Theatre Review: Circus Abyssinia, Underbelly Festival

★★★★½

Hypnotic, exciting, hold on to your seat type of stuff, Circus Abyssinia promised a performance that showcased the exceptional talent of their young performers and it did not disappoint.

Bibi and Bichu run this show, and they have a super fun, spectacular to watch, juggling section midway through. However, refreshingly, they don’t make themselves the stars. They make us laugh, they make us hold our breath whilst they juggle fire without even looking, they take their applause and then they leave, reminding us this is about showcasing new talent.

It is at times, mind bending. There’s two people in that photo, and it was just as hard to see where one ended and the other began watching it. I don’t know how people can make themselves bend and twist and turn the way the girls at Circus Abyssinia can. And I don’t want to. The way it feels like an other-worldly ability that I, a mere mortal, simply can’t do adds to the awe watching it.

A few minor stumbles were all that took you out of the moment, but they’re just getting back into the swing of things after not being able to perform for the last two years. It is an otherwise flawless show - the story of Derartu Tulu, the lighting, the music - all of it in combination with the extraordinary talent makes for a show you won’t forget. It’s got fire juggling, people jumping through rings of fire, aerial acrobatics, roller skating, and much more. It’s everything you want in a circus with the fun bonus of not a clown in sight. It is simply spellbinding.

Circus Abyssinia: Tulu is on at the Underbelly Festival, Earls Court Wednesday-Sunday until June 18th. Tickets are between £19 and £24, with shows at 7.30pm, and 2.30pm or 6pm on select days. It’s suitable for all ages so bring the whole family down!