(4 / 5)

This year’s fringe seems to be the fringe of nostalgia. Heralding me back to my youth, YUCK Circus take on the days of the 2000’s with music, anecdotes and circus tricks galore.

As with any circus show, there are different acts to follow. While they don’t transition into one another, they are more traditional with breaking into different acts and having a cabaret style compere in between. Dressed in a hot pink outfit, matching sunglasses and a little flipping dog toy in a bag, she fantastically introduces each act, with plenty of audience interaction to rouse us into the mood and opportunities to bring us anecdotes of this time that we probably forgot about. Not only do we feel OLD and weirdly young at the same time, but we feel like a community because we all remember this time together and as one. She may be on stage but she is our friend in this moment of reminiscing.

The acts all have some theme, harking back to this time. Introduced well to coax us in the mood and warm us up, they vary from silks and ropes up high, hula hoops with flashing lights emanating from them to flinging one another around and up high. The tricks aren’t the most dangerous but they are seamless, skilful, and ultimately awe-worthy. What really brings them to life and is so unique with this group is the personality that oozes from each of them. They are fully invested, having the best time of their lives and come across as so relatable, lovely and fun! We either want to be them or want to be their friends! Their facial expressions and commitment to an act makes us belly laugh and from start to finish, it’s so much fun.

If you are from this time, you very much will know every tune playing. Singing at the top of my lungs (and likely annoying my neighbours) I shocked myself in how much I knew – like a sleeper agent waking up. And, while this is something that may not happen for everyone, for me, it was like having the best night out with all my mates. A time where we were young, careful and without any financial debt!

Naughties by YUCK Circus is every 90s and 00s teen dream – at a time where we both feel like adults and children, being transported to the days that defined us through laughter, music, dance and fantastic circus skills is such an enjoyable moment and will rejuvenate you even on the most bleak of days.