Circus                                                                 By 3 is a Crowd                                             Big Top, The Pleasure Garden                 February 10th

Mesmerising. If I was restricted to one word to describe Fright or Flight, that’d be it. On occasions I was so captivated, I neglected my job to applaud.

I never realised how compelling it is to see acrobatics live. I’ve seen the body do miraculous manoeuvres on television talent shows. But seeing it in the flesh is a whole new level of surreality.

Not only did 3 is a Crowd provide a range of fascinating acts, they performed them with such charm and self-control it was hard to believe the female trio were human. Even their awkward chicken walk was a flawless imitation. Their show was an eye opener on what incredible things your body can achieve with determination and practice.

The only let down was in between their mind-blowing acts. Separating their main acts of flips around a hanging hoop, rolling down a suspended rope and using glass bottles as a tight rope, the trio performed silly skits based around bird interpretations. They’re not lying when they describe their show as absurd; transferring from mesmerising body movements and music to dressing up as squawking birds is a mood killer, but give it five or so minutes and they return to captivating body twists and twirls.

Fright or Flight as given me the acrobatic circus bug – I could watch them flip and spin around a hoop for hours and still be in total awe. How they do it so effortlessly – while also wearing latex leggings and feathers – is beyond me.

Fright or Flight runs until Sunday 15th of February. Check them out in the Fringe Guide here.