The simple joy of a game of cats’ cradle (where string is tangled into shapes by fingers) is given a giant upscale in this inventive show from Australian circus company One Fell Swoop. The string here is a ships-rigging thick rope on a double pulley which spans the stage, while the fingers are replaced by seven acrobats who pull, twist, knot and dangle themselves into all manner of patterns; and look as if they are having a whale of a time doing it. 

In many ways, By A Thread (and this counts for all circus) is a science show as much as a piece of art. There’s a precision engineering that must be required to calculate exactly how many performers need to counterbalance the climber, or the angle and speed at which a performer must be thrown to catch the rope between their thighs, or the tension needed to be held by the others while an acrobat slides on the small of their back all the way down the diagonal rope to the floor. Perhaps that’s why there is such a lovely rapport between this group, who share smiles and conspiratorial glances throughout. All of this is lit by AfterDark Theatre’s palette of rosy, purple and blue hues, casting a dreamy spell. 

By A Thread, Assembly Roxy, until 25 August, 3.50pm; main picture: Ambrose Kelso.