Rainbow warriors out to play

0 Universoul Circus is a riot of dazzling colour and wonder

to get more diversity under the big top, and he’s never lost sight of that goal.

There is a league of nations in this tent, and it’s interesting to see who excels

in what specialism.

When a security guard appears at the side of the stage clutching a fire extinguisher, you know things are going to get interesting. And sure enough, a few minutes later, a limbo dancer, part of the Caribbean Dynasty, is skirting flames just six inches from the floor.

If we feel sorry for her thighs, it’s nothing compared to our response to the Bone Breakers from Guinea in West Africa – one of whom arrives on stage the wrong way round, literally. The four contortionists can distort their bodies in a way that truly beggars belief, one half facing forwards, the other backwards. An owl-like head turning 360 degrees makes you wince as you watch.

No room to name-check everyone here, but the Nomads of Mongolia deserve a mention. There’s no shortage of acrobatic prowess as the Fringe, but their teeterboard act is one of the finest you’ll see: four bodies high, standing on heads and utterly fearless. KELLY APTER

Until 25 August. Today 5pm. Venue 13 (Venue 13) JJJ

The title of this show is a little silly; the production isn’t, and while the work of a student company from Toronto it has much to recommend it, well worth a turn off the lower Royal Mile to a venue that’s nicely removed from the melee.

In a lonely country house three childhood friends have reunited. Eliot, home from college, charmingly awkward in nerdy glasses, wants his old playmates Quinn and Riley to meet the new love in his life.

Thunder crashes and the lights go out, and there’s something seriously creepy about the new arrival.

The piece is loosely inspired by a true-crime story of organ theft, the “Dr Horror” case. But it’s also about the lost innocence and stormy loyalties of childhood. Eliot is haunted by the shadows of their friendship, who live with him on stage; shades of JM Barrie here. The interplay of older and younger Eliot was nicely poignant.

When in doubt on a crime plot, Raymond Chandler advised, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand. Or have a man with a white gown and a mask and medical tools in the wings, and get a good edge-of-theseat hour.

TIM CORNWELL

Until 18 August. Today 8:10pm.