If you’re one to be impressed by men spinning life-sized cubes over their heads, alien-like acrobatics or blindfolded bounding acts from an eight metre high spinning ring, then The Great Moscow Circus will undeniably tickle your fancy.

As the circus began their anticipated introduction to an audience ranging from screaming infants to screaming grandparents, a cloud of fog entangled the stage.

Snow that resembled that of Edward Scissorhand’s creation poured down from the ceiling while rainbows tainted a cushioned stage where two Russian children exchanged a game of catch.

Coupled Russians made their way through the fog until only a single man was left speaking of the cold Russian Sea. A beautiful fire costumed woman created the perfect contrast against a white sheet that she lifted up with her as she flew to the top of the ceiling.

The first act to follow consisted of two men, two women and a manipulative pole. The two men held each side of the pole as each of the women took it in turns jumping and performing their acrobatics mid air. For a split second it appeared as if one of the women had failed to master her correct landing point, though in the end she landed flawlessly without any cuts or bruises.

When Alfredo Silver first hit the stage he juggled three bowling pins with hands as fast as lightening. He later moved on to juggle five pins without the slightest imperfection. The pressure was on when he wowed his audience by juggling multiple fire rods underneath his legs.

Charlene left the audience feeling about as twisted as she literally was positioned during her act. She managed to put her legs behind her head whilst simultaneously climbing through her twisted rib cage – a thing no ordinary person could even attempt to achieve. The words double jointed do not even begin to label this girl’s abilities. She also managed to consistently hula hoop 15 hoops at a time on her body without dropping a single hoop.

Two men put their jumping abilities to the test as they leaped onto a ten metre high piece of long fabric from the opposite side of the stage. A hoop was raised 8 metres high in front of the fabric. One of the men jumped through the hoop, onto the fabric without touching any of the hoop’s diameters.

In defiance of typical circus traditions, the only animals that were thrust into the limelight were four miniature horses. They followed each other in circles repeatedly and froze at certain moments. One of the horses decided to blaze its own trail by defying its instructor, which collected quite a few laughs from the audience.

Charlene made a return and performed on a white piece of fabric connected to the ceiling. She stunned her audience yet again by doing the splits mid air, in between the sliced pieces of fabric. Connecting herself to the fabric from her mere foot, she hung from the ten metre high ceiling while her audience clapped with astonishment.

The Great Moscow Circus magic show varied from a man metamorphosing into a woman, to a woman disappearing and reappearing onto a bed. This reappearing woman was packed away into a box that was then stabbed with knives where she was magically unfolded. The audience was left speechless and even more confused when a man suddenly appeared in a cage that had been filled with fire.

The ever-so-believable famous two headed human statue act won a lot of laughs from the audience with its wit and clever coordination.

The outrageous Ringmaster took on the hilarity of a clown and performed what he said was “the fastest somersault in the world” which was nearly as fast as Alfredo Silver’s juggling hands.

Australia’s Got Talent 2009 finalist, William Campbell excitedly took to the stage with his diabolo juggling performance.  He spun his multiple diabolos on a single string amidst all of the twisting and throwing.

The Grande finale consisted of four Brazilian Motorbikes inside a splitting “Globe of Death”. This act definitely made the audience cringe as each motorbike entered the globe travelling at 80 kilometres an hour. In the centre of all the madness stood an untouched woman screaming for joy each time the motorbikes spun around the globe passing each other by.

When the fourth motorbike was introduced to the team, the globe split open while the motorbikes continued ceaselessly to circulate the perimeters. This uniquely talented circus ended on a defiant note as well as a conquering note promising to return to Australian shores with all new tricks and material in two and a half years.

The Great Moscow Circus is currently stationed at Epping Plaza until the 15^th of May and is then moving to Brimbark from May the 18^th. If you are interested in experiencing all of the mania for yourself visit your local Ticketek stall or simply check out their website:

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/