Review: SHOWDOWN, The Albany - Tour
Photo credit: Andy Phillipson
Having been put through their paces for the past few weeks, it's down to the final six and they’re all hungry for victory. Only one of these performers can be crowned ‘the new face of circus’ but who will it be…
The show, created by performance company Upswing, made its initial debut at the Chamäleon Theatre in Berlin in 2024. The current production at The Albany marks the official premiere of the show before it goes on tour to various venues across the UK.
The design of the show is simple yet effective. The performers wear sports clothes, with each assigned to a different colour of the rainbow, which is really clever because it creates the illusion of a game show in which the competitors are regular people. The ringmaster’s suit is subtly glittery and flamboyant without being too over the top, allowing us to focus more on the performer. The title of the show is lit up by the neon lights at the back of the (mostly) empty stage space, with apparatus hung up in the rafters. The space is colourful and bright yet understated, cleverly manipulating our focus to be on the performers skills rather than the pomp or flashy spectacle that we’ve come to expect from circuses.
Rhys Hollis makes the perfect ringmaster; he’s charismatic and highly engaging, helping the show maintain a consistent pace and, more importantly, he keeps the audience involved with the show both through quick-witted jokes and audience interaction, which, though it may seem intimidating for those of us who don’t quite gel with this aspect of theatre, doesn’t involve audience members being invited onto the stage area. If anything, a studio atmosphere is maintained, which is ideal for the through line of the show.
The through line of the show being a competitive game show works so well because it allows the acts to blend seamlessly together whilst also giving the audience a story to hook onto: namely that of the transition from competition to collective. We get the chance to root for our favourites, whilst also cheering when the performers stand up for what they believe in and come together to create something dynamic and beautiful.
To that end, the quality of the cast couldn’t be more stellar. Rebecca Solomon and Gracie Hill are absolute goddesses of aerial stunts, from the trapeze to the corde lisse and the suspended pole, these artists make it look effortless.
Loris Di Via, Shane Hampden and Kussyl Amara render us speechless with their awe-inspiring teeter board act. They’re all so captivating to watch. We also love the fact that we are able to hear them give instructions to one another, which grounds the show in a level of realism by reminding us that it takes a hell of a lot of work and skill to complete these feats, that they’re all performers who genuinely care about each other’s well being and are putting safety first.
It must be said that the diamond among gemstones has to be Jaide Annalise. Her cyr wheel act, which adds tonal variation to the show by allowing for a moment of quiet, is mesmerising. Arguably the most memorable part of the show, it's elegant and gripping on such a profound level that we find ourselves incredibly moved by the grace of this act.
Even so, they’re all fundamentally a close knit team and we love watching them work together to create a level of wonder and joy that only truly great circuses are able to create.
Uplifting and full of the best parts of childhood imagination, this awe-inspiring show will leave you feeling significantly brighter than when you walked in.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Megan O’Neill
Showdown continues touring until July, with further info here.