5 reasons to see ostentatious circus show Limbo
The show features contortions, sword-swallowing, live music and magic
1 The contortionist was a body double for Jim Carrey in The Grinch. Jonathan Nosan is humankind’s answer to the elastic band. He bends backwards, then bends some more. That’s why his stuntman credits also include Big Fish and The Bounty Hunter.
2 When the sword swallower started, she was the youngest in the world. Heather Holliday got her big break as a high-school intern at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and was swallowing swords at the age of just 17. Today, the only thing more remarkable than her ability to put away two feet of solid steel is her flameproof skill at eating fire.
3 Musical director Sxip Shirey, who has worked with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, is big on home-made instruments. His band includes polymba player Mick Stuart: ‘The polymba is 15 African thumb pianos; he made them himself, including cutting the spring steel.’
4 The director ditched Shakespeare for circus. ‘I love the theatre, but often I’m really bored,’ says ex-actor Scott Maidment. ‘I wanted to create shows that people who might go to a band or a DJ would like.’
5 It’s quite simply magic! When these agile acrobats aren’t spinning, dancing, contorting or bending over backwards, they’re disappearing into thin air!
Paradiso Spiegeltent, St Andrew Square, Fri 22 Nov–Sat 4 Jan, various times, £10–£45. To
book call 0844 545 8252 or visit edinburghschristmas.com.