Review: The Wing Scuffle Spectacular ★★★★★
Authentically and joyously rough around the edges, Revel Puck Circus’s Wing Scuffle Spectacular is still a heart-warming triumph!
The Wing Scuffle Spectacular | Beckenham Place Park | Until 8 January 2023 | £17
When last we saw Revel Puck Circus do their thing, in the summer of 2021, we were won over by the sheer, boundless enthusiasm of the troupe. Now in Beckenham Place Park as part of We Are Lewisham’s festive offering, Wing Scuffle Spectacular retains its infectious joy.
The self-proclaimed ‘celebration of fear’ is actually a warm-hearted, playful, all-embracing celebration of daring, and daring again.
If you’re determined to check off the circus skills, this show will please you: there’s impressive Cyr wheel work, a beautiful straps routine, acrobatic aerial tumbling, show stopping juggling, mind-boggling tight-rope walking, and THAT massive rola bola!
Linking it all together, though, is the shining example of what really makes The Wing Scuffle Spectacular such a special circus show. The simply beautiful clowning of Arielle Lauzon is a generous dollop of fuzzy, winter warmth – like a hug under a blanket in front of a roaring fire, Lauzon’s appearances warm the cockles. And that’s what the whole Wing Scuffle Spectacular does in spades: it embraces its audience, truly a soothing balm for these dark, cold winter days and nights.
If we were to grumble, perhaps we would remark that there’s not a whole lot new here since 2021 – and we did miss Sam Goodburn (recently wowing the crowds at Le Clique in Leicester Square), though Arielle Lauzon is at least his match! But, hey, it’s Christmas – who are we to grumble?!
A great alternative to catching a panto, The Wing Scuffle Spectacular is an awesome treat for all the family!
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
