Review: Timber! - Cirque Alfonse - Southbank Centre, London ✭✭✭✭
Timber! – Cirque Alfonse
Southbank Centre, London
Timber!
by Cirque Alfonse is the first of Southbank Centre’s two big summer shows and
runs from 10th – 31st July. It’s the UK premier of Timer!
and the UK debut of Cirque Alfonse. Timber! is a daredevil, heart-warming show
steeped in the folklore, traditions and aesthetics of Québec’s lumberjack,
logging and farming heritage.
Timber! is definitely a different kind of show, I have never
seen any show like it. With so many different displays of talent it’s hard to
pin point what was so good. The setting of the show is set in a lumber-camp,
the stage is very impressive, the whole cast remain on the stage throughout the
whole performance as well as the live band, it is a great atmosphere.
The show itself does start off quite slowly, it takes them a
while to get in to their stride. With the first act being a display of high
speed vegetable chopping you aren't really sure what you've let yourself in
for. As the show develops you get to see some amazing displays of strength and
skill. With axe throwing, clog dancing, dare-devil acrobatics, banjo and fiddle
playing and the scariest act I have ever seen done with a saw (I couldn't even
look at some points).
With a father, a son, a daughter, her partner and a two year
old son it is a family affair, you can tell that the whole cast are extremely close
and with some of the acts that they are doing this vital. We even got to meet
the two year old little boy, who stole the show at the end with his little bow,
the most adorable thing I have ever seen.
All in all, once the show got in to the swing of things, it was
great. It’s good to see something different, something unique and be extremely
impressed. It is a show for all ages, with adults and kids enjoying the whole
show and all round family show.
Listings Information
Wednesday 10th – Wednesday 31st July
Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall
Tickets: From £15, Conessions 50% off (limited availability)
Time: Times vary, see website for details
Running time: 1 hour 20 mins (no interval)
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/timber - 0844 847 9944
