CIRCUS 1903 Review – Brings Nostalgic Fun and Artistry to Paris Las Vegas

CIRCUS 1903 a grand production at Paris Las Vegas includes aerial acrobats, the fastest juggler, high wire balancing, and two amazing mechanical elephants

Puppeteers perform with an elephant puppet named Queenie (L) and puppeteer Luke Chadwick-Jones operating a baby elephant puppet named Peanut during the opening night of "CIRCUS 1903" at Paris Las Vegas(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas) *** Local Caption *** Luke Chadwick-Jones
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The members of Los Lopez perform a high wire act during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey may have taken its tent down forever, but the Circus has come to town — well actually to the strip. CIRCUS 1903 a grand production at Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas does the circus proud with aerial acrobats, the fastest juggler I’ve ever seen, high wire balancing, and the piece de resistance – two amazing mechanical elephants that will win your heart.

Juggler Francois “The Great Gaston” Borie performs during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” at Paris Las Vegas on July 25, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

Grab your popcorn at the snack bar and settle in as the technologically simulated tent is raised in a well choreographed number with some of the 19 cast members dressed circa 1903.

Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade tosses popcorn into the crowd during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” at Paris Las Vegas on July 25, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

The ringmaster – Willy Whipsnade – keeps things moving and provides some delightful comic relief with kids from the audience complete with some old fashioned slight of hand magic. And what a pleasure to see the ringmaster portrayed by a performer – David Williamson – who is on my side of 50!

Florian “The Cycling Cyclone” Blummel performs in  “CIRCUS 1903” (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

This is as close to a real circus as we we will see in Las Vegas. It isn’t a Cirque de Soleil production. It is a circus. The scenery gives us the illusion of the big top. The performers, most gathered from first class productions in Europe are literally at the top of their game. Remember those high flying acts. There they are.

Senayet “The Elastic Dislocationist” Assefa Amara performs during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” at Paris Las Vegas on July 25, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas) *** Local Caption *** Senayet Assefa Amara

And a young female contortionist who amazes the audience with her agility. And snake charmers, and a man on stilts. Nostalgic thoughts going through your head now?

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 25: Puppeteers perform with an elephant puppet named Queenie (L) and puppeteer Luke Chadwick-Jones operating a baby elephant puppet named Peanut  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas) *** Local Caption *** Luke Chadwick-Jones

A highlight of the show which everyone will be talking about happens when the two mechanical elephants come on stage. The baby – Peanut – will win your heart. So believable. They were created by the award winning puppeteers from Broadway’s War Horse.

The Flying Finns perform with a teeterboard during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903”  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

Remember the old days of the circus, when one guy jumped on one end of the seesaw and propelled the other up high into the air? Well, you can see it again. AND there’s a side show called Wild, Weird and Wonderful. And it is, but more than that, it is a nostalgic, delightful, fun time.

“The Sensational Sozonov”  Geddy Pavlovich performs during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” at Paris Las Vegas . (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

I chatted with 13 year old Dayton Costa after the show and solicited his opinion. “Amazing” he said. There you have it. Take the grandkids, take the kids, borrow some kids, or just reconnect with the kid inside you as you see Circus 1903 in the Paris Theater at Paris Las Vegas. Show is nightly at 7 except Mondays with 3 p.m. matinees Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Cast members perform during the opening night of “CIRCUS 1903” (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for CIRCUS 1903 At Paris Las Vegas)

Tickets may be purchased online at Circus 1903, by phone at 702-777-2782 or by visiting the Paris box office. For more information, visit Circus 1903 and connect with the show onTwitterInstagram and Facebook – @Circus1903.

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