The Edinburgh International Circus Festival

A bold, brassy, loud spectacle begins this show – a kitsch-feast for the eyes of sequins, acid-toned costumes, shiny fabrics and aerialists twirling in all directions. And with that the tone is set for a very enjoyable couple of hours of classic circus tricks wrapped up in classic gaudy glitz.

The international theme in the title emerges as a kind of Eurovision Song Contest for circus, with each artist enthusiastically introduced as “representing” their country before being accompanied onto stage by someone waving their flag. The music too has a distinct Euro-pop tang and we are even invited to vote for our favourite act afterwards – to be announced at the end of the run.

It's a mixed bag in terms of quality, and a few of the performers have that hardened glazed professionalism about them that comes with the territory in a show this commercial. Nul points go to Italy for lacklustre clown Rudi Brukson although on the Ukranian side, trio Equivokee with their mix of slick juggling and buffoonery could be a contender to take the eight or the ten. 

But the 12 is definitely reserved for Bulgaria, and duo Sifolini, lithe and light on the wheel of death, an act that makes your palms sweat just watching it. Irish flying astrophysicist Dr Liz Wickham is another treat.

The show is weighted a little too heavily on clowns rather than acrobatics but its acts are polished and poised and while it is as glittering, glossy and commercial as they come, it does feel gleefully indulgent, rather like bingeing on a bag of pick ‘n’ mix.