London-based Ockham’s Razor may be one of a growing crop of UK circus companies, but you won’t find a cloud swing or a trapeze in one of their shows – at least not as you’d recognise it. Instead the group creates custom-built equipment that works with the theme of each piece to bring out daring and play.

In Arc, a giant metal grill is used as a life raft for three performers cast adrift. At first their games are cautious, mirroring and pleasing one another. But inevitably three’s a crowd, and when relationships bloom someone has to be odd man out. The clever thing here is the way the company uses narrative to trigger the gasp factor and danger we expect from circus – but the less said about that the better the surprises.

Every Action is pure delight; four people, one enormous rope and a pulley. The best moments are the problem-solving ones, and it’s nice to see another of circus’s classic elements – clown – hinted at through hapless scrapes.

In each piece, clean visuals and a clear sense of purpose leaves room for the medium’s tricksy side to be just the icing on the cake.

Ockham’s Razor: Arc and Every Action, Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 0844 545 8252, until 26 Aug (not 20), 1.25pm, £14.50–£15.50 (£13.50–£14.50, partial view £9.50–£10.50).