Zippos’ Extreme Christmas Cirque

Their touring season now over, Zippos Circus has found itself a home for the festive season at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Pitched amongst the twinkly attractions for the third year running, Zippos introduces two new shows to its repertoire: Christmas Circus and Cirque Extreme.

Christmas Circus celebrates Yuletide across the globe and is a bright and light-hearted show tailored for families. With typical big top characters including clowns, contortionists, jugglers and acrobats on the bill we journey from a hot and sunny Christmas in Kenya to Germany, Argentina and more. With plenty of fizz, whizz and bang it is conventional slapstick circus and a guaranteed winner with young children.

Conversely Cirque Extreme is a show that induces nervous, near hysterical, laughter with its programme of dangerous stunts and spectacles that reach all ages. Its biggest draw is the Motorcycle Globe of Death, which premiered as the finale of Zippos summer 2011 show Horsepower, and stars Brazil’s Lucius Troupe.

The three daring motorcyclists hurtle round inside a latticed steel sphere at speeds exceeding 60mph, looping the loop with incredible timing and precision. It’s a hard act to beat but this being Zippos there’s plenty more to excite.

Germaine Delbosq returns with her foot juggling routine and the majority of the Zippo’s cast get involved with a spot of chainsaw fire juggling; all of which leads to a showgirl on Pointe being positioned against a wall to have knives thrown at her.

To add to this nerve-wracking action performers also take to the air. A metal construction known as the adrenalin wheel swings from floor to ceiling, sending its drivers to dizzying heights and testing their balance. While an aerial artist entertained with such gusto on the night he collided with the top of the tent. If you want to be part of Zippos having acrophobia is clearly not feasible.

Allowing the tension to flow from one act to another the ring master remains silent. It’s a welcome change to the normal formula and lets the action speak for itself. Running two very different shows simultaneously can be no easy task but Zippos has managed to produce polished, entertaining and enthralling debuts to please the crowds.

Christmas Cirque is timely and has recyclable elements but it is Cirque Extreme that has real mileage.

Zippos Circus will be performing every day until January 3, 2012 (except December 25) at:

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park
Mayfair

Box Office: 0844 858 6755 (See Tickets) / 0844 847 1771 (Ticketmaster) Online