A man throwing knives at a spinning circular board while a woman is attached to it, a performer suspended 20 feet in the air by her hair and an award-winning juggler with charisma to boot are just some of what you can expect at this year’s Russell’s International Circus.
The iconic and award-winning circus, featuring an array of wild and wacky acts from across the globe, has arrived in Cleethorpes for its 2024 season.
Crowds of families flocked to the big top in the field beside Pennell’s Garden Centre on Humberston Road for the first show of the opening night on Wednesday, September 11 – and I was lucky enough to be among them.
We arrived about 20 minutes ahead of the show, queued up to collect our tickets and headed into the big top to get something to eat. The food stands are situated in a separate section of the tent when you first walk in, and visitors can choose from burgers and hot dogs, donuts, popcorn, candy floss and sweets galore.
Walking into the second section of the big top, it was clear to see that all of the best seats with a frontal view of the stage had been taken (note: I’d probably arrive about 45 minutes before the start time to ensure you get a good seat), so we found some at the side of the stage. The view was still good, but I would’ve probably preferred a seat in the middle.
Before long, the lights dimmed and performances began. We also came to the event last year and really enjoyed it, so it was nice to see that many of the same acts are performing for another year.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
These include the Tangier Troupe acrobats from Morocco, Adela Pazaran from Mexico who has perfected the art of being suspended by just her hair, and John Fossett and Kelly Walker, a former hairdresser who was born and raised in Grimsby. The couple are renowned for their adrenaline-worthy trapeze act as he rides his motorbike across a single wire 30 feet in the air.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
Other familiar faces include hoop and trapeze artist Rumah Katzen from Australia, the mischievous Emil the clown (if you’re sitting near the front, you might just be chosen to be part of one of his acts), and Rusty and Amanda Russell’s teenage son, whose performance of ‘I Want to Break Free’ whilst dressed as Freddie Mercury, did not disappoint.
One of my favourite acts of the whole night was by new face Gordon Marquez from Mexico, who was recently awarded the bronze medal for his fast-paced juggling act at the Las Vegas Variety Festival.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
His performance was so captivating and energetic – he spins around and does forward rolls while one of the pins is still in the air, and he’s back on his feet just in time to catch it.
The parts of the show that left most people on the edge of their seats (including me) were the motorbike stunt and the knife-throwing act, in which a performer launches daggers at a wooden board that is spinning at top speed with a woman attached to it. Only at the circus, eh?
The show was fantastic last year, but I thought it was even better this time around. It’s just pure entertainment from start to finish, with not only stunts and performances that will shock and leave the audience in awe, but also dance-worthy music and classic comedy sketches that are always a hit with members of the crowd, both old and young.
With the weather getting colder and nights getting darker, a visit to Russell’s International Circus is guaranteed to cheer you up.
