Southbank Centre has opted to take a rather unusual approach festive family programming. Making its London premiere at the end of 2018 is Circus 1903, a turn-of-the-century family spectacular that will drop into the London venue from Paris Theatre in Las Vegas.
Influenced by the golden age of circus, performers will team up with award-winning puppeteers from War Horse, who will move a giant elephant over the stage. Wowing alongside the giant elephant will be acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, trapeze artists and high-wire performers.
It’s a timely scoop: 2018 marks 250 years since the world’s first-ever 42ft circus ring was laid down on an abandoned patch of land in Waterloo by the ‘father of modern circus’ Philip Astley.
The show is produced by LA based-Works Entertainment and Fiery Angel Entertainment (West End shows include The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, To Kill a Mockingbird and Mary Stuart) in association with Senbla (Paddington: Film with live orchestra, forthcoming concerts with Ennio Morricone, Curtis Stigers, Sophie Ellis Bexter).
Circus 1903 will make its European premiere on the famous banks of the River Thames on 19 December and runs until 5 January 2019.
Tickets are priced from £25.
southbankcentre.co.uk | circus1903.com