IT IS SOMETHING of a contradiction for the Moscow Circus to hold a road show in a city the size of Hong Kong. The big top will be packed up and moved four times - to Tsuen Wan, Tai Wai, Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun - after its opening run at Victoria Park. But judging by Friday night's crowd, it should pack them in whereever it stops.
This is not a show, however, that will please everyone. I was far from impressed, but that may be due in part to sitting in a poorly ventilated tent for nearly three hours
Youngsters, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the show from start to finish and never looked bored.
But for me, it was the acts themselves that failed to inspire. The dogs and horses, for instance, were asked to perform simple tricks such as jumping and trotting to a beat. Now I realise it can take years of training to master these seemingly simple moves, but it's hardly compulsive viewing. The poor beasts looked to have lost their souls, and after a while I had lost my concentration.
The acrobats were unquestionably the stars, pulling off some nerve-jangling leaps on the high trapeze.
But the warmest applause was saved for the Chinese child who took up an invitation to ride the unicycle on the wire, showing skill, dexterity and a twinkling of showmanship.