With so many amazing shows available at Edinburgh Fringe it can be hard to tell what will suit your style. Underbelly’s flagship circus venue, the Circus Hub – a vibrant spot on the Meadows with a big top, Spiegeltent, bar and social area – challenged us to find a programme that would cater for all kinds of audiences. So Rosie Kelly spent a day hanging out at the Hub and curated her day with four very different shows. Take a look below and see: whether you’re a solo circus seeker or a family of four wanting to please all ages, we bet she saw something for you.
If you want: The best family circus show ever…
Go see: Tweedy’s Massive Circus
About the show: The legendary Tweedy the clown will astound you! Your 3-10 year olds will be transfixed! Tweedy and his crew (Reuben on piano, Sam his assistant, and Mrs Latrine, the posh funder of the show) are performing a classic 1900s circus… but none of the acts have turned up! Cue frantic show-saving tactics and madcap adventures for Tweedy.
Why it’s perfect for families: Bursting at the seams with constant slapstick, toilet humour, puns and double entendres. Plenty of fast paced gags, live musical numbers that don’t overstay their welcome, and the circus skills just keep on coming. A truly classic circus theatre experience that left every child in the room howling with laughter. Big nod to the other performers for trying to hold their own on stage next to the larger than life title character.
Why we loved it: A great display of skills mixed with child friendly humour and music. Tweedy is a delight. For children and those with a childlike sense of humour.
Whats in it: Clowning, vampires, tightwire walking (sort of), juggling, aerial silks, rola-bola, ladder, unicycle makes an appearance, audience interaction
Best trick of the show: Sam Goodburn walks a gaffer tape tight wire.
If you want to: Leave your jaw on the floor…
Go see: Ghost Light, by Machine De Cirque
About the show: This is a Quebec circus show featuring two cast members (Maxim Laurin and Guillaume Larouche) displaying their supreme teeterboard skills. The duo explore the trials of perfecting their craft, which is full of highs and lows (pun intended) as they seesaw between championing, then trying to undercut each other. Mysterious costume changes and a slow fading ending help create a world that sets this show firmly in the contemporary circus category.
Why it is jaw dropping: World record holding and genre breaking. The scenes on the board will blow your mind.
Why we loved it: Stunning physical tricks, surely the best teeterboard duo in the world!
Whats in it: Teeterboard, physical theatre
Best trick of the show: Too many to mention! Every routine offers the pinnacle of teeter skills or fun inventive surprises. (The real trick is the gradual cryptic reveal of the two characters’ story).
If you want: Some conjuring skills to go with your more conventional circus…
Go see: The Dreamer
About the show: James Phelan welcomes us to his Fringe show with style and humour, delivering four magic tricks and his worldly advice. A solo show held in The Beauty, a Spiegeltent venue, adding to the cabaret vibes and charm.
Why we loved it: Usually we cover highly physical circus shows but we are well experienced in the world of magic too, and it makes a nice change to see some magic tricks. The staff at the Underbelly Circus Hub are great at keeping an orderly and friendly venue. James gets some good laughs in, with friendly banter and audience jibes.
What’s in it: A card trick, a number trick and audience hypnosis. All tricks are mentalism style magic.
Best trick of the show: A lovely glow stick reveal is a great visual for the audience
If you want to see: a techno Japanese circus…
Go see: YOAH
About the show: Japan’s nouveau circus company, Cirquework, brings a misty dark tale to the Fringe. Featuring a variety of circus skills and group dance routines we follow a young child’s journey through the layers of spirits and gods. With a mix of aerial and ground based circus skills keeping the large big top filled to the dizzying heights, this company brings Circus Hub a real treat. Suitable for families, but little ones may find the imagery and costumes scary.
Why we love it: High energy and a big mix of skills. Costumes and music blend to create a great atmosphere.
Whats in it: Aerial silks, diabolo, swinging trapeze, staff, chair stacking, aerial hoop, acrobatic dance
Best trick of the show: The swinging trapeze act will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The full Circus Hub programme has a host of other shows that fit in, around, and between these four, featuring some international giants (think Circa, La Clique) and more intimate surprises (solo Cyr wheel, or a banging British birthday bash). The programme can be found at https://www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/whatson-venue/circus-hub, and remember there is also plenty of circus to be found in other venues around the city, so check out our social media pages for more reviews and tips.
