Review: Moscow State Circus, Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Loosely based on the classic tale of The 12 Chairs – which inspired a Mel Brooks film of the same name in 1970 – the circus stars dazzled and entertained at the Civic Hall with their interpretation and charismatic warmth and agility. Most of the traditional circus acts were there, such as acrobats, clowns and jugglers.

And with performers like the gyrating juggling Sherbakovs, the high-flying Perushkins and Russian circus queen Yana Alievia creating tension on a revolving aerial chandelier, how could they go wrong?

The story was told with mime, music and humour by award-winning clowns Valik and Valerik.

There were also shades of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a live performing doll with mirrors was brought out – a telling sign was that the children in the audience were either mesmerised or laughing out loud.

The music was jolly but sometimes serious, especially when there was a touch of aerial ballet. Doing the splits in mid-air while upside down and suspended from the ceiling certainly takes some doing.

This was my first visit to the circus since I was a child but there were still plenty of "How did they do that?" moments, especially quick costume changes and people being sawn in half (and then the two halves dancing). The show featured a large cast of Russia's finest performers, and a highlight was undoubtedly The Whirlwind Rubsovsm troupe who acrobatically catapulted through the air.

We were reminded in places of the Oscar-winning silent movie The Artist, and it all goes to prove that circus entertainment is very much alive and kicking. Who needs CGI when entertainment can be this good?

Moscow State Circus continues at the Civic tonight with a matinee today at 4pm.

John Darby