^{Picture: Petr Chodura}

Roll up, roll up, for a circus show that’s guaranteed to forever alter the way you see circuses. No clown-cars, bored lions or trapeze action here: Czech company Cirk La Putyka may be highly skilled performers but this is a much more artistically dynamic dance-piece than might be expected. Thoughtful, often beautiful and speaking the international language of kinetic ‘wow’, this largely non-verbal performance should appeal to anyone with imagination.

The talking point here is the runner itself: a long, large conveyor belt, big enough to hold the entire cast at once. They can sit, stand, run, jump and dance on it; as the show goes on, they can even ride a bicycle on it or turn cartwheels inside a hoop. Balls of all sizes and shapes are introduced, resembling planets as they spin magically above the belt.

If you’ve ever fancied riding the luggage carousel at the airport, then this one’s for you. ‘I’d always dreamed of being a human cannonball’ remarks one performer who displays astonishing agility here. But Runners is more than just a show-off physical theatre piece; it’s a wonderful theatrical metaphor for life, the universe and everything, and which deservedly brought a standing ovation from a rapt audience. 

There’s something hypnotic as an optical illusion about the treadmill, and the gleeful abandon with which the performers fling themselves around. Runners is the definition of a break-out Fringe hit: it’s dynamic to look at, has easy to grasp metaphorical strength and is as engaging as a live-action cartoon to watch. 

ZOO Southside, until 28 August, 8.30pm.