Red circus comes to Joburg and Cape Town

While the 90-year-old Russian circus draws on the rich and colourful tapestry of a traditional circus, visitors will not encounter performing animals. Instead, they will be treated to a celebration of human mastery over physical limitations.

Like the revered schools of the famous Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballets, Russian circus schools teach classical ballet as part of their curriculum for increased grace and fluidity of movement. Only the most talented students are invited to join The Great Moscow Circus.

Visitors both young and old will be transported into a fantasy world by a visual kaleidoscope of clowns, jugglers, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, acrobats, gymnasts and contortionists.

Trapeze first for SA

For the very first time, South Africans can see a simultaneous horizontal and vertical trapeze act, thanks largely to the height and technical capabilities of both venues which can cater for the special rigging requirements. The result is the perfectly synchronised Akilov Flying Trapeze.

Other highlights include a combination of the Baibak horizontal bar and a trampoline, juggling while riding a bicycle wheel without a seat, daring springboard acrobatics and the strength and agility of the Yinchuan Chinese Acrobatic Troupe. Of course no circus is complete without a contortionist and rubber-jointed Maria Sarach will not disappoint.

Foot-juggling motorcycles

After two years of training and planning, The Great Moscow Circus will arrive in South Africa with approximately 10 tons of props, including three motorbikes specially designed for a human foot-juggling act, a 40-foot container carrying ring boxes, which make up the circus ring, and even a special red carpet used in all Russian circuses. The human cargo includes 51 Russians, a troupe of six Chinese acrobats and two Spanish managers.

Hard-pressed consumers will also be pleased to note that ticket prices for The Great Moscow Circus remain unchanged since 2006. Special discounted tickets are available for children and pensioners.

The circus returns to Johannesburg for the second time, but it is its first visit to Cape Town.

Contact Computicket for further information about the times of the various daily shows, or to book at www.computicket.com.