Circus Hilarious is two hours of mad cap mayhem which allows the stars of the Theatre Royal Pantomime the opportunity to bring their own show to the very venue they pack out every Christmas.

After a slightly slow start, the show settles down and delivers the laughs we have come to expect from the father and son team, Clive Webb and Danny Adams. There are jokes and visual gags for all ages and it is more evident than ever that Danny Adams is one of the leading comics in the UK today. While they have won many awards and pack out the Theatre Royal every Christmas, Danny deserves to become a household name for his manic comedy.

Supporting Danny and Clive and Cousin Timoni, Mick Potts , Jonny Marx and a fabulous eccentric “Russian Professor” who performs an excellent comedy trampoline act, which is in the true traditions of variety theatre. His comedy timing and skill were a delight to watch.

There is plenty of audience participation and several male members found themselves hauled on stage assisting Danny in a routine featuring a five foot unicycle.

There is no doubting Danny, is the star and the person the audience have come to see and he does not fail to deliver. From sight gags to telling jokes, he has the ability to have the audience eating out the palm of his hand and begging for more.

As the cast take their curtain call, we are clapping along to “Join the Circus” from the smash hit circus musical Barnum and what better way is there to end a show set in a circus ring.

Circus Hilarious sets us up nicely for Clive and Danny returning in the pantomime Robin Hood later this year and I for one am already counting the days.

- by John Dixon