CIRCUS 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Wow!   I kept saying that word throughout the entire performance of this great circus show at the Pantages Theatre.   This is truly a circus spectacular with a huge cast from all over the world performing unique, skillful, and dangerous acts joined by two of the most beautiful elephants, a mother and her baby.

            This is a circus set in 1903 and is presented in two acts.  The scenic design by Todd Ivins is set in an unusual decadent circus tent.  Act 1 represents the front of the circus with trucks, props and rigging.  Act 2 features the tent with flagpoles and rigging being raised into the roof of the theater.

            The timely costumes, designed by Angela Aaron, are re-creations from the 1903 era, styles that were studied by the designer through photographs from the time, historic museum pieces, and from experts in the field.  The exciting soundtrack, played throughout the show, captures the time and coincides with the anxiety of each act.  The music is composed by Evan Jolly.

            Every act is breathtaking.  There are amazing acrobats, unbelievable contortionists, high wire acts, balancing acts, a juggler, and high flying acts that can keep you on the edge of your seat.   Willy Whipsnade (David Williamson), is a charming and delightful Ringmaster.  He adds a lot of fun and makes it a real family show by integrating children from the audience to participate.

            I can’t let you think that you will see two real elephants on the stage of the Pantages.  But you will love the life-like puppets created by the winning team of puppeteers who created the National Theatre’s War Horse.  They appear sporadically throughout the show while the mother teaches her baby!

            Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus, produced by Simon Painter, Tom Lawson and MagicSpace Entertainment, plays only through Sunday, Feb 19, at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.  Hope you can make it in time.