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There
are some things in life that when seen inspire you to imitate them.
We've all rushed down the park after the FA Cup Final for a kick
around, done a spot of shadow boxing as the final bell sounds in
Rocky or run round the house with arms for wings after Top Gun.
I am adding the Chinese State Circus to that list. The performances
in the show are so outrageous that you feel you have to try to recreate
the stunts, just to realise how impressive they are.
Liverpool
A&E departments: you have been warned!
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| A
smashing performance |
In
an age when cinema special effects make anything possible it is
rare that we have to suspend disbelief. This show does just that.
You simply have to marvel at the extraordinary feats performed.
It doesn't take much doing when confronted by over an hour of gravity
defying, injury disregarding acts. These performers really do the
impossible.
Until
you have seen a unicyclist riding on top of a rubber ball then kicking
bowls onto her head you really can't believe it.
That's
what prevents this show from having any dull moments. All of the
acts make you feel like a child, amazed by feats that defy logic,
even though you know what you are seeing is no trick.
It's
hard to pick highlights, however, the acts that really stood out
include the aforementioned unicyclist and the Wu-Su Kung-Fu, including
two men bending a spear using only their necks and a poor soul having
bricks broken over his head with a sledge hammer.
The
reactions of the audience confirm just how good a show this is:
constant oohing and aahing with rapturous applause greeting every
twist and turn. The acts which got the best reaction from the entranced
audience were the pole-climbing troupe who perform a variety of
leaps and falls on 20ft poles, including nose-diving to within 6
inches of the ground with only legs for brakes. The lion dance was
also a winner with the crowd. The biggest cheer of the night was
reserved for the two plate spinners - whose slapstick routine had
the audience in stitches.
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| One
of the amazing balancing acts |
The
Chinese State Circus is a show that really does have to be seen
to be believed and the descriptions here do them little justice.
Shakespeare and Don King between them would struggle to verbalise
the truly unbelievable.
Go
and see the show and you will not be disappointed. Then you can
have fun trying to describe it to your friends! Only please - don't
try it at home!
For
more information: Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street Tel: 01517083232
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