Circa gave a very acrobatic, perfectly choreographed, circus based performance today at the Barbican.

The high quality balancing, tumbling, throws and leaps were also mixed with a good sense of humour which kept the audience fully entertained. The strong point was that, despite all the action, it was in a very well integrated and in a consistent visual style with well chosen (often French) music.

Watch out for the woman walking over a man in high heels, the multiple hula hoops spinning and the very nonchalant throws which are made to look deceptively easy. Highly recommended as this clip shows.

If you like the circus but want to see something different Cirkus Cirkor at Saddler’s Wells could be for you.

The Cirkus Cirkor show is themed weirdly around life/death, the body, heart and blood circulation and just about hangs together. I did hear a child say ‘is there a story?’

However its is definitely enjoyable particularly when members of the audience are involved in the act. The cast are very good and the performances of a very high quality.

The band Irya’s Playground are on the stage and play throughout the performance – very good I bought the cd.