Tumble Circus: This Is What We Do For A Living

If there is such a thing as a domestic circus scene, this is what greets us on entering the Udderbelly. A huge bed is strewn with cushions, and next to it, dangling above a dainty white kitchen table, hangs a trapeze. But then, as we discover from the opening five minutes, the duo who make up Tumble Circus are a couple who like a good domestic.

Over the course of the show, married pair Tina Segner and Ken Fanning lead us through break-ups, arguments and even attempts to incite jealousy in one another by seducing members of the audience. In the case of Fanning this is done by shimmying up a rope three times to collect a rose to the dulcet tones of 'Je T'Aime.'

You may have guessed by now that the pair have a glorious sense of fun and don't take themselves—or each other—too seriously, sticking the odd kick or slap into a series of balances, swapping a dress from her to him while she is standing on his shoulders. Their talents, however, are deadly serious, and this is borne out no better than in the fabulous final trapeze act which sees them clambering all over one another in a way that is so effortless it belies the amount of dedication, training and natural chemistry that has gone into the act.

In case we were in any doubt, they do tell us at the beginning: 152, 352 hours of working together, travelling via 950 hotel rooms. But after all, this is what they do for a living.