How do you up the ante when your previous show was the hottest ticket in town? Last May innovative director Scott Maidment brought Cantina to the South Bank's mirrored Spiegeltent and blew audiences away with an intense, dark hybrid of circus, cabaret and low-level sadomasochism. Maidment’s sequel, Limbo, with a new cast of versatile performers, is not quite Cantina's equal but is still intermittently gobsmacking.
The highs that take place on and above the tiny circular stage are pretty exhilarating. Jonathan Nosan is an unbelievably supple contortionist, flicking his legs over his head like a human scorpion in an act that feels more related to German expressionist cinema than Cirque Du Soleil. Danik Abishev’s hand-balancing has zero margin for error and will have you on the edge of your seat. More relaxing are the spectacular acrobatics on bendy poles which swoop and sway inches above the audience’s heads.
Yet despite these moments, unlike Cantina’s depression-era theme, Limbo does not work as a fully-rounded piece. There are lulls during equipment set-ups, a little too much self-consciously quirky music from a beatnik band and a flimsy narrative about lingering between heaven and hell feels like an afterthought.
These are minor complaints though. Limbo is certainly not purgatory for punters. If you’ve never seen a circus show in the Spiegeltent this is well worth your time and definitely good value with prices starting at £15.
Maybe not the hottest ticket in town this season but foxy fire-eater Heather Holliday may still singe your eyebrows if you get too close.
Until September 29 (londonwonderground.co.uk, 0844 545 8282)
