Review: Brainfools Circus: Balance (Bosco Theatre, Ventnor Fringe)

Brainfools Circus visited Ventnor Fringe and I had the pleasure of reviewing Balance in the Bosco Theatre, which was the perfect venue for this show.

Using a combination of acrobatics and theatre, Balance is set in 1940s London, with implied threat from air raid sirens overhead and a radio broadcast to place us firmly in this timezone. There is a story to it, however you can take what you want to from it while you’re watching which is clever – because for some of the younger people in the very mixed audience this story would have less meaning whereas for others this element would have more impact.

Jared Shanks

Jared Shanks and Toffy Paulweber have found themselves in the vicinity of a variety of items that belong to a pub – bottles, beer barrels, planks of wood, etc. Every item is used during this demonstration of skill and precision. There is juggling, lifting, balancing on wooden beams, balancing on bottles, so many different feats that bring wonder to the faces of the younger children watching.

Toffy Paulweber

The thing that stands out between this pair of talented performers is the precision of their movements, the teamwork, trust and unbreakable concentration, and the way they can tell a story with just their eyes and absolutely no vocal additions until quite far into the show.

Every second counted as they moved from one scenario to the next. The grace in their movements and their strength was astonishing as beer barrels were thrown around and made to look as if they were as light as plastic. Really tricky balancing positions were held while giving the visual impression of them being as simple as sitting on chair. The way they lifted each other, again giving an impression of it being so effortless, was a highlight.

As for the story, the characters shared more details about themselves with each other and the audience as the performance progressed, bringing a depth that likely resonated more with older audience members, and during this development they released new props from a bag which made for an even more complicated set of balances.

Brainfools have created a visually stunning show for all ages with Balance. Some of the scenes they create do bring an element of anxiety to your mind as they appear as if they may be one slip away from a serious fracture, but this is what makes this sort of show so exciting to watch. It is a visual treat for people of all ages and an absolute masterclass in strength, concentration, precision and teamwork.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Curtain call photo

Find out more about Brainfools Circus, including upcoming show dates on their website here.

If you would like to see more of the photographs I took during this show, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.