Mark’s Score: 5 Stars
Can it be almost 50 years since I have been to a traditional grand scale big top circus? Certainly events such as Cirque du Soleil, La Fura dels Baus and our very own Circus Oz and The Flying Fruit Fly Circus have come my way over the years. However Zirk! brings together all these style and is presenting this 5-star show in Sydney until July 21.
Unlike my previous big top spectacular experience this is mercifully, like most present day circuses, animal free. In place of man and beast acts we are treated to the most extraordinary feats of human skill and endurance. The international cast is chiefly made up of Russian circus ensembles along with specialty acts from around the world. The simple structure of the show pays tribute to the long established Russian circus tradition which 
dates back many 100s of years. Introducing the artists is the ringmaster and his sidekick clown (Stanislav Knyazkov and Vasili Trifonov). “Stas” is an accomplished clown and juggler himself and “Vas” supports the master clown Dmitry Shindrov. I have never been a great fan of clowns – some childhood trauma no doubt derived from Hollywood circus themed films where it is revealed that it is the clown whodunnit. The Zirk clowns have finally cured me as their skits produce great laughter and mayhem.
Acrobatics and dance seem to merge in the balletic skills of aerialist Katya Rubtsova and Anton Markov, and in the rambunctious dexterity of the fast track acrobats The Rubtsov Group in their homage to Italian jesters along with their faux Scottish skipping troupe The McRubtsov’s – clearly circus runs in the veins of that family. From Dagestan “the man of rubber” Emin Abdullaev ‘nauseates’ with his stunning contortions in his act Man in a Glass Box.
Guest stars range from the very agile USA and Canadian The Catwall Trampoline Troupe, through to The Gerling Troupe – four men who mesmerise with their fearless antics high upon four tonnes of spinning double giant wheels. Further versatility and balancing prowess is found in Australia’s own Sascha Williams’ Rola Bola demonstration. For me the highlight is the old school vaudevillian acts of quick change artists Sixto and Lucia, who hail from Havana, and Mexican juggler Juan Pablo Martinez. The latter stuns with an extended sombrero juggle which takes in the whole arena and then some. Many years ago I became obsessed with Italians Ennio Marchetto and Arturo Brachetti and their extraordinarily camp transformations. Quick change has it all, as do Secto and Lucia, and to my mind this firmly combines cabaret, burlesque and music hall specialty acts. It is great to see it finding a home at the circus.
The evening is topped off with an insanely dangerous presentation by The Douglas Gerling Daredevils which cannot be exposed here. Suffice it to say, it is truly death defying. The gasps from the mostly young and family audience was a wonder. Watching others thrilled by the shared experience, my 13-year-old niece included, warms the heart. One hopes that thousands will be converted to theatre and other live entertainments. It’s happening now before your eyes, and not on your device. Go see!!!
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now
Photography: Lindsay Kearney, Lightbox Photography
Zirk!
Russia’s Big Top Circus Spectacular
6 – 12 Jul 2019
Thu & Fri 7:30
Sat 12pm, 4pm & 7:30pm
Sun 11am & 3pm
Wed 4pm
Venue: The Showring, the Entertainment Quarter
Moore Park
Theatre Company: In association with the Russian State Circus Company and Moscow’s Nikulin Circus
Australian producers, Andrew Guild and Simon Bryce (Theatre Tours International)
Duration: N /A
ZIRK! – Russia’s Big Top Circus Spectacular combines the thrills and fun of the circus of yesteryear with all the skills and daring of today’s new age circus heroes.
Showcasing the best of Russia, together with a collection of internationally celebrated circus stars from Cuba, Germany, Colombia, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the USA – many of the ZIRK! artists have worked with the world’s truly great circuses including such prestigious companies as Moscow’s Nikulin Circus, the Russian State Circus, the Moscow Bolshoi Circus, Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey, Circus Krone, Cirque Du Soleil, Monte Carlo Circus Festival, the Swiss National Circus Knie, Roncalli and Flic Flac.
ZIRK! is a spectacular program of effortless grace, enthusiasm, passion, and energy; gravity-defying, death-cheating thrills; traditional circus comedy; and acts, so audacious in their concept and execution, they will momentarily stop your heart.
‘We gasped and were amazed at the same time’ – Metro FM
Ticket Prices
$45 – $145
