Buy cheap tickets for The Lion King
The Biggest Marionette Circus in the World Part II

Life-sized animal puppets with fully articulated limbs come to life in front of your eyes in a cacophony of singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation. The Biggest Marionette Circus in the World: Part II is a family show like no other. A clockwork ringmaster aims to lead us in the revelries including underwater scenes, dancing butterflies and circus personalities in this strange multicoloured world.

Children and adults alike are swept up in the magic of these scenes but unfortunately there are only brief moments that manage this wonderment.

Moments of wonder fill the stage as giant, terrifying and beautiful fish swoop upon the audience and we are taken on an underwater adventure. Children and adults alike are swept up in the magic of these scenes but unfortunately there are only brief moments that manage this wonderment. The majority of the performance is taken up with clunky stage management; and it tends to dampen the mood and quell the youthful energy. The main focal point for much of the performance is the charming but not so charismatic ringmaster. Aiming to whip children into a frenzy of excitement he unfortunately doesn't have the required patter and so attentions wane. We meet other characters along the way, such as the circus strongman and lion tamer, but throughout the action is disjointed and a mediocre appetiser to the main dish.

The high point of the whole show is a scene that truly captures the imagination of young and old when, having been told to exit the theatre and reconvene outside, we are finally introduced to the 3 lifesize puppets: Giraffe, Elephant and Lion. The marionettes are operated beautifully and it feels as though the company are at home with these giant creatures. An hour of play and storytelling with these wonderful creations would have been a much better use of the time and a spectacle that would have been far more entertaining.

This is not most polished or entertaining show but there are moments of wonder. The life sized animals are so beautifully operated that children can't help but gaze in awe. I am sure that parents will find their children intermittently entertained for an hour but when ranked alongside other dedicated theatre companies it doesn't quite hold up.

Reviews by James Price

Brighton Spiegeltent

The Tiger Lillies

★★★★
The Warren: Studio 2

Max and Ivan: Unstoppable

★★★
The Warren: Studio 2

Off the Cuff: Crime and Funishment

★★★
Sweet Dukebox

The Bookbinder

★★★★★
The Rialto Theatre

About a Goth

★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

The return of Brighton Fringe 2015’s biggest hit. Life-sized elephant, giraffe and lion marionettes come to The Warren! The animals will greet you outside and lead you in to enjoy a breath-taking puppetry show to delight all ages.
Buy cheap tickets for Wicked
Buy cheap tickets for The Lion King

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Figaro: An Original Musical
Figaro: An Original Musical

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Back To The Future
Back To The Future

From £21.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

From £13.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Stranger Things : The First Shadow
Stranger Things : The First Shadow

From £30.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist
Buy cheap tickets for Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma
Buy cheap tickets for The Elixir of Love
Buy cheap tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong
Buy cheap tickets for Les Miserables
Buy cheap tickets for Phantom of the Opera
Buy cheap tickets for Alls Well That Ends Well
Buy cheap tickets for Mary Queen of Scots
Buy cheap tickets for Cymbeline
Buy cheap tickets for The Purists