Following a slow, sinuous and very effective mime, brilliantly mirrored by a video background of the same scene, we were plunged into the sawdust and smells of the circus, ring master, strongman, tightrope walker, lion tamer, trick ponies…everything one associates with the excitement of the big top, albeit in a failed project, with the recalcitrant animals, the sad clowns, the less than exotic dancers, until the advent of Makeitbetter, the mountebank, and her Fakir, who transformed the performance into all the wonder, suspense and excitement that one associates with the medium, the all accompanied by snide comments and awful puns by the ringside observers (very reminiscent of Waldorf and Statler in ‘The Muppet Show’).
Once again the Let Loose team, particularly Brandon McGuire (despite the impending perils of fatherhood). Edd Mott, Nina Holmes and perhaps most of all, Sarah Thomas, fulfilled our expectations, judged by the general level of performance, the satisfaction and response of the audiences and, most of all, by the shining exuberance of the whole cast.
A fine feast to set before the many dignitaries attending and, as usual, it is a pity that more Nomad members were not there to enjoy it. Invidious to pick out individual performances but I loved Anne Grindrod as the trick pony observer, the acrobatic lion, Joanna Denman and Henrietta, the mountebank (Angela Cutager), while she, Oliver Forsyth and Jamie Bensted contributed fine singing
As usual the musical contributions of Jay Bristow (musical director and composer) and his group were outstanding. And the whole performance was produced in one short week!
Many thanks to all the volunteers who worked their socks off in providing food, transport and individual help to all those taking part. And, of course, Cargill, who sponsored the show.
Barnum and Bailey—eat your hearts out.
It was really good! I’m always amazed how much better the shows get year on year..