Circus 1903 at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall December 2018 Photo by Manuel Harlan

Review: Circus 1903 at Birmingham Hippodrome

This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw the media and press night of Circus 1903 at the invitation of Birmingham Hippodrome.

By Dave Massey twitter.com/BrumHour

Please note this production contains VERY BRIGHT LIGHTS!

Circus 1903 at
Birmingham Hippodrome

Roll up. Roll up. That’s what they say for the Circus is in town today. There are delights galore, from juggler (François Borie) to a contortionist (Senayet Assefa Amare) and many more acts and even a ringmaster (David Williamson). That’s right! The Circus has come to Birmingham Hippodrome as part of its 120th anniversary celebrations.

Devoid of any regular plot or story we are informed that it is 1903 and we are at the circus. And that time frame just by itself is enough to make me wonder what the circus would have actually been like at that time.

I’m sure for many young people in the theatre tonight this was their first ever visit, and to see all the skill and patience of the performers must have been pretty incredible.

I don’t ever recall being that bothered about Circus myself when I was a kid, maybe it was the idea of being in a draughty huge tent or the fact I’ve no balancing skills of my own. But the idea of Variety and the history of Birmingham Hippodrome starting as a variety hall and circus made me pretty keen to see what this would be like.

Circus 1903 at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall December 2018 Photo by Manuel Harlan

The set, costumes and music all pay homage to the early 20th Century with Moulin Rouge, Peaky Blinders and The Greatest Showman style clothing throughout. The music itself was recorded by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and adds vibrant cinematic texture to the visuals before us.

There is plenty of audience interaction from the Ringmaster, who chats to kids on stage. He’s a brave man getting four (or in this case five) Birmingham kids on stage. David Williamson has more than a dusting of old school magic to keep every entertained.

Circus 1903 at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall December 2018 Photo by Manuel Harlan

There are even beautiful “Elephants” from the team that created and designed War Horse for the stage. This sidesteps around the issue of live circus animals on stage very easily.

This is wonderfully escapist family theatre and perfect for celebrating Birmingham Hippodrome’s rich history.

Circus 1903 is at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 2nd November. Book tickets here: birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/circus-1903

This isn’t a sponsored post.