Cirque Berserk! Review: dazzling circus artistry in search of theatrical purpose
22 October 2026 | 15:00 | Garrick Theatre, London
⭐⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
Death-defying circus artistry and exhilarating family entertainment, but the spectacle never quite matches the exceptional onstage talent.
Presented by Zippos Circus, Cirque Berserk! returns for another season at London's Garrick Theatre, promising Britain's biggest and boldest theatre-circus spectacular. With an international company of more than 30 performers, the production combines traditional circus discipline with contemporary staging and adrenaline-fuelled stunt work.
And when it comes to skill, there is plenty to celebrate. From the moment audiences enter, pulsating techno music and an imposing assortment of circus apparatus create a lively buzz. The opening introduces colourful characters, a playful storytelling and the suggestion of an intriguing theatrical world.
What follows is an impressive succession of aerial straps, hand balancing, unicycling, Cyr wheel, juggling and breathtaking motorcycle stunts. The performers demonstrate remarkable strength and competence, with occasional technical slips doing little to diminish their overall achievement.
A particular standout is Brazilian circus artist Paulo Dos Santos, whose infectious personality and versatility makes him one of the afternoon's most engaging performers. Moving between physical comedy, tumbling, aerial and cycle work, he possesses the rare combination of technical ability and natural showmanship.
The fire act is another triumph: visually striking, expertly controlled and genuinely thrilling, it brings a real sense of danger to the stage. Equally impressive is the legendary Globe Of Death, where motorcycles hurtle around a confined steel sphere in a breathtaking display of speed, precision and sheer nerve.
Although where individual performances frequently astonish, the production surrounding them feels less assured. There's nothing inherently wrong with a traditional circus-variety format, but Cirque Berserk! promotes an initial theatrical world that never fully develops. Acts arrive, amaze and then disappear with little sense of connection or progression. The recurring clowning sequences provide an appreciated humour, meanwhile other robotic and mime-inspired interludes detach from the show's wider presentation.
Ensemble choreography largely serves as a transition between the different disciplines, rather than establishing a distinctive movement language. A stronger relationship between character, movement and staging could help to transform these individual feats into a more cohesive experience.
For a production marketed as 'Britain's biggest theatre-circus spectacular', it can feel surprisingly modest. With today's advancements in lighting, projection and digital scenography, the possibilities for extraordinary theatrical environments are endless. Not to say that ever production requires technological prowess, as circus should never lose sight of its human ability, rather to be used as an aid in expanding its sense of scale and tighter visual arc.
The second act maintains the momentum with an amusing balloon routine, further aerial performances and LED-suit dance sequences, known as the Show Jokers. While entertaining, their repeated appearances add a watchable motif without necessarily developing Cirque Berserk!'s identity.
Perhaps the most revealing response comes from the audience itself. The Garrick Theatre is packed with families enjoying a half-term extravaganza, and their excitement is unmistakable. Children gasp, laugh and cheer, utterly captivated in the feats that unfold before them.
And this remains the undeniable success of Cirque Berserk!. For audiences seeking riveting live entertainment, marvellous physical artistry and an exhilarating family afternoon, it delivers in abundance. The performers are rightfully the stars. What holds the production back from becoming something truly impeccable lies in its theatrical ambition, requiring more of a thematic narrative thread to bring everything together, and find its ultimate purpose.
Playing at the Garrick Theatre, London until the 31st October: https://cirqueberserk.co.uk/
