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The Palace of Grand Illusion

Published Friday 20 November 2009 at 12:55 by Liz Arratoon

By night, Guy Barrett’s illusions form the centrepiece of a second show being staged in Zippos Circus tent at Winter Wonderland. Assisted by Sarah Miller and Kealy Ward, most of them are based on boxes such as the sword box and substitution trunk - or Metamorphosis. The girls are squished and dismembered and, most impressively, the sensationally glamorous Miller is sawn in two while strapped down by her neck and ankles.

They have a chance to get even when Barrett himself is put in yet another box and sliced into three, his torso being spun through 180 degrees.

Punctuating the illusions are circus acts by Georgetta on aerial netting - a sort of silks/static trapeze hybrid - and Kenya’s lively ten-strong Zulu Troupe, who perform quick-fire acrobatics and build human pyramids.

Best of all, however, is the hand to hand routine from the Chinese duo Xie Quiang and Zhangjian. Honed to perfection, they put their bodies through hell as they execute a range of stunning and unique lifts and balances, demonstrating strength and style in equal measure.

This Palace provides another very good reason to leave the rides, the food and the shopping of the grim Christmas village/fair outside in the cold.

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