Zippos Circus at Blackheath Review
Reviewed by Bharti Patel
Zippos Circus this Easter was located at Blackheath over towards Greenwich, the great thing about Zippos circus tent is you cannot miss it. It has a big sign on it and is one of the most well-known travelling circuses in the UK and for good reason, this circus is not just for kids but great for the adults that take them too! Parking was available on site for a small charge of £1 but it was well located for local visitors to walk to the park. The tent was heated so despite the weather it’s never a bad time to go to the circus. They had the usual light up toys available for children that are at all of the children’s events so if you children will want them make sure you take lots of cash.
This year’s performance is called “Jigit” which means strong and courageous and it did not fail to meet the theme. The tent was not over packed which means no matter where you were sitting you got a good view and you were not overcrowded. Taking a 2 and half year old I was a little worried he may get bored or not be so interested but he was mesmerized from the first act until the end and was very excited to tell everyone about the visit to the circus the next day. The acts varied from Trapeze artists, contortionists to horses and a crazy motorbike finale. Luckily there was no traditional clowns, they had an act that was dressed as a press member that carried out the funny parts between acts to keep the crowd entertained and the kids laughing.
The acts were a good mix of the traditional with the new and exciting, with acts brought together from all over the world. In the first half, there was amongst others an amazing lady on a swinging trapeze, a lady who was hula hooping more hoops then you could ever imagine, real knife throwing, horses involved with acrobatic Cossack riding from the Khadikov Jigit Riders, and a comic act of a fireman along with the comic act of the press guy.
There was a short intermission, just long enough to get snacks and a toilet break. It’s been years since I went to the circus so a tub of candy floss and tub of popcorn reminded me of why the circus is good fun along with the entertainment.
The second half of the show was packed with lots more entertainment. The world’s greatest ringmaster Norman Barrett MBE even had his own act with his naughty little budgerigars, climbing, going down slides and pulling a car along a platform. There was an African contortionist that managed to fit himself through a tennis racket and twist and turn in ways that blow your mind, juggling acts in the traditional sense and also a lady who had the most amazing ability to juggle and rotate things with her legs and feet. The final act was the Lucius Troupe, Brazilian motorbike daredevils in the globe of death, just when you think 3 of them inside is enough they added one more and separated the globe into 2 halves keeping you shocked with amazement and hoping they just kept going.
Zippos Circus is famous for a reason and it is because it has still got the traditional aspect of a circus but with a modern twist. It’s not just for children but great for a family day out keeping adults entertained just as much. The costs of the tickets start from as low as £10 and provides great entertainment for 2 hours and there is not a clown in sight!
Rating: 5/5
For more information, tour dates or to book tickets visit zippos.co.uk.
