“Catch! Joyful Circus Skills with a Few Drops Along the Way”
Catch! is a 45 to 50 minute showcase of friendship, flair and circus skill, performed recently at the Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh. Two friends take to the stage with absolute joy and warmth, sharing an array of hard-earned tricks from hoop routines and baton twirling to juggling with both balls and batons, all set against a lively and eclectic musical soundtrack.
The show’s highlight comes midway through: a captivating sequence set to Pentatonix’s famous Daft Punk medley. Using long sticks as props, the duo deliver a mesmerising display of rhythm and form, their movements perfectly in sync with the beat. It is the kind of moment that draws wide eyes and tapping toes, offering a glimpse of what this talented pair can truly do when everything clicks.
That said, Catch! is not always as seamless as one might hope. There are frequent baton drops, a rogue hoop that nearly finds its way into the audience, and the occasional sense that the choreography is still finding its footing. Yet, to the performers’ credit, their cheerful energy never falters. Every mishap is handled with grace and humour, their smiles unwavering, their showmanship endearing. From a cheeky look to the audience to a little pout of sass.
The opening and closing sequences, however, sets a slower tone. To an ethereal melody, the pair drift about the stage, gently unpacking an ornate box filled with all white props(a nice choice against the black of the stage and back curtain). It is an intriguing setup, but it takes a little too long, with what feels like nearly a third of the show’s runtime spent on the unpacking (and later, repacking) of that same box. While they find creative ways to keep it engaging, and the adults in the audience may appreciate the artistry, younger viewers were getting restless.
Throughout, there is a recurring motif of connection: lingering eye contact, shared smiles, deep breaths before the next attempt. While these pauses are understandable moments of recalibration, they occasionally verge on feeling overly intimate, as though we are intruding on a private ritual between the pair. Similarly, a few tricks are repeated one too many times; the nose-balancing “dolphin” routine, for instance, loses some of its sparkle by the fourth appearance.
Still, there are moments of genuine magic. The use of a white umbrella to create a dreamlike floating illusion is particularly enchanting. It is in these pockets of inventiveness and charm that Catch! shines brightest.
Ultimately, Catch! is a warm-hearted and joyful celebration of skill, friendship and shared passion. Its imperfections are many, but its spirit is undeniable. You leave feeling that you have spent time with two performers who not only love what they do, but quite possibly, love each other too.