JAWS dropped and hearts were in mouths when the French-Canadian dance troupe Cirque Éloize graced the stage at Southampton’s Mayflower theatre last night.

Set against a drab grey backdrop akin to Fritz Lang’s Metropolis or Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, Cirkopolis transported the audience into a steampunk world with a city floating above the clouds.

Inside this city, office workers revolt against their monotonous lifestyle with incredibly athletic circus acts colliding with innovative dance routines.

Opening with a comic sketch where the clown (Ashley Carr) was stuck stamping an ever-increasing stack of papers, the stage was set for a dystopian world full of intrigue.

From the moment it began, an ensemble cast – some of whom were making their debut last night – took their turns to fly through the air showing off their circus skills, each on a cog like those their fictitious city ran on.

You could hear a pin drop when it looked as if Lea Toran Jenner had attained perpetual motion as she circled round and round on the Cyr Wheel, bringing grace and colour to the stage clothed in red.

Gallic flair was in abundance as Maria Combarros made eyes pop on stalks as she contorted her body to bring her feet behind her head while balancing on her forearms.

Olivier Poitras and Maude Arseneault drew gasps as they somersaulted up a Chinese pole before falling at breakneck speed.

Many were on the edge of their seat when strongman Ugo Laffolay swayed dangerously while balancing on poles metres in the air.

It was thrilling stuff and truly spellbinding evening.

Cirkopolis is on tonight and tomorrow, with the last performance on Saturday night. 

  • Tickets for Cirkopolis (Wednesday, March 11-Saturday 14) are on sale from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 023 8071 1811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.

ED STILLIARD