Review: Circus “Carnation”, NoFitState Sat 2 - Mon 25 May, Black Rock, Brighton CARN

The large tent is at the end of Madeira Drive. Hundreds of seats arranged in a circle. Almost sold out.

There’s a circus ring, and a large climbing structure with arms going out at different angles.

The whole evening comprises acrobatic feats of astonishing  daring and complexity.  And humour. And what appeared to be magic. The show has everything.

We were greeted at the entrance gate by tour manager Rebecca Davies who, once we were all seated, was there to help and answer questions.

Emanuele, young, handsome and sociable, chatted us up as we took our seats - me and my companion, in the third row. Performer Gon opened the show in the ring, providing the comedy, juggling a handful of small white circles which bent and twisted and balanced in different positions around his body. He dropped them, retrieved them and threw them about. Just to get us warmed up to the sight of acrobats scaling the arms of the rigging in the middle of the ring.

Ropes and ladders hung from the top, moving up and down along with the acts. How were they controlled? Was there somebody up there?

The acrobats comprised a cast of men and young women, whose bodies contorted into impossible shapes and positions - upside down, one-handed, balancing on each other’s feet, arms, heads. Rolling over each other, with each other and on top of each other.

In the second half, a tight rope was set up across the ring. An acrobat walked on it, danced, did the splits on it.

One girl firmly wrapped a black tape around her wrist and, with just this, proceeded to gyrate and twist around a hanging rope that moved up and down. A gaggle of ‘schoolgirls’ pranced across the ring. Dozens of costume changes.

A live band of multi-talented musicians accompanied the acts, led by Scottish singer and composer David Murray, He sang and played piano and guitar, along with trumpet, drum and accordion players, and singer Lisa Lavini.

Towards the end, a tree appears in the middle of a small garden. More unexpected things happen that you have to see for yourself.

Finally, the scene grows dark. The men are in evening jackets and top hats, doing a final dance around the edge. Lisa’s voice sings Yada Yada Yada, and the cast moves in a line, in turn from one side to the other, to take their bows.

An interesting chat, at the end, with charismatic Director, Firenza Guidi, revealed that the show, named "NoFit State”, is based in Cardiff. Performers, however, are from eleven different nationalities, living like part of a big family. Getting up together, eating together, as though related which, in a sense, they are, within the show. NoFit State Circus is described as a physical, human and sensory experience.

“We live an itinerant life pitching up behind the Big Top wherever it goes. It’s a hard but great way of life and we get to live for a while at fantastic festivals like Brighton all over Europe,” says Firenza,

"Brighton Festival is one we love to keep coming back to. The Festival audiences embrace our work – and being part of and surrounded by such an extraordinary family of companies and artists is the perfect place to premier our new production and spend the month of May.

This Brighton Festival show continues until Monday May 25th 2026, in the Big Top at Black Rock. Including 3pm Sunday performances. Tickets start at £17.50 and can be bought online, or on the day. Parking is available nearby.