• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews
Circa's Peepshow Review

Circa's Peepshow Review

Review: Peepshow at Underbelly Festival

by Greg Stewart
July 3, 2018
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Four Star Review from Theatre WeeklyCirca return to London with the European premiere of Peepshow, an exciting fusion of circus and cabaret which seems to turn its audience in to voyeurs, sneaking a look at the performers, who are clearly enjoying knowing they are being watched.  It takes this rather dated concept, where men would visit peepshows to peer at women, and expands it, injecting it with a healthy dose of modernity, the Edwardian ruffles worn initially by the cast are in stark contrast to the techno beat of the music.

It does feel like you’re in a seedy nightclub, as the darkness is pierced with ultra-bright spotlights and the beat of the music makes your blood cells vibrate. It’s sexy, and sultry with the cast teasing the audience in various forms. The costumes are removed in favour of more ‘acrobatic-friendly’ attire, it feels like our performers are finally breaking free from some unseen shackles, and the whole experience becomes a forbidden pleasure.

Various acts make up the total performance, and as is traditional with Circa it is the artists and their skills who define the overall piece. There’s seven of them, and while each has a specialist skill which is demonstrated in a solo routine, Peepshow is without a doubt a prime example of an ensemble piece, as they all have a part to play in each other’s performances.

       

Jessica Connell opens the show with a tremendous display with hula-hoops, it takes you just a moment to realise what extraordinary skill she is actually displaying. The same is true for Jarred Dewey and his startling trapeze work, while Ela Bartilomo switches from frenzied modern dance to perfectly honed contortionism and David Trappes demonstrates excellent juggling skills.

Aside from the seemingly impossible stunts, there are moments of comedy which are far simpler in their delivery, with a tinge of burlesque or music hall creeping in.  At points it feels like these put the brakes on the otherwise fast paced show, with it then taking some effort to get back up to speed.

You mightalso like

Aerial Silk Photo by David Rubene Photography

Full Cast Announced For UK Premiere Of Circus Abyssinia: Tulu

Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square

Underbelly Festival Announces London Summer Programme For 2022

Director, Yaron Lifschitz has taken the talents of each performer and put the firmly in the spotlight, they are exposed, and as an audience we get to revel in the sumptuousness of the overall performance.  Despite some slower moments Peepshow makes the seemingly impossible, possible.

 

1 of 6
- +
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen
ADVERTISEMENT

1. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

2. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

3. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

       

4. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

5. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

6. Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

Circa- photo by Kurt Petersen

       
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Aerial Silk Photo by David Rubene Photography
News

Full Cast Announced For UK Premiere Of Circus Abyssinia: Tulu

Underbelly Festival Cavendish Square
News

Underbelly Festival Announces London Summer Programme For 2022

Underbelly Past Event Site
News

Underbelly Unveil Plans for New London Location This Year

Added line up for 10th Underbelly Festival
News

Underbelly Festival Announces 31 More Shows

Thomas Flynn in Circa Old Red Lion Theatre courtesy of Lidia Crisafulli
Interviews

Interview: Thomas Flynn on Circa at The Old Red Lion Theatre

Circa by Tom Ratcliffe Review at The Old Red Lion Theatre c. Lidia Crisafulli
Reviews

Review: Circa at The Old Red Lion Theatre

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Curve Finding Home Cast

Curve Announces Finding Home Company to mark 50th anniversary of Ugandan Asian Exodus

RSC Mischief Festival

Royal Shakespeare Company Announces Return of The Mischief Festival to The Other Place

© 2020 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2022
    • Edinburgh News
    • Edinburgh Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2020 Theatre Weekly