ShakeItUp: The Improvised Shakespeare Show 5*****

Packed into a wee room in Gilded Balloon’s Patter House, at 1pm, is an amazing show that has been the highlight of our festival so far. This is an improvised Shakespeare show. Members of the audience are asked to choose … Read More

Ghost Light Between Fall and Flight 4****

Maxim Laurin, a Guinness World Record holder, and Guillaume Larouche deliver a spectacular duet on their spinning teeterboard, drawing you into a captivating world suspended between fall and flight.

As the stage darkens, flickering lights and whispering sounds create an … Read More

Barbaren Barbies: A Wild Women Circus 5*****

The Barbaren Barbies, a Berlin-based international circus company hailing from Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and Finland, is an extraordinary troupe of talented female circus artists. These five bold superheroines blend incredible acrobatics, dance, and comedy with delightfully shocking silliness. Their … Read More

Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show – 5*****

I have always thought that Improv comedy is often best served in a smallish room. But this was in the 700+ Pleasance Grand, but it worked, oh how well it worked. I suppose it was a given, Paul Merton and … Read More

The Listies ROFL – 5*****

The Listies ROFL is a hilarious whirlwind of entertainment that had the entire audience, young and old, in laughter from beginning to end. Matt and Rich, an Australian team, perfectly capture the frantic energy of bedtime shenanigans in a show … Read More

Ten Thousand Hours – 5*****

Ten Thousand Hours’ distinctive blend of raw physicality and artistry captivated the crowd from the time the lights dimmed and the performers set up. Gravity & Other Myths has once again produced a breathtaking production that honours commitment, technique, and … Read More

OH OH – 5*****

OH OH by Compagnia Baccalà is a true gem. The program blends the timeless pleasure of classic clowning with a new, innovative twist, making it a must-see for anyone who enjoys a bit of magic and mayhem. Audiences are lured … Read More

Born In the USA (Leaving Vietnam) – 5*****

Jimmy Vandenberg is a Vietnam veteran who received commendations during his time as a marine. He did not, however, come home to a fanfare. Instead, he was made to feel that his service to the country was something that should … Read More

CHALLENGE – 3***

CHALLENGE presents a unique blend of non-verbal comedy, traditional Japanese sword fighting, and an unexpected appearance by a famous TikToker, @uespiiiiii. The show’s description promises laughter, tears, juggling, and dancing, but what unfolds on stage is nothing short of bizarre.

… Read More

Tweedy’s Massive Circus – 3.5***

Attending Tweedy’s Massive Circus is like stepping into a whirlwind of comedy, curiosity, and unpredictable antics. At the heart of the show is Tweedy, the celebrated star of Giffords Circus, who tries his best to captivate audiences of all ages. … Read More