Circus Rio Brings the Colour – Play & Go Review – April 2019
As a youngster I was an Enid Blyton fan and her circus books were some of my favourites, including Mr Galliano’s Circus.
So I love any excuse to indulge my inner child, get in the Big Top and experience the offerings of a travelling circus (sans the animals). My five-year-old twin sons were just as happy to join me for the ride when we headed to Bonython Park for Circus Rio this week.
The bonus of this circus is that you also get to feel like you’re doing some ‘armchair travel’ simply by sitting in the audience. You’ll imagine that you’re in the middle of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro watching the Samba dancers in their feathered finery strut about and an open-shirted juggler performing tricks, channelling Peter Allen in I Go To Rio. (Seeing him catch balls, pitched by the audience, with his billiard-ball-pocket style belt was a personal fave).
Other highlights included watching a Wonder Woman-alike artfully tumble down an aerial silk, and one performer remove clothing (all above board?) while inside an oversized orange balloon, reminiscent of James and the Giant Peach.
Each show runs for two hours with a 15-minute intermission. By the time the interval rolled around, my boys were ready to move their feet. And awaiting them outside, to hold their interest, were sideshow amusements, including a laughing clowns game, ‘flying car’ ride and carousel. There’s also a circus café. So make sure to bring some pocket change!
The break more than revived my two for the next 45 minutes, with the circus leaving the best for last, in my boys’ eyes, with a FMX, or freestyle motocross, rider soaring through the air in death-defying jumps and stunts. (Your heart will seriously be in your mouth.)
We left on an absolute high. This circus has something for everybody, and I challenge you to stop from wiggling your hips and tapping your feet as the rhythm gets under your skin. Feel the heat!
Circus Rio is at Bonython Park, Adelaide, until 12 May 2019.
Find out more about Circus Rio and book tickets HERE.
This review was written and photographed by Carla Caruso, a women’s fiction author, journo and a Play & Go mum. Check out her website here.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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