Festival time always brings a bit of variety to the Norwich stages, but it is a while since I have seen anything as spectacular as the Race Horse Company with their Super Sunday show.
Neither the company name nor the show title give much clue as to what will happen. This is a performance of high grade athletic and circus skills from six superfit Finns. 
They need to be fit. These six men take acrobatic endeavour to a higher level. Whether on giant trampolines, a huge rotating twin -wheel structure or just on a rather oversize see-saw they vault, twist jump and dance their way through a well produced show.
It is great fun, partly because it is done with great humour and some bizarre but hilarious staging, from the first moment of a rather slow entry on legless horses shuffling around the stage. Race Horse Company. Geddit?
There is a human catapult, and a flying bear, and plenty of high altitude action that makes you grip your seat as they fly about the Theatre Royal stage.
The six are all well trained and work together very tightly. Their only safety protection is a few large beards and long hair. Sometimes this is virtually all they wear, too.
The music is appropriate and modern, with a pounding bass matching some of the lively athletic action.
They are back for a second night today, and I would happily go again to catch more of the detail of this action packed and hugely impressive display of circus and dance skills. I did wonder if they had popped into the Breakin Convention hip hop dance masterclasses on Saturday as they encompass these skills too. A great night out of thrills, and happily, no spills!
©Julian Swainson
Festival Events at Theatre Royal Listing:
Super Sunday, Monday 15-Tuesday 16 May at 8pm. Tickets £7-£24. Discounts for Friends and Under-18s
Chotto Desh, Thursday 18 May at 7.30pm. Tickets £7-£20. Discounts for Friends and Under-18s
An Evening With Philip Glass & Laurie Anderson, Friday 19 May at 8pm. Tickets £8-£58. Discounts for Friends. Presented by Norwich Theatre Royal in partnership with Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Saturday 20 May at 8pm. Tickets £8-£28. Discounts for Friends
To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the Festival booking line on 01603 766400