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After attending a show at the new Boulevard Circus, I learnt two things. Firstly, if there’s a lesson to be learned from acrobats, it’s that gravity is more of a guideline than a hard rule. And secondly, attending a circus is a great way to guarantee a fun evening.
Not entirely sure what to expect, I walked into the white big-top with eyes wide open, ready to be wowed by acrobats and illusionists. Each show offers standard or VIP seating, depending on how close to the action you want to be.
Looking around at the audience, I saw that much like the other children, I was sitting on the edge of my seat, excited for what was coming next. A lot of what I saw defied the laws of physics, as performers clad in glittering white leotards spun through the air using only hanging ribbons.
What really hit home is that these performers deserve a lot of respect and credit for the hard work they do to put on a good show. It takes years of practice, and they make it seem easy.
Some of the remaining acts included an element of fear, I noticed, as one of the performers began effortlessly throwing knives into a wooden door, whilst his assistant stood incredibly still and a little too close to where he was aiming.
I also overcame my fear of clowns, as the red-nosed duet provided brief intervals of goofy entertainment, mainly directed at the kids in the audience. It was fun to see children interacting with the show and not just passively watching, and it definitely made for a more immersive experience.
The final, and perhaps most jaw-dropping, moment of terror arrived when the show’s illusionist removed an audience member’s watch from her wrist only to smash it to pieces. He promptly returned it, although we’re still wondering if it truly is the original.
Shweta Jain, a housewife and once again watch-owner, said: “We loved it, and my son really enjoyed it. The aerial parts were amazing and the dress change acts were really good too. I was so disheartened when he broke my watch, but then I got it back so all is well!”
The show doesn’t just stop at death-defying acrobats and mind-boggling illusions. Here you’ll see a ballet-inspired dance routine done entirely on roller skates, as well as expert jugglers with a penchant for balance. I can barely catch a ball with one hand, let alone juggle five between two people.
The organiser and creator of the circus, HANO Events chairman Fawaz Baqer, said: “Boulevard Circus is Bahrain’s first home grown circus brand, and we’re excited to bring more family entertainment options to the kingdom. We’re making new additions regularly - by next week we will be adding a tightrope walker to the ensemble.”
Two mums from the audience, Reem and Abeer, admitted that it was their first time at the circus: “This is our first time at a show like this. The roller skate dancing and the acrobats were amazing. Maybe next year they can bring in some animal acts!”
If you’re looking to be entertained, I recommend you come along to a showing. If you’re a kid, you’ll love the fun and crazy characters, and if you’re an adult, you’ll love being transported back to childhood for an evening.
The circus puts on two shows daily, at 4.30pm and 6.30pm, and will be open to the public until April 28 at Al Fateh Corniche in Manama. Tickets can be bought at the entrance for BD4 per person for standard seating, and BD8 per person for VIP seating.
