Superhuman skills rock this circus

Most people love a circus. It's filled with thrills, magic, enchantment and fantasy, all held together by a ringmaster.

Durban

Rock Circus

• Where: The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway
• When: Until May 30
• Cast: Clinton Philander (ringmaster); Orlando Vargas, Natalie Roberts, Shannon Webster, Marco Vargas, Exequiel Silva (acrobatic performers, jugglers and fire- eaters); Steph Both, Yvette Barnard (vocals); Andy Murray, Raymond Verster, Rixi Roman, and Colin Heaney (band)

While animal-act circuses have, to a large extent, fallen out of favour, circuses based on human acrobatics, death-defying stunts, mind-boggling dexterity and a whole lot of glamour have captured the contemporary imagination.

The famous Cirque du Soleil, for example, presents a level of physical skill that is almost superhuman. Orlando Vargas, one half of the aerial act in the Barnyard's Rock Circus, began his career with a similar establishment, the Chilean-based Circo del Mundo, at the age of 16. The other half of the act is Natalie Roberts, his wife, a South African, who was invited by Cirque du Soleil to perform as one of an international gathering of skilled artists at the opening of the Oxfam International Youth Parliament in Australia in 2004. The couple worked at the Madam Zingara Theatre of Dreams for a year, and joined the cast of Rock Circus in 2008.

The circus is now in Durban. Vargas and Roberts have not only been blessed with superhuman ability but with exceptional good looks, and are a joy to watch, whether hanging upside down with nothing for support but a silk scarf around an ankle, or running up the side of the centre pole like a capuchin monkey.

They are joined by Vargas's equally dexterous brother, Marco, as well as Exequiel Silva, who juggled the audience into a dizzying round of applause which grew in strength when the objects being juggled were set alight.

Completing the troupe is Shannon Webster, who you are bound to remember as the one who slithers around an aerial hoop, and occasionally hangs from it by her big toe.

The "rock" part of the title comprises two vocalists and a four-piece band with a truly gifted guitarist, Andy Murray.

Holding it all together is ringmaster Clinton Philander, a Durban favourite and an old hand at entertaining the crowds. Full of cheeky banter with a not-inconsiderable voice, Philander is the definitive ringmaster, creating the pace, defining the mood, conducting the audience and directing the show. There are few surprises on the song list - indeed, it's an opportunity for the audience to sing along while gasping at the mind-blowing acrobatics taking place overhead.

As usual, The Barnyard's relaxed style and familiar offerings present a sense of comfort that translates seamlessly into entertainment. This show keeps to the trusted formula and cranks it up a notch. A great night out.