Cirque Berserk's Mechanika! at Winter Wonderland

By J Sydney-Leigh

Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton’s new robot-inspired creation would have benefitted from a little more classic circus romance. The audience is held in complete brightness, which [despite helping bored audience members find their phone] is rather non-atmospheric. The closest thing to a ringmaster comes in the form of a neurotic scientist, who doesn’t actually address the audience. He instead serves a vague narrative by having created all the acts on stage, but this seems strangely forgotten when he stops introducing the acts half way through. The loud drum and bass mixed with electronic rock suits the futuristic theme of the show, but I’m afraid that bar a few stand out performances, the whole concept of ‘Mechanika!’ falls short of its high-tech promise.

The show commences with two pirouetting robots clad in white with Rastafarian dreadlocks. It’s a tad bizarre, made more so by the fact that the dancing is pretty naff. Refined moves would make the role of these time-filling dancers more entertaining. Zulu Warriors create human pyramids with fluid and limber precision, literally jumping into precarious positions. When the climactic balance falls short, [literally – on the floor] it is a smooth save that made us comfortable that these acrobats are trained in their falls as well as their art. The Zulu Warriors return later with quick-paced and very agile rope-skipping. Germaine Delbosq is the icon of a multi-tasking woman, and impresses with faultless footwork as she lies on a motorbike and juggles, balances, and hula-hoops. At the same time… Using only her legs.

Ramps are assembled that promise great BMX stunt work, but in performance looks more like acrobats who were asked two weeks before the show to learn how to ride a bike. It is an unimpressive stunt, and an ungraceful fall added to my tally of the show’s mistakes. Next is Amy Nash, an elegant Arial hoop artist, who drops confidently into daring positions and provides a welcome release from the raucous energy. Her grace is in stark contrast with the next act, ‘Cyborg Strongman’, who we can just make out hiding beneath his muscles. He juggles tires, lifts and spins a telephone pole with 5 people on it, and is run over by a jeep. Just a normal day at the office! His stunt lacks charisma, however, and he had to put his thumbs up to draw an inorganic applause from the audience.

Contortionist Odka is so bendy that it hurts to watch her- in a great way. Her archery skills are impressive by any standard, let alone being fired by her feet whilst in a handstand. An encouraging clap builds into climax as she pops a balloon on a target, and more of this audience interaction would have brought the robotic show to life. The next stunt shows the Lucius Team- motorbike riders- spin at alarming pace inside a metal sphere. The number of bikes in the cage increases, and stakes are raised as a woman stands in the centre of the sphere within inches of being knocked over. Fears were realised as a bike fell down. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the sharp intake of breath from the audience, and another failed stunt, made me consider that dangerous acts are only enjoyable if you genuinely don’t think someone is going to die.

The show closes with a big transformer [impressive costume on a man on stilts] being lifted mid-air and shooting fireworks from his fists; an awkward finale to end this altogether lacklustre show. Saying all this, young kids will probably love it- and I’m sure this show will benefit from winter wonderland parents wanting an excuse to rest their Christmas family-outing feet for 45 minutes.

★ ★

Cirque Berserk: Mechanika!

Produced by Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton

Creative Director: Matt Page

Set Design: Area 51

Costume Design: Adam Ford

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

21st Nov – 4th Jan [closed Christmas day]

7pm | 8pm | 9pm

£6 | £12

Get tickets here: http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/tickets/

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