The Circus Louis Knie Jr is Austria’s biggest, probably oldest and definitely most famous circus. It’s currently in Vienna.

I have to be honest: I probably wouldn’t have seen this show, if B. hadn’t got free tickets. I like circusses (circi?) but I expected the Knie circus to be pretty lousy – it just isn’t big enough to pay really good artists – and I’m always weary of animal shows.

I was actually surprised. It took me about 10 minutes to realise that my snark was unnecessary, but then I could turn it off. I mean, yeah, the clowns were pretty much horrible, but they’re clowns so there’s nothing else you actually can expect. And compared to Cirque du Soleil, it can’t keep up. But it’s an enjoyable show, altogether.

It all starts off with a Clown piece that was either really bad or a postmodern masterpiece. I still haven’t quite decided yet. [That piece is also the reason it took me so long to realise that my snark wasn’t needed.] It involved geese, bad dressage, bunnies, bad magic, and one good punchline.

They had trained donkeys, horses and camels (and a little zoo) and at one point during the show they point out that they got an A in animal keeping, which I found kind of cute. The shows, nevertheless, were pretty much the same – the donkeys ran in a circle, then changed direction. As did the camels. As did the horses.

The acrobats were mostly fine (only the woman on the trapeze seemed a little old to do the job. I mean, she was fine, as long as she was hanging from the thing but as soon as she touched the ground she seemed a little disoriented.

They had a fine magician, whose show also had a good punchline and two jugglers who did a great job with two metal cubi. They had an acrobat who apparently pulled in a whole bunch of teenage fan girls (yes, including their screaming) and who did handstands. On a motorcycle. And they had this guy:

The only thing that was as bad as actually expected was the singing. They had one singer, who insisted on belting out mostly Michael Jackson songs, but which all sounded like Celine Dion on a bad day. Which, I guess, is also a talent, but is still horrible.

Summarising: You’re not missing much if you don’t see it, but if you have the time, it will be a pleasant two hours.