10 Best Circus Acts of 2023

From big stunts to quirky moments, and the funny to the thrilling, here are the ten best things that I saw in a British big top in 2023. 

10 Nia Nikolova Jones, Treadmill, Circus Funtasia

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. I'm not sure if Nia walking on a treadmill to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 really counts as an 'act'. It's the lead-in to her juggling routine. But it's such a fun and engaging moment, and such an original use of a prop, that it really did steal the show. 

9 Whip-cracking, Circus Cortex, Kingdom of Winter

The front row of a circus is always a dangerous place to be. You might get water-pistoled by a clown, or conscripted into an act. But ringside was never scarier than at Circus Cortex's Christmas show, when the whip-cracker's female assistant stood right against the ring fence, a couple of feet from the audience and held up playing cards that were sliced in half by her whip-cracking partner. She then went through the fence and stood among the audience while he sliced straws in half. People were literally fleeing their seats for safer parts of the big top! But that's what the circus should be: dangerously exciting!

8 High-wire, Circus Vegas

Circus Vegas opened their show with a big act: a male and female high-wire duo. The crowd-wowing finale saw the female wire-walker stand on her partner's shoulders for a long and precarious descent of a sloping wire to the ground.

7 Kevin Kevin, Ringmaster, Big Kid Circus

Ringmasters are becoming a rare sight, with many shows opting for off-stage announcements or no introductions at all. But Kevin Kevin (yep, he's a double Kevin) really helps to engage the audience in the acts, especially during the opening flying trapeze act (notable for a flyer flying blindfolded and a climatic head-first drop to the net) when his commentary built up expectations for each trick. Ringmaster should be one of the safer circus acts, but Britain's first black ringmaster took his life in his hands by standing amid the circling motorbikes in the Globe of Death. He was also the assistant in a magic trick, vanishing from the cabinet before La Loka the clown shoved a set of metal spikes through it.

6 Mr Popol and Kakehole, Kakehole's Taxi, Snowstorm 3

You can't beat a clown car, and Britain's best-dressed clowns did a hilarious version of the taxi routine on the ice rink of Manchester's Trafford Centre. The climax saw the back of the car fall off, ejecting Popol, then pulling off his trousers as it left the arena. (read my review of Snowstorm 3 here)

5 Motorbike globe-jumping, Circus Zyair

I'd rather watch motorbikes jumping over a globe of death than spinning inside it. It's an incredibly powerful and unexpected sight to see a motorbike roaring high in the air in the indoor environment of a big top. I first saw the leaping bikes at Circus Extreme, and their bikes still probably go highest, because they have the headroom. A similar display caused a wow at Planet Circus. But there was something particularly raw about seeing the stunt performed in the relatively small space of the Circus Zyair tent. Rather than a climax to the act, they also used the the leaps as an entrance, with each biker leaping over the globe before joining his teammates inside it.

4 Laura Miller, Hoop and water plunge, Circus Extreme

Half aerialist and half mermaid, Miller's act involves being periodically plunged into a tank of water, then hoisted high into the roof of Britain's biggest big top to strike poses on a hoop with the water spraying off her. The climax saw the surface of the water set on fire, turning the tank into an inferno. The crowd let out a collective gasp as Miller abruptly let go of the hoop and plunged several body lengths into the water, the splash extinguishing the flames. (you can read my review of Circus Extreme here)

3 BMX Bikes, Cirque Berserk, Winter Wonderland

In a high-octane show as a whole, the real edge-of-the-seat moment had to be a biker standing up on his front wheel and hopping over the limbs of a lady laying in a star shape on the ground, missing her by inches. (read my review of Cirque Berserk here)

2 Duo Stefaneli, Quick change, Planet Circus

The Duo Stefaneli performed a truly death-defying series of hangs from a flying saucer trapeze bar during one of their acts at Planet Circus. But it was their other act, a fun and frothy quick change routine that stole the show, thanks to their personal chemistry, charisma and probably the catchiest music in any big top this year. In a business that is good at producing 'acts' but rarely produces 'stars', as in personalities we can identify as individuals, rather than by what they do, these two have real star power. (read my review of Planet Circus here)

1 Alex the Fireman, revolving ladder, Circus Fantasia

Earlier in the year I posted about Alexandru Lupu under the heading, Is This The Best Circus Act In The UK Today? (You can read it here) And although I've seen many great acts since, none has beaten it. Mixing slapstick and thrills, fire and water, Alex spinning perilously on his ladder is the best bit of physical comedy since the great stunts of Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd in the days of silent film. Alex the Fireman isn't just the best act in the circus today, he's a one-man circus!

Alex the Fireman
Photo credit: Bina Fellowes Photography

 

Review: Planet Circus OMG

What makes a great circus moment? Sometimes it's a big stunt. Sometimes it's something funny and quirky. Planet Circus OMG! has both, and so does the Duo Stefaneli (pictured above).

I first saw the Duo Stefaneli when I was writing my book, Circus Mania. They were appearing in the Great British Circus in the year that it presented the last elephants to appear in a British big top. In an animal-heavy programme that included the tigers of Martin Lacey Sr, they formed the main acrobatic act, performing daring hangs from a trapeze bar beneath a hovering flying saucer.

In the book, I wrote: "It's hard to imagine a more thrilling form of entertainment than Stefan and Neli deliver."

So it was good to see them back with their flying saucer at Planet Circus this year.

The act seemed higher in the truly towering Planet Circus big top and much better lit, too, with lasers flickering around their alien-themed act.

For me, though, the true highlight of the show was their other act, a quick change routine in which the couple repeatedly changed outfits while momentarily concealed in a raised fabric tube.

Circus acts go in and out of fashion, and quick change seemed to be the flavour of the season on the circus scene in 2023. There were similar acts at Big Kid Circus and Santus Circus this year. The one at Santus was particularly well thought out, being staged as a couple choosing their outfits for a night out.

But the Duo Stefaneli gave it a special charm, thanks to infectious electro-Latin dance music and the couple's natural charisma. 

The climax saw Stefan tip an umbrella full of golden glitter over Neli's head. She twirled once in the sparkling downpour and was changed into a new dress before our eyes - a truly amazing illusion! 

If I were them, I would do more of that sort of comedy magic. Not only is it safer than dangling by an ankle and wrist from a flying saucer, but I would say it is a much more engaging, entertaining and memorable act.

Another of the show's most engaging moments was Lukinha the Clown using a balloon 'bow' to fire an invisible arrow at a balloon held above the head of a volunteer from the audience. With everyone watching Lukinha, only the keenest eyed spectator would have noticed German Wheel performer Krisztian lurking in the shadows off stage and reaching out with a pin on the end of a long pole to burst the target balloon at the right moment!

Speaking of little things that make a big impact, Jenny Glowacki performed an energetic cloud swing routine to a Celtic rock soundtrack. Cloud swing is another of those in fashion acts that every circus seemed to have this year, and it's a stirring act in its own right. What set Jenny's apart, was her spontaneous shouts of "Whoo!" conveying her unbridled exuberance at swinging through the air. She looked and sounded as excited as a kid on a park swing - and that level of energy was infectious.

The wild look on her face when she finally descended to the ground was a picture.

An element of personality and engagement with the audience is often missing from circus acts. We may marvel at the feats performed, but we seldom come away remembering the performer as a person. It's why circus has very few star names, individuals who would draw an audience in their own right. Throughout history there has been no more than a handful, and they tend to be clowns, such as Charlie Cairoli, or the present day's Danny Adams, who has been the main draw in the pantomime at the Newcastle Theatre Royal for the past ten years.

Performers like Jenny Glowacki and the Duo Stefanali bring a little bit more personality to their routines than most, and I wish more performers would.

A performer who combined the big with the quirky was juggler and strong man, Iran. Juggling hoops and clubs is one thing, but watching a man hurling three heavy car tyres high into the air is truly the sort of unusual sight that you go to a circus to see.

Not content with that, he then lay down while a monster truck with blaring horns and headlights was driven over his chest. Now that is circus!

The truck was a star in its own right. When I first saw the Duo Stefaneli at the Great British Circus, you could have your photo taken with an elephant during the interval. At Planet Circus, interval photos were with the big red truck.

Top of the bill was a Globe of Death - an act that I feel has been in fashion a few seasons too long. The first time I ever saw one, it was impressive. But every circus seems to drag one out at the end of the night these days. Even with five illuminated bikes buzzing around inside the spherical cage, like a bunch of angry trapped wasps, as we had here, I find it a bit done to death, and even tiresome.

Luckily, the huge height of the Planet Circus tent allows them to go further with a finale of motorbikes racing into the tent, hitting a ramp and flying over the globe, before landing somewhere beyond the ring doors. It's a truly heart-stopping stunt to witness at an indoor show and one that I think is only being done elsewhere at Circus Extreme (read my review here) as few circuses have a tall enough tent to accommodate it. 

The flying bikes justify the OMG! in the title, although I would prefer them to just have the stunt bikes and not the globe riders. Maybe they could do other things in the show, like jumping through a fiery hoop or leaping over the monster truck. Or maybe a line of them running over Iran.

The bits I will remember, though, are the Duo Stefaneli's quick change routine, Lukinha's balloon bow and arrow and Jenny Glowacki's "Whoo!"s on the cloud swing. 

Planet Circus OMG! will be presenting its Christmas Spectacular at the Lincolnshire Showground, 12 December to 2 January. For more info click here.

 

RIP Doktor John Haze of the Circus of Horrors

The late Doktor John Haze (right) with Gerry Cottle (left)

and Circus Mania author Douglas McPherson

I received the sad news this morning of the death of Doktor John Haze, founder of the Circus of Horrors and director of Britain's biggest big top show, Circus Extreme.

Haze had a storybook life. Abandoned on a circus as a baby, he was brought up as a fire-eater in the big top. He later left the sawdust circle to form a band, then combined rock music and circus tricks to create the Circus of Horrors in partnership with Gerry Cottle.

As well as performing as singing ringmaster in the Horrors, Haze handled publicity for the Chinese State Circus and Moscow State Circus. Following the retirement of circus mogul Brian Austen, Haze became director of Circus Extreme and Continental Circus Berlin.

Like Cottle, Haze was a master of the publicity stunt and frequently got the Horrors into the national news or on the front page of the Sun with far-fetched stories. He achieved several Guinness World Records and took the Horrors onto TV on Britain's Got Talent.

On stage in white face makeup, he played a demonic character, but off stage he was a gentle person. 

An example of his generosity was attending the launch party of my book Circus Mania at the then Circus Space (Now National Centre for Circus Arts) where he and Cottle signed books for circus fans. 

Read my review of Circus Extreme here.

Read my exclusive interview with Brian Austen, the 'secret showman' here.

And read the story of the Circus Mania launch party here.

 

Circus Extreme coming to Glasgow - Review of Britain's biggest and best circus

It has been said that circuses thrive in a recession. They offer a comparatively inexpensive night out and, since they come to your town, they bring little of the travel and parking problems/expenses associated with many other forms of entertainment. When times are hard, though, they have to provide value for money and plenty of bang for your buck.

Circus Extreme, from the producers of the Circus of Horrors and Continental Circus Berlin, does both in spades. Although ringside seats are advertised at £32, concessions mean you can get into Britain's biggest big top for as little as £9 - and for that you will will see what I reckon must be Britain's most spectacular circus in terms of the number of thrilling acts.

The finale is actually the most stunning act I have seen in a big top. The Globe of Death, in which motorcyclists race around inside a spherical cage, is in itself a far from unique act and in fact has become somewhat passe - you can see one in many big tops this year. Even the fact that the Circus Extreme globe splits into two hemispheres, with bikes circling both the top and bottom halves is not a unique innovation. Zippos and Santus have globes that do the same trick this year.

What makes Circus Extreme stand out is the way the stunt riders jump Evel Kneivel-style over the globe at the routine's climax. The bikes come roaring in through the front of the tent, hit a ramp and leap into the very top of the roof space, crossing the whole ring and the towering globe at its centre, before landing on an inflatable ramp and careering out through the back doors.

As the bikes fly through the air, the riders leave their mounts - bodies and legs flying high above their machines - hanging on to just the handlebars or saddles. The last two riders, following each other in quick succession, perform death-defying somersaults above the globe, before landing safely.

Prior to this act, the most high-flying daredevilry that I have seen in a circus is performers taking flight from a Russian swing - an act that can make the flying trapeze look tame. The stunt riders go every bit as high, if not higher, than a Russian swing troupe, however, and the fact that they are on motorbikes (and in an indoor venue) adds its own high-octane thrill. 

The motorcycle leaps at Circus Extreme are worth the ticket price alone, but there are plenty of other dramatic stunts to witness.

Given its thrilling finale, the show I saw actually got off to a dull start with a singer (never an act that looks especially at home in a circus) performing a ballad that might be titled Better Days Are Coming. It appears to be about moving on from the Covid years, and as a group of performers file in behind the singer, dressed as policemen and NHS workers, holding signs that proclaim 'Hope' and 'Freedom', the message seems a bit heavy handed. Do we even  want to be reminded, during what is supposed to be a night of escapism?

Despite the ballad's apparently upbeat message, I found the music rather gloomy - although I've since been told that the singer had lost her voice on that occasion and had to sing in a lower register than normal. I'm assured the song is usually performed in a joyous way.

The show quickly moves on, however, into a succession of skilled acts, beginning with a male and female rollerskating duo.

Soon after, the male and female Ariel Duo Polischuk literally get the bit between their teeth. She hangs upside down with her jaws clamped around a short chain from which her revolving partner is also hanging from his teeth.

This is the sort of spectacle that circus should be about: things that you can't quite believe you're seeing. And while all circus skills are impressively beyond the capability of those of us watching at ringside, shows also need to find new and unique spectacles that we can't see at every circus that comes to town.

Sometimes the newness can be in the way an act is dressed. The trench-coat-clad Tony Garcia, for example, gets a gasp from the audience when he fires up an impressively large flame-thrower. He then performs an inverted juggling routine, bouncing countless balls on the roof of a car that he has set fire to. The skill is in the juggling, but it's the car and the flames licking around his boots that make the act into something special.

Another act improved immeasurably by the way it is staged involves Laura Miller on an aerial hoop who is periodically lowered into a glass tank of water, where she turns underwater somersaults like a mermaid. The climax to her routine sees her drop with heart-stopping speed into what has become a vat of fire.

Henry the Clown performs a number of silent routines throughout the programme, including a comedy waiter skit, but it's as part of a high-wire troupe, fresh from the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, that he really shines: riding a unicycle on the wire, 12 metres up, with another performer standing on his shoulders, juggling.

Henry has set a world record for skipping on the wire, with 211 skips in 60 seconds, but since that's three skips a second, the rope was moving too fast for me to count how many he managed on this occasion! Being a clown, Henry also did a cartoonish pretend fall - revolving under the wire and ending up back on top again! Sometimes the simple tricks have the most impact. A bit like the motorcycle leaps of the finale, really. Bikes leaping across the ring is a simple concept - but you won't see anything like it in most other circus tents - and it's those one-off experiences that have brought the punters to the circus for 250 years.

Although the Circus Extreme big top can hold a reported 3000 people, the circus is selling only 1000 seats, so Covid-nervous patrons won't have to fear being crammed together. Director John Haze reports strong ticket sales in each of the cities where Circus Extreme is playing for up to three weeks at a time - the longer than usual stays allowing the show to benefit from word-of-mouth sales. And deservedly so, because it's unlikely that any other British show is fielding such a strong bill this year.

For Circus Extreme tour dates, click here.

For a behind-the-scenes journey through the contemporary circus scene, with reviews of circuses of all types, both traditional and modern, plus interviews with big top owners and performers from clowns and sword-swallowers to trapeze artists and tiger trainers, read Circus Mania - The Ultimate Book for Anyone Who Dreamed of Running Away with the Circus!

Click here to read the 5-star reviews on Amazon.