Take danger for a spin
Cirque Berserk!
Pleasance at EICC (Venue 150)
With the rise of contemporary circus or “nouveau cirque”, it’s unusual to find a troupe that just wants to entertain, not tell a story. But with Cirque Berserk!, you know the circus has come to town, old-school style.
With more than 30 performers, toting a wide range of skills, the company has no interest in moments of quiet contemplation. Once the music and sound effects start, they never stop, and it’s melodrama or slapstick all the way.
Although, to be fair, some of these acts are so fearless, they deserve the hyped-up atmosphere created around them. For alongside the usual acrobats and aerial artists delivering high quality somersaults, high balances, hand-to-hand lifts, pole-work and more, Cirque Berserk! features some unique acts.
France’s Germaine Delbosq is, we’re told, one of the world’s finest foot jugglers – and you’d be forgiven for not knowing that was even a thing. Lying on a chair with her legs in the air, she spins and tosses boxes, balls and even a ring of blazing fire with her feet.
At one point she balances a large cylinder on one foot, twirls a hoop with the other and juggles three balls with her hands. It’s the rub your tummy/tap your head task times a thousand.
Dicing with death on a daily basis for our delectation, is husband and wife duo Toni and Nikol from the Czech Republic – although strictly speaking, Nikol is the only one in danger. Strapped to a moving board, she spins round at speed while her husband throws knives at her. Now that’s trust for you.
But the true ace in Berserk’s pack is the Lucius Team – because once you’ve seen four motorcyclists drive at 60mph inside a round cage and not hit each other, you’ll believe pretty much anything is possible.
Until tomorrow. Today 1:30pm & 6pm.