There are stirrings down at the Albany, the Deptford venue that buzzed during the late 1970s and early 1980s and then fell into disrepair. How can you have arts in the community when the country is governed by a prime minister who does not believe in society? The regeneration project currently taking place at the Albany demonstrates just how wrong Margaret Thatcher was, and if this Christmas show is not the best advertisement for what is happening down there, at least it reminds us that the Albany is alive and kicking.
The problem with Circus of Dreams is that it overreaches itself. It is trying to do something that even experienced companies have found challenging: meld circus to narrative and bring meaning and metaphor to the physical. This fails before it has even got off the ground, largely because the premise is so banal (you must learn to follow your dreams) and the script so weak. Going through the wardrobe into another universe is just a cliche. As long as the performers are displaying their circus skills the evening chugs along quite nicely; as soon as they open their mouths and speak things grind to a halt. The show also displays circus's traditional appetite for really naff pop music.
As is often the case with British circus performers some of the skill-based routines look a little too much like hard work. This cast is also called upon to act - something beyond most of them. At two hours it is way too long, but it has a certain good-natured charm. Adults and teenagers may well yawn, younger kids won't care.
· Until January 10. Box office: 020-8692 4446.
