Great Moscow Circus

The Great Moscow Circus is an Aussie production, with performers coming from many parts of the globe. It’s toured a lot in that rough and ready way of travelling that stop in many regional and city areas, harboring various daredevil, classic and animal acts in its fold. Thankfully there are no animals in this production although there have been in recent years, according to the program.

With its tent compound of concession stands, carnival games and intimate seating area, it is old-school circus with old-school aesthetics in a litany of different offerings, almost like a variety show.

The “extreme” performances like BMX cage riding, wheel of death and bike/scooter acrobatics – acts that rely on daredevil stunts at high heights, inside metal wheels and flying through the air – are all ably performed.

These kinds of acts require particular set-ups and large props that need to be erected and disassembled on stage. Cumbersome set changes are done as smoothly as possible, but there’s still too many appearances of Gagik Avetisyan as a Charlie Chaplin-esque clown. He pulls out every predictable page of the clowning book.

Lackluster dance and singing accompaniment from a female ensemble use short routines of burlesque, jazz and hip hop to introduce some acts. An opening parade combines the women with all the performers with everyone standing together around the circular stage clapping awkwardly to an uninspiring rendition of "The Greatest Show."

BOOKING NECESSARY