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Sophie's Surprise 29th

 
Frodo Allan Review by Frodo Allan 5 Published: 8 Aug 2024 Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows Show Dates: 2 Aug 2024-24 Aug 2024

Last year, I ended my five-star review of Sophie’s Surprise 29th by promising that, if Sophie’s friends decide to throw a surprise 30th, I’d be there with my party hat on. Well, I’m back at Circus Hub and so is Sophie and her friends from Three Legged Race Productions but unfortunately it seems the only one who’s aged a year is me as Sophie is celebrating her 29th again.

This show is already maturing like a fine wine – or should that be a bottle of WKD Blue?

It can be difficult to review a successful show in its sophomore year at Fringe. Often, they simply bring back the hits and, although it’s still great, it feels less original, less groundbreaking. The return of Sophie’s Surprise 29th is, if anything, better than last year. The show feels slicker, yet more chaotic. The hits are there – we are stunned by Cornelius Atkinson’s display of strength on straps, Katharine Arnold’s character comedy as the quintessential 80’s rom-com “ugly girl” and her stunning aerial routines on rope and hoop, Sam Goodburn’s unique unicycle act and biscuit juggling, and the phenomenal roller-skating routine from Nathan Redwood Price and Isis Clegg-Vinell. But there’s some new stuff in there to keep it fresh. We get what feels like a lot more audience interaction this time - as well as ‘Sophie’ – plucked from the front row to be the unsuspecting star of the show - and a fantastic moment is Josie Jone’s hair-hanging whilst clambering on a bemused but enthusiastic audience member. There’s also an amusing update to Price’s class stereotypes speech that reflects our new, hopefully more liberal political situation in the UK.

The Fringe is full of slick circus shows displaying superhuman skills and performers at the extreme of human endurance. This show has all that, yet it’s performed with such a self-aware and confident comedy slant that it almost seems even more amazing when these talented character actors display their circus skills. Sophie may not be aging, but this show is already maturing like a fine wine – or should that be a bottle of WKD Blue?

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The Blurb:

Get in losers, Sophie is turning 29 and we’re celebrating. This is circus, comedy and chaos disguised as a house party, featuring world-leading performers from La Clique, The 7 Fingers, Cirque du Soleil and more. Sophie’s Surprise 29th is stumbling back to Circus Hub after a smash-hit season in 2023. Expect Twilight fan fiction, death-defying circus feats and a pumping soundtrack at the craziest party of your life. Get your Walkmans, scrunchies and halter tops ready, remember... don’t tell Sophie. ‘Loved every minute of it, funny, sexy and breathtaking’ ***** (Scottish Sun). **** (List).