Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017 is in full swing! The City of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, transforms into the worlds’ cutting edge performing arts capital for 3 weeks of every August and circus continues to play a big role in that magical transformation. Last year, the city hosted 3,269 shows in 294 venues. In the past decade, the circus programming of the festival have grown gradually but steadily. In 2017, festival-goers can enjoy over 20 circus shows from all over the world.  We selected some of most buzzed about shows for you to preview here.

Acéléré by Circolombia (COLOMBIA)

Acrobatic excellence all the way from Bogotá, Colombia, performed by a 13-strong troupe which last impressed Fringe audiences with its 2011 show, Urban.

All Genius All Idiot by Svalbard Company (SWEDEN)

Svalbard Company have been touring this show – a mash-up of circus, music and dance – for a couple of years now, and this Fringe run comes in association with festival favorites Aurora Nova. It’s a unique, energetic and by turns laugh-out-loud funny offering from four talented performers, offering a wry dissection of masculinity.

Batacchio by Cirk La Putyka (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Award-winning contemporary circus company mixes breathtaking acrobatics, original music, magic tricks and unexpected illusions in a fantastical journey to the spectacular comedies of the 19th century. Batacchio fluctuates between real and unreal, truth and illusion, combining new circus, dance and theatre with disciplines rarely seen on stage – ventriloquism and stage magic.

China Goes Pop by China Arts and Entertainment Group (CHINA)

Chinese acrobatic expertise meets western music and design in this fun mix of acrobatics, circus skills and dance, set to a feel-good pop soundtrack.

Humans by Circa (AUSTRALIA)

Australia’s Circa has risen to the top of the circus tree in recent years, with each show taking this exciting, talented company in a different direction. We can’t wait to see what they do this year.

 Ethiopian Dreams by Circus Abyssinia (ETHIOPIA)

Arriving on the juggling scene as teenage sensations in the 1990s, Ethiopian duo Bibi and Bichu have gone on to perform around the world. Here they’re joined by a team of acrobats for this semi-autobiographical tale of two brothers.

Cirkopolis by Cirque Eloize (CANADA)

Inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1920s’s film, Metropolis, Quebec’s Cirque Éloize finds a way to have fun in a grey world, with world-class acrobatics, juggling, Cyr wheel and more.

Kin by Barely Methodical Troupe (UK)

A big hit with its previous Fringe show, Bromance, England’s Barely Methodical Troupe returns with another batch of acrobatic trickery, mixed with dance, parkour and b-boying.

Paris de Nuit by Recirquel (HUNGARY)

Budapest’s Recirquel Company take us back to 1930s Paris, with aerial work, acrobatics, juggling and more, all served up in a decadent, cabaret-style package.

The Ping-Pong Ball Effect by Upsala Circus (RUSSIA)

The first Fringe outing for St Petersburg youth circus Upsala, who dare to mix the unpredictability of the ping-pong ball with their acrobatics, clowning and live music.

Sigma by Gandini Juggling (UK)

Quality and excellence go hand in hand with the name Gandini Juggling, so expect to be suitably impressed by the company’s latest show, which fuses Indian classical dance style Bharatanatyam with juggling and percussion.

Transit by Flip FabriQue (CANADA)

Canada’s Flip FabriQue impressed the crowds with last year’s Fringe show, Attrape Moi (Catch Me), so hopes are high Transit will feature more dynamic diablo, juggling, trampoline and acrobatic action.

For ticket information about the shows visit Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Source: The List and EdFringe.
Main Image: Kin by Barely Methodical Troupe