We're into the last few days of our vacation back east where I serve the two key Dad-on-vacation functions: ATM and Pack Mule. I'll provide some detail on what made this trip a bit different in a future post but today we gathered up the gang and took a road trip to Sandwich, MA to see Circus Smirkus.
Circus Smirkus is a traveling show put on by young performers. It's not an "animal circus" thankfully, but one that focuses on acrobatics, juggling, and some good clowning around. It was a bit hot in that tent (and cardboard fans are only $1?) but the troupe put on a good two hour show. My kids really enjoyed it - and that's a range of four to nine for those keeping score at home. Smirkus runs a summer camp in Vermont to teach circus-type skills.
The write-up I saw talked about the science angle to it but really the science part was just folks dressed up with white coats and some funny technology. These were the "clowns" between the acrobats and jugglers. The MC was a robot kind of guy - very well done, and the show had an overarching theme and recurring skits that held together.
My favorite skit was at the end, when a "science clown" asked a girl from the audience to come forward. With some very good original music, which was quiet and magical, he gave her a tray to hold and he squirted a three foot tall tower of bubbles onto her plate. Cool. He sliced the top two feet off with his hand and it slowly rose up, tumbling gently to the music. We all watched this thing rise to the top and then disappear out of the tent. It was silent for a second and then everyone applauded. Pretty magical for a plate of bubbles.
It reminded me a bit of Teatro Zinzani in Seattle, but adjusted for kids. Apparently these kids are doing seventy shows this summer and if it shows up in your town, I suggest checking it out.
Photo by hbp_pix!
Glad you enjoyied the show & my picture!
HP
Posted by: Harry Powers | October 20, 2008 at 06:19 PM