‘Sorry I dropped the knives a couple of times,’ Perico Circus Express winces. ‘I just arrived from America, I should be asleep.’ Let’s give him, and the rest of the Freedom Family Circus, the benefit of the doubt.
The six-strong cast, including two who doubled as jugglers and members of the commendable backing band, comprises ‘the best performers from all across America’, our awkward ringmaster spuriously announces. It is not the best circus act you will find in Edinburgh but there are some impressive stunts and their pluck must be admired, as well as their perseverance.
The opening act, Cindy Marvel, was the first of three juggling performances. Uninspiring at first, her routine gathered momentum and was rounded off with a striking five-club sequence. When Luther Banker took to the stage later, he was also unconvincing but, in his case, all the more so as the difficulty increased. Again, however, the talent was clear to see.
The same cannot really be said for the act who appeared between the two, Hermie the Clown, whose one-handed balloon dog was impressive after a false start but who lacked the necessary patter and audience rapport, notably with the kids at whom this show is aimed. His performance was awkward at best.
Thankfully, the day was saved to some extent by Perico whose charming and often excellent knife-juggling routine was the show’s finale. The blades certainly spent more time in the air than on the floor and when the appearance of a unicycle onto the small stage drew anxious glances from the audience, he proved us all wrong with a solid and remarkable performance.
This show is a little rough around the edges, but these performers have a charm and enthusiasm about them and talent that is worth the very reasonable ticket price.
