Circus Cortex brings glamour and dazzling displays to Stonham Barns Park, near Stowmarket

All the fun of the circus arrived at Stonham Barns Park, near Stowmarket, at the weekend.

The Circus Cortex big top was pitched in a field at the park from Thursday to Monday, for an unforgettable display of talent and showmanship.

Circus Cortex is touring the country with its new show Golden Age, based on the dazzling era of showbusiness following World War One, when musical numbers, romance and drama were the focus of entertainment.

The company’s mainly Ukrainian cast transported audiences in twice-daily shows back to the glitz and glamour of the time, with breathtaking stunts, action and plenty of clowning around.

I visited with my husband David and seven-year-old daughter Clara for what was an utterly exhilarating performance.

Part of the wonder of a circus is that everyone in the travelling company takes on multiple roles. The staff who show you to your seat or sell you candy floss disappear backstage when the house lights go down, only to reappear in the ring as performers.

So when a stagehand working on the rigging near us before the show ‘accidentally’ spilled half a cone of popcorn over the audience, I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn he was in fact one of two excellent clowns.

The show then opened with talented dancers wearing stunning costumes (compliments to the designer – the costumes throughout were dazzling), as performers appeared in quick succession demonstrating clever acts including acrobatics, high-wire, an upside-down sky walk, rola rola balances, chair stacking balances and perch pole.

The aerial acts were possibly my favourite, although I did have to shut my eyes as one daring performer swung around the big top attached to a rope around her neck.

Every time I looked over at my husband and daughter during the show they either had their mouths open – transfixed – or were laughing and clapping.

We particularly enjoyed the clowns and their clever mime-based acts – one of which even saw David invited into the ring to help.

Much to my surprise he leapt at the chance and rushed centre stage, lapping up the cheers and applause as he tried and failed to successfully lift a stack of boxes.

The second act saw more physical feats of brilliance and more fun with the clowns – we loved the bathtub act, which saw the audience sprayed into the bargain.

As we left the big top we made a donation which will be used to support Ukrainian artists, in return for a poster. Clare beamed as company members signed hers and posed for a picture.

I managed 45 years of life before visiting my first circus in June. Now I have seen two and I am officially converted.

For live performance with something for everyone, I don’t think there is anything to beat it. And Circus Cortex must surely be one of the best out there.

Irina Archer, the show’s director and producer, said: “We are blessed with stunning performers from the Ukraine.

“Behind every performer is a story and this makes the energy and enthusiasm they deliver to the audience all the more incredible.”

Circus Cortex is travelling to Maldon, Witham, Canvey Island and Harlow in the coming weeks. I sincerely hope the show returns to Suffolk so we can see it all over again.