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Sophie's Surprise 29th

 
Ross Anthony Review by Ross Anthony 4 Published: 7 Aug 2025 Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-23 Aug 2025

Sophie’s Surprise 29th returns for its final year at the Fringe – and if you haven’t seen it, you owe it to yourself to go. This is some of the best that British circus has to offer: hilarious, self-aware, and packed with dazzling tricks that will leave you amazed as well as amused.

The drama is as riveting as a choreographed aerial routine

If you’ve ever been to a UK house party, you’ll recognise the cast: the jock, the goth, the geek, the popular girl, and the dealer. Except this one is slinging custard creams and hiding serious skills. Sam Goodburn’s comedic unicycle routine had the whole crowd on the edge of their seats and holding their sides, even as clothes flew in unexpected directions.

The glue holding it all together is whoever's birthday it is – the titular Sophie, plucked from the audience each night. Ours got right into it, dancing up a storm and blushing appropriately at the more risqué moments.

Speaking of risqué, the show has had a few updates since last year. Kyran Lee Walton appears as the strip act in a suitably crumby fireman costume. But he sticks around for a technically demanding and frankly beautiful hand-balancing routine. Injecting an American performer into an established British show always carries some risk – humour can land differently – but the setup is managed with enough self-awareness to undercut any notion that Three Legged Race Productions are getting too pleased with themselves after two sell-out Fringe runs. That said, if there’s any slack in the show, it occurs here – a shame for something so close to perfect.

This show knows exactly what it is, and it’s for anyone over 18 who wants to be wowed one moment and giggling the next. It speaks especially to a British audience, but there’s plenty of common ground for anyone who’s been to a party, regardless of generation. It’s packed with in-jokes and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments.

Nathan Price and Emily McCarthy deliver a tight skating routine that had the front row flinching – but never in danger – before diving into satirical social commentary. Cornelius Atkinson’s straps display is jaw-dropping. Katharine Arnold’s geek-to-goddess transformation gives way to world-class aerial work that will have you gasping.

The pace makes you feel like you’ve been up all night dancing. The drama is as riveting as a choreographed aerial routine. And you’ll be telling stories about this house party for years to come. A must-see – this one feels likely to sweep awards and go home laughing.

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The Blurb:

Get in losers, Sophie is turning 29 and we’re celebrating. This is award-winning circus, comedy and chaos disguised as a house party, featuring world-leading performers from Cirque du Soleil, La Clique, The 7 Fingers and more. Sophie’s Surprise 29th is stumbling back to Circus Hub after a smash-hit season in 2024. 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, and remember... don’t tell Sophie. ‘Loved every minute of it, funny, sexy and breathtaking’ ***** (Scottish Sun). ***** (Broadway Baby).