Moscow State Circus
As one of the ancient pillars of entertainment, one has certain expectations of a circus. Luckily, Moscow State Circus ticks all the boxes. Acrobats: check. Clowns: check. Animal cruelty: err, not in Britain, mate! Well, almost all the boxes…
Moscow State Circus offers the complete (21st century) package with a plethora of acts, spanning trapeze artists, clowns and impossible high-flying acrobatic tricks to some nerve-wrecking archery. However, the artists, while undoubtedly technically impressive and dedicated to their trade—with smiling faces and well-honed skills—are just a little too similar in style to really engage an audience for two full hours.
This should be no problem for kids, but for an adult audience it can all too quickly become slightly repetitive by the third time the acrobatic troupe enters to do another routine. There is little variety in the show, and most of the circus spend their time doing the same sort of acrobatic routines.
Technical issues are also a little problematic: not least, the noise from the smoke machine drowning out the slightly confusing Rasputin-themed storyline. Also, the Big Top on the Meadows gets rather cold in the braw Edinburgh weather, so bringing a warm jumper is definitely advisable – perhaps also some sunglasses to counteract the number of glowsticks waving around in the audience.
But, if you’re the circus-going, acrobatics-loving type The Moscow State Circus won’t let you down.