Jerome Thomas is a star of the circus world and he never lets us forget it in this 90-minute show of juggling and object manipulation. There is not a whiff of doubt about Thomas's stupendous, gravity-defying skill, but it is dressed up in a package that is so preening and narcissistic that skill always plays second fiddle to personality.
He takes on a series of circus ring personas from magician to lion-tamer to clown, while always remaining entirely himself. Two musicians and a flunky, Christophe Pilven, pave the way for each of these appearances as if Thomas were some grand diva, not a circus performer.
When it comes to clowning, Pilvin's Circus Boy has the edge: there is a great sequence when he tries to clear up the stage and fails miserably. Thomas has some good moments too, including those where a feather comes to life and another where he tames three eerie white balloons. But all the balletic prancing around and flirting with the audience suggests that even Thomas knows he doesn't have 90 minutes of material. Much of the show is what dressage is to show jumping, undeniably skilful but much less fun to watch.
The show also suffers in comparison with many of the more contemporary circuses that have developed beyond the feat itself and added meaning. You keep looking at Thomas and his tricks thinking: "I know that is masterful but what is it for?" I felt much the same about this show as I feel when I hear someone has just broken the world record for pushing a peanut with their nose - why bother?
· Until August 15. Box office: 0845 120 7512.
