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An aesthetically impressive collection of highly polished performances, but which is torn between two worlds.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Roll up, roll up! The circus has arrived at Chiswick House and Gardens, and on a beautiful evening canvas tents and circus vans adorn the lawns, bringing a sense of excitement and the timeless feel of a traditional genre of performance. The package surrounding Les Enfants du Paradis at Gifford’s Circus is total and considered, offering everything from a sparkling glass of fizz at the door to popcorn and candy floss outside the tent. The costuming is impeccable and dazzling, the set design magical: it’s all aesthetically beautifully and as finely balanced as an acrobat. But somehow I left the performance appreciative, yet not completely convinced.
Let’s start by saying there is simply not a bad performance in this show. Every single act is excellent, from the astonishing and beautiful aerialists Soeurs des Étoiles (Marika Ashley Gould and Marina Luna) to the phenomenal live band Quel Fromage, to the amazing illusionist and hand-shadow artist Sergi Buka. These – and indeed all the performers – are at the top of their game (some at the top of the tent!). There were few acts I have not seen in some form elsewhere, but Buka’s fluid, transformative puppetry was outstandingly beautiful and remarkable. I was also genuinely astonished to see trapeze artist Alexander Saint-Michael walk upside down hanging from his feet across the space of the tent: this was truly breath-taking.
For me, a challenge arises where two worlds of ancient and modern collide. The marketed product is one stamped with classic French artistry, the tradition and magic of centuries of theatre-making and performance; it’s all there in the show and is wonderful. Songs from Les Mis and period pieces gel gorgeously with the vibe. However, there’s then a crossover, with a number of modern pop songs performed to beef up the atmosphere. Although fun, this battles against the established ambiance, undercutting the illusion. For example, the wonderful Nell O’Hara as Clair de Lune leads us through the evening in a sequinned 19th Century evening dress, a part that nods to Phantom of the Opera, but then she picks up a microphone and starts singing pop and disco numbers, which detracts from her characterisation.
I also felt a little uncomfortable with the performing ponies, adorable as they are. We’re reassured that animal welfare is of topmost importance, and I don’t have an argument with any claims on that, but it did seem an unnatural thing to ask to have them kneeling and bowing.
This is a very traditional circus given a dynamic modern twist. The audience loved every moment and were dancing in the ring by the end, so if you are looking for a mix of genres it could be for you. For me, I’d prefer it adhered to the one theme throughout, to fully immerse us in its otherwise spectacular illusion.
Directed by Cal McCrystal
Les Enfants du Paradis tours until Sunday 1 October. Dates and venues can be found here.
