Dear Mummy, the circus is in town! We jumped at the chance to see one of the world’s most famous shows after hearing so many great reviews of the Moscow State Circus. They were only in Reading for 2 days at the end of the Easter holidays, so we packed our bags and headed to see this spectacular show.
We’ve been to the circus before visiting Jay Miller’s Circus in Basingstoke which was my first experience of the big top and I loved it. We had high expectations with this touring company of performers.
Daddy booked tickets online in advance off the Moscow State Circus website and choose our seats. We picked ringside seats so we could fully immerse ourselves in the show. (I think Mummy and Daddy might have hoped I’d run off to join the circus!!)
On entering the big top, we quickly realised that infact it doesn’t matter which seating position you pick, whether you are ringside, ringside VIP, Grandstand Deluxe or normal Grandstand, as all seating positions give you a good view. The seats are tiered and unless you are right at the back on the sides, that would be the only less advantageous viewing position.
It was a packed house and after visiting the toilets outside, which were clean and spacious, we headed into the first small tent which was a great idea given our wonderful British weather.
Inside this tent were the food outlets and souvenir stand, I have a fascination with Russian Dolls so we picked up a set of 5 nesting dolls to remind me of our visit to the Moscow State Circus. We picked up some popcorn, £3 for a small tub and £5 for a large (be prepared to take some cash with you as only one stand had a card machine) and some candy floss for the show and headed through a marquee tunnel to the Big Top.
We didn’t want to take too many photos, as we don’t want to give the game away and to be quite honest we spent most of the show transfixed on the performers. It was amazing inside the big top! Stewards in bell-boy type suits took our tickets and showed us to our ringside seats. Popcorn girls walking around with large old-fashioned trays of popcorn. The air was full of anticipation and a hum of chatter until the spotlight finally fell on the main character of the show.
The European tour follows a story about a girl called Zhenya who is granted seven wishes. The circus followers her around Russia trying to find happiness and fulfillment.
The show was full of surprises and wonderment, from street-dance jugglers dressed in neon under UV lights to acrobats suspended from glass bubbles high up in the air. It was truly a spectacular show and worth every penny. There were a few seats left too on the sides of the big top so anyone could have walked off the street to see the performance (you don’t always have to book in advance but it is suggested to avoid disappointment).
I had a wonderful time and was awestruck! My mouth open throughout the whole performance, my little hands clapping furiously and a big smile when the spotlight disappeared after every act.
We loved the two main characters Wizard Wako and his side kick Natalia and found them really engaging. There was even a giggle from us when the wish maker took to the trampoline with a very slapstick routine which had the crowd roaring with laughter. Compere, Clown and acrobat all in one, he was very talented and seemed very seasoned.
We’d definitely recommend a trip to the circus for little ones, it’s really a sensory overload but in a good way! Better than watching anything similar on the telly, a circus experience is the whole package and still brings back the traditions that still make circuses as popular as ever. Sights, sounds and smells of candy-floss! There may not be animals anymore (for good reason) but this has given rise to the traditional art of story telling and allowed very talented performers to have a platform to amaze us little ones with magic, mystery and fantasy.
Moscow State Circus is still touring the South of England, so make sure you catch them if you can – I’m certain you won’t regret it!
Love Bella X
dearmummyblog.com 
I took my eldest to see the Moscow state circus a few years ago when it was in Newcastle and she loved it too. It looks like you had a great time. I got my daughter some of those pink Russian dolls too, she still has them in her bedroom xx
I’d love to take my little girl to something like this – a proper circus! Now if only one would come by near our area, would love to be able to watch too. x
We have a circus that visits us once a year I may take Blake when he is a little older it looks like fun!
We visited the Moscow State Circus a few years ago and I have to say I was on the edge of my seat for most of it or covering my eye! At one point I had to yell to one of the dancers that his Zulu head dress was on fire after he’d limboed under a flame. We were glad all the performers were in one piece when we left LOL!
I have only ever been to a circus once. I was about five and all I could remember was one of the audience members seats broke and they fell through. The things you remember! I thought once animals were banned circuses would disappear but I am glad they seem to be reemerging with some extremely talented acts. I would like to take my girls one day.
Sounds like a great trip out! I haven’t been to the circus since I was little but look forward to going again when our little one is old enough! #BloggerClubUK
I often think nowadays too many good nights/days out are spoilt by trying to take too many pictures rather than enjoying the event.
I have not been too a circus for probably 50 yrs, I do remember the elephants and tigers when I went, and have to say I am glad they have got rid of animals. The tight rope walkers really scared me back then.
Glad you enjoyed the show, and a great tip to take cash with you
The acrobats simply wow me with how amazing they are x
This looks great. I can’t t remember the last time I went to a circus
I have only been to the circus once and that was when I was about 8 and they still used tigers- thank god they do not do that anymore! Glad you had a good time.
Wow I would love to go there with the children it looks great
I love taking mine to the circus, cannot wait for it to come here
This looks like a fabulous afternoon out! The last time I was taken to the circus it had animals and I had to leave because it made me cry! This on the other hand looks like a lot of fun.
Great post
I’ve not been to a circus for about 15 years! I used to love them! Going to see if there is one coming to our town as I really want to take the kids now x
I haven’t been to the circus in years. I think my daughter would love it. Glad you had a good time x
This looks like an awesome day out – and I love those nesting dolls too, they’re so pretty! x
Oh wow! That looks amazing!! I’ve never been to a circus before! #KCACOLS
It was a great experience! Worth every penny to see the performance and soak up the atmosphere! xx
Wow it looks like you had a great time! I would love to take my daughter to the circus. #kcacols
Were the clowns very clowny? I can’t do clowny clowns they scare me!! #KCACOLS
Nope. Not one conventional clown in sight!! 😉
Phew!
I love the circus! Such fun! Those Russian Dolls are so gorgeous, I have a set of them on my windowsill. xx
#KCACOLS
Sounds (and looks) like you had a lot of fun! I haven’t been to the circus since I was a little kid. #KCACOLS
We have visited a Christmas show at a circus but its no where near this large, this sounds amazing and I love the photos. I think I will be keeping an eye out for this in the future. Thank you for sharing it with us at #BloggerClubUK hope to see you again this week x
Really interesting as I have recently wondered what the circus is like these days. Glad you all had so much fun! Xx
This looked like a great day out. I went to see the Moscow State Circus years ago when I was little but we have never taken the boys. I think they would be the same as you Bella and have their mouths wide open thoroughout! 🙂
Thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS and I hope to see you back again on sunday x
What a wonderful day out and a great experience to remember. That daddy daughter photo in the middle shows that pure delight and amazement at the performance #Letkidsbekids #KCACOLS
Looks like a great time. Thanks for linking up with the #FabFridayPost
We love the circus… there’s always that wow factor that’s so exciting, for kids and adults alike! My kids always like the clowns 🙂 x
Looks like you had a wonderful time. We visited the circus for the first time earlier this year, but it wasn’t a very big one, this one sounds amazing.
Thanks for sharing with #LetKidsBeKids
I haven’t been to the circus since I was little and even though the acts were great my favorite part was going with my siblings and dad. I’m happy you had a good time!