The Time Traveller product reviews

It was wet, rainy and muddy. I had my son with me and he was tired and not at all co-operative, but I was there to give him a special treat, and to write a review. So we went in and sat down. We were given some prime seats, so that was great. From the layout, I knew that the little fellow could stand on the seat to get a good view without blocking anyone else's view.

Despite the cold and wet, there was an air of anticipation, despite the news that the show was short one act. Due to a mechanical failure the day before, The Wheel of Death act had been removed while the equipment underwent repairs. But, in true circus spirit, the show went on. This was proved throughout the show whenever an act didn't go quite on track.

So, the lights dimmed and the ether-smoke billowed out and filled the ring... and the story began. I am not going to go into the story or the individual acts, since that would spoil it for anyone wanting to catch the show later, but I will say this... the show included acts from all over the planet, and had settings and backdrops that matched the storyline well.

The acts were of a similar nature to those seen in major-budget stageshows such as Cirque Dreams but at a fraction of the ticket price, making this show great value for your money. I have seen this circus now four seasons in a row, and despite some of the acts being re-used in the next show, the overall show is different each 2-year tour. With the tour currently in New Plymouth for a week, this is your last chance to see The Time Traveller. After this, there will be a 2 week break while they rehearse the new show, Splash, which will premiere in Auckland in late-June.

Overall, a wonderful show to take the kids to, full of entertainment and plenty of audience-interaction. My personal highlight of the show would have to have been the Juggler, who's scene was set in 'The Future' in front of a space-city backdrop. This act was high-energy, up-beat, and despite a few slips, was by far the best act all night. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the very-close-runner-up, the highwire act. Again, despite a slip that could have been rather nasty for one performer, this was an act that demonstrated the true spirit of the circus, "No Matter What, The Show Must Go On."