When it comes to the circus I am not a dewy-eyed connoisseur, nor am I particularly nostalgic about past forms of entertainment.
Rather, I’ll admit to thinking of the circus as an outmoded, somewhat bizarre spectacle with not much to offer modern-day consumers of entertainment.
I was therefore pleasantly surprised, indeed, when only a few minutes into the show on Thursday, I found myself spellbound by a masterly produced and beautifully executed dance act, competently supported by the house band.
It proved to be a versatile and light-hearted evening.
Plenty of show stoppers
I was especially impressed by the jaw-dropping speed and precision that the diabolo artist (Michaël Betrian) brought to his game.
Equally impressive were the incredibly limber Garcia Brothers’ amazing contortion duel and the Bingo Girls’ Hula Hoop act, which together with the male jugglers recalled a time when entertainment was about practice, skill and dedication rather than technologically enhanced effects.
For related reasons, the rocket act was interesting, in spite of the rocket than because of it – props go out to Duo Garcia’s heart-stopping stunts.
Happy to help, Mimi!
Then there is Mimi the clown, whom your reviewer – eliciting not a few laughs – helped out in the arena three times.
The laughs were mostly due to Mimi, I swear, but because I was on the receiving end of them too, I prefer not to recall his embarrassing but no doubt funny shticks.
Except for a magician, we were treated to it all – a charismatic elephant balancing on poles, beautiful Arabian horses, an adorable pony, cows (!) and a singer very much on top of her game.
With 'Dynamic Youth', Dannebrog demonstrates that the old circus idiom is far from exhausted.
Cirkus Dannebrog – Dynamic Youth Tømmergravsgade by Fisketorvet, Copenhagen; ends Sep 7, performances Tue, Wed and Thu 18:30, Fri 17:00, Sat 14:00 &17:00, Sun 12:00 &15:00; tickets 150-280kr, 3026 3636; www.cirkusdannebrog.dk
