For over 25 years Circus Oz has been delighting audiences throughout the world, and after seeing their performance at The Royal Festival Hall it’s easy to see why.

 This entertaining and spellbinding circus is a feast of humour, acrobatics, freak show, and fun, which is guaranteed to amaze the entire family. Young and old alike delighted in this mesmerising and entertaining piece of contemporary circus.

It’s difficult not to draw parallels between Circus Oz and the much more famous Cirque Du Soleil. Cirque has grown out of the success of Circus Oz as they pioneered contemporary circus 25 years ago, the two are so alike, yet so different. Circus Oz holds none of the pretentious and arty views of Cirque Du Soleil and thus is a hell of a lot more fun, Circus Oz is traditional and unique, it’s innovative and packs a punch. It doesn’t feature the heavily themed aspect of song, dance, set and costume as much as Cirque and is all the better for it. I left with a smile plastered across my face as you can’t help but enjoy every single second. 

From it’s fire-ball opening and enthralling upside down clown Circus Oz takes you on a whirlwind journey with its hugely talented and multi tasking cast working as musicians, clowns and acrobats! The show takes a loose story form, yet above it all is just a selection of acts, and fortunately clowns, which are actually funny. You won’t believe your eyes at times, and the upside down opening scene will live in my memory for a long time. 

The simple set was brought to life by effective yet basic lighting and the live soundtrack which had the toes tapping and the ears grinning!

Holding strong values and morals you instantly warm to the performers and admire their talents even more you will sit their open mouthed as you watch their strong women perform. The juggling of Sosina Wogayehu was delightfully captivating, Tim Coldwell played the perfect host and Matt Wilson’s flying skills were phenomenal. The human cannonball and pole climbing are true highlights but for me the most laughs, groans and screams came from the hilariously disgusting Captain Frodo, sheer brilliance.

This is a fun circus that doesn’t seem like a circus, this is real entertainment and something completely different. It’s on fire and truly enjoyable.

Run away and join the circus…before they head back to Oz!

"CIRCUS OZ" will play at the Royal Festival Hall every evening at 7.30pm, with 2.00pm matinees on 21, 22, 28 & 29 August and 4 & 5 September.  There will be no performances on 23, 24, 30 & 31 August. Tickets are priced from £12.50-£26.00, with tickets for under 16s from £10.00-£16.00, and are available from the Royal Festival Hall Box Office on 08700 600 777.

 “CIRCUS OZ” is presented by Raymond Gubbay and the South Bank Centre.

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