Moscow State Circus

Published Friday 7 January 2005 at 10:45 by Liz Arratoon

Traditional circus does not always transfer smoothly from big top to theatre and even with the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Hall removed and the action taking place on a carpet ring, the Moscow State Circus fares better under canvas. The atmosphere feels strangely flat here.

Natalia Egorova’s elegant strap act is a highlight in a rather dreary first half, during which the artists, particularly the clowns (Foma and Yeryoma) struggle to interact with the audience.

Goussein Khamdoulaev frays a few nerves on various high wires with his son Vaguif, who doubles as ringmaster. Strongman Bakhrom Akhnazarov amazes the crowd by lifting extremely heavy weights and being run over by a jeep and the three Anichkin Wizards manipulate cube frames.

Things pick up after the interval with Evgeny Eskin’s Sky Travellers on well-combined flying trapeze/high bars and a second appearance from the Bugrova Sisters, who juggle while balancing on rola-rolas.

Trio Mikheev performs Pathos, a lovely act that provides one of the show’s true scary moments, with Margarita Egorova suspended from or balancing on a metal hoop structure spinning on Andrey Mikheev’s forehead.

Finally the Slavos on Russian swing and teeter boards ignite the audience by throwing all manner of tricks, including Denis Pirogov’s quintuple back somersault.

The Moscow State Circus is steeped in tradition but perhaps it is time to look ahead. Billed as a brand new show, the skills are all here but the overall look is dated. Less garish, more sophisticated costumes would increase its appeal for adults and still impress kids.