Reviewed by Ruby-Isla Cera Marle
A Flip Fabrique production
Playing at the Underbelly Festival until 9th July
For all ages

Quebecois circus group Flip FabriQue make their London debut at the Underbelly Festival with Catch Me (Attrape Moi), a high-octane, playful and extremely impressive display of jaw-dropping circus skills.

Photo: Richard Davenport

With a real spirit of one-upmanship, Catch Me centres around a group of six friends, and is driven by their competitive nature as they attempt to outperform each other, resulting in some truly mesmerising and death-defying feats.

The show manages to pack in everything from beat-boxing diablos, rope work, and hula hoops, to gravity-defying somersaults on trampolines, to name but a few. One of the most remarkable acts is when two of the performers fly through the air on a single aerial strap with a grace that would be more commonly found at the ballet – it really is a spell-binding dance in the sky.

The trust between the performers is tangible, rendering their performances even more of a joy to watch. It also makes their distinctive characters even more likable – it’s remarkable just how intimately you feel you know them all after just one hour.

Photo: Richard Davenport

The energy levels are high, and never flag throughout this fast-paced production. The grand finale comes with the arrival of a giant trampoline on stage. The performers time the act to perfection, with everyone synchronised as they bounce and land in the most improbable positions. The children sitting next to me were absolutely enthralled, as were the rest of us.

The slapstick comic sequences were fun, most notably the scene where the performers were inside their sleeping bags (that one had the children screaming with laughter). The cast genuinely looked to be having an absolute ball, and the mood was infectious. The show was deservedly given a standing ovation, and everyone left with a smile on their face. A fun-filled, very family-friendly hour well spent!

All in all, Flip FabriQue are definitely a company to keep an eye out for and Catch Me is a theatrical treat that is definitely not to be missed. It’s a cliché but true to say that there’s something for all the family here, including an amazing soundtrack that provides  perfect thumping beats for the edge-of-your-seat stunts, before shifting to a hilarious rendition of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana that’s nothing less than a delight for everyone. What more could you ask for?

Ruby currently works for artsdepot as their Digital Marketing Officer. In her spare time she can often be found in a theatre, soaking up the cultural metropolis that is London, or eating tapas. To read some of her other reviews check out her blog or follow her on Twitter @RubyIsla_CM