Noodles

Even without the unexplained technical difficulties that bring today's performance to a halt during its first five minutes, Noodles would still be an utter mess. It's not often that NoFit State Theatre's audiences are afforded the opportunity to enjoy the circus pioneers' work inside traditional, seated venues, the company instead preferring to escort them through cavernous tents. This practice has enabled them to create some truly immersive experiences, moving their public from one dazzling spectacle to the next with very little time wasted. Noodles finds its performers almost naked by contrast, with no option but to set up each stunt and setpiece before our very eyes, creating unwelcome feelings of awkwardness and tension in the process.

One interlude sees an anthropomorphic cat take to the stage for a brief set of scatological standup, the purpose of which seems to escape all in attendance. Other comedy vignettes are rendered unintelligible to those without a mastery of Spanish while, elsewhere, lighting and props are painstakingly adjusted and it becomes difficult to separate the show from action traditionally left behind the scenes.

These somewhat bizarre lulls are, however, no stranger than the many masterful highlights that justify the ticket price. Acrobats are carted onstage cocooned in the titular foodstuff or else riding atop carb-heavy chariots. A magician is tormented by his ability to inadvertently duplicate egg yolk, while weirdly respectful tribute is paid to Marilyn Monroe from atop a delicious looking tight rope.

If Noodles tests your patience at times, it can also be said to reward it in equal measure.