online/tickets-cirque-berserk-southend-2019 Box Office – 01702 351135 Monday – Saturday, 10am – 8pm ∙ Please note the show is not suitable for under 5’s. https://www.cirqueberserk.co.uk
Twitter: @CirqueBerserkUK Facebook: @cirqueberserk Instagram: cirqueberserk |