Cirque Eloize: Cirkopolis at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh Review
Cirque Eloize: Cirkopolis
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
1-4 April 2015
Reviewed by Debbie Douglas
The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh is a modern yet stunning theatre which is easily accessible by bus and is about a twenty minute walk from the train station. There is not too much parking nearby so I would recommend the bus or walking. It has excellent facilities and friendly staff.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this show but from the minute I sat down to the minute I left I was hooked. I cannot emphasise how amazing this show is. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath and covered my eyes. I felt pure joy. The emotion this fantastic cast of only 13 puts you through is incredible.
The show starts with some atmospheric music and then moves on to flashing lights and static noises, you could feel the tension building in the theatre as the anticipation heightened. The stage is simply set with a desk and chair and the colours of the set and clothes is grey to symbolise the monotony of working in a standard factory or office, the nine until five job. A man sits stamping paperwork over and over again. He is lifted from the humdrum by the other 12 cast. The show integrates dance, gymnastics, theatre and circus and it comes together beautifully. I would like to choose a favourite part of the show but I can’t I loved it all. I loved the Chinese pole where Maude, Mikael and Olivier perfected shapes of beauty and strength with such ease it was incredible and something called the Cyr wheel performed by Lea which was just a joy to watch. Special mention must be made to the musical score which suited the show’s different acts so well. Every detail has thought out. The tension of the show is lifted by the initial “grey” man, Ashley whose comical antics had the audience chuckling away with my particular favourite dancing with a dress. This was a very important part of the show as most of the acts have no mats and or safety wires and it does get tense.
Another favourite act was Maria who managed to make her body do things that would be a yoga instructors dream. She bent into shapes that I didn’t even think were possible. Charlotte and Nicolas have perfected hand to hand gymnastics; I still cannot believe they perform with no mats. The German Wheel with Joris, Mikael, Yann, Olivier, Nicolas, Frederic and Jonathon was superb as well. The trust and skill needed by these performers is second to none. Ugo’s strength performing hand stands on poles had the audience amazed and entranced as the poles got higher and higher. I have never seen juggling as fast paced and as skilled but highly entertaining at the same time the cast made it look so easy.
The show is brought to a stunning climax using the teeterboard. The cast are flying through the air tumbling and jumping it is a mash of exquisite delight with the slight fear that they might fall but the utter joy that exuberates from this cast made me want to pack my bag and run off to the circus. As Joris summed up at the questions and answers at the end when asked if they made mistakes, of course we make mistakes it happens but this is a live performance if you want perfection stay at home and watch TV. I would suggest that you don’t stay at home but get yourself a ticket to this show at any cost you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £14 to £29.50 (plus 75p per ticket booking fee).
Cirque Eloize Cirkopolis is at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh until 4 April 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000
