As part of Circus Extreme’s 2024 tour the magnificent big top has been pitched at Cardiff City Stadium where it will remain up to June 2 before heading to Dundee, Glasgow, and Aberdeen. Wanting to find out if Circus Extreme is truly an experience I visited – joined by my sister (28), son (four), and nephew and niece (four and seven) - to review the experience. As the children had never been to a circus, I looked forward to seeing how they’d react (although I wondered if they’d be able to stay focused and still throughout the two-hour show).
Arriving at Cardiff City Stadium on a Saturday, the big top was a spectacular sight, whimsical both inside and out. Stepping inside I felt like a kid in a sweet shop – vendors were scattered around the lobby offering popcorn, candyfloss, churros, slushies, and more. From here we queued to get into the main arena where women – dressed in beautiful clothing reminiscent of – showed guests of every age to their seats.
We’d gone to a 2pm show on a sunny day; it was fairly warm inside but bearable and the air was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The delightful smells and sounds – popcorn, candyfloss, excited chatter – took me back to my childhood. Circus Extreme promised the audience an escape from reality – and they certainly hit the mark with that.
We were instantly captured by the magic of it all and absolutely mesmerised throughout. As one of the children with us has autism and can struggle with focusing or sta.
