SOMETIMES skill and daring are not quite enough. Several of the members of the Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Ice, such as the girl performing tumbling routines on a bar held by two men on ice skates; the businesslike couple on aerial straps; the trio propelling themselves about the ice on large wheels; the juggler balancing a giant metal cube, all demonstrate both.
Perhaps it is due to having seen so much world class gymnastics as well as world class figure skating that the combination of both arts, made all the more difficult by perform.ing on a tiny rink, results in a laboured show.
Several of the acrobatic routines impress. Some of the more ballet like, invariably performed to Tchaikovsky, are graceful and occasionally beautifully lit, while the Russian dancing is lively and colourful, if stagey.
The most dramatically visual sequence resurrects Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells as a team of acrobats exuding a space age like androgyny briefly create a surrealistic mood.
Too many of the acts end prematurely in contrast to the amount of time lavished on a pair of not particularly funny clowns whose most comic routine is a skit on boy with broken heart meets giant girl, i.e., fat clown dressed as ballerina.
Compared with the style, sophisticated comedy and diversity of the superb Il Forilegio, the touring Italian circus, this show Jacks atmosphere and personality.
There are moments, but considering Russia's strength in depth in ice skating and gymnastics, as well as its mighty circus tradition, one leaves here expecting much, much more.
