Cirque Du Ciel – ShangHi (Tour – Salford)

Lovers of traditional circus won’t miss the sawdust and clowns.  For what travelling circus would have a filmed projection setting the scene for the story of a girl who dreams of becoming an acrobat? None would present a backdrop of swirling colours to add to those of 500 glittering costumes and dramatic lighting effects.
 
Not a ringmaster but spirits of the Sun and Moon guide the girl to a magic box which opens to reveal the remarkable skill and balance of the well trained performers. There aren’t any clowns but there is plenty of humour particularly in the hat-juggling scene. That is just one of many remarkable examples of juggling skill.  In another smoothly changing scene, women toss drums around. They also play them to accompany the thumping Western sound track alongside an on stage percussionist who performs throughout.
 
There is beauty, too. The ballet scene in Act 2 is graceful and the balance exceeds anything you’d see in a traditional ballet. The diablos, hooping and aerial silks are just a few of the difficult acts which the performers make to look so easy. But it is the sheer courage and audacity of the performers which take your breath away.

Aerial displays and the nail-biting performances on the 20 ft high Chinese monkey poles are the essence of circus. You’ll look up and down, left and right with dazzling disbelief. ShangHi is a must see.

– Julia Taylor