East London’s homegrown, contemporary circus company returned to the capital last week to share their brand new show. Premiering at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, A Glimmer Daze Gambit marks the Revel Pucks’ very first, large-scale touring season which will see them embarking on a 200 day journey across the UK. As we’ve come to expect from this exciting young circus company, it’s a joyful and breath-taking production, filled with everything you could ask for from a circus – including plenty of stuff you’ve probably never seen before!
The show follows clowning duo, Stella and Kit on a mission to follow their dreams and join the circus. They may have never seen a circus before, but they’re well up for giving anything a go in order to earn their coveted red noses. We love a clowning act which incorporates other circus skills, and this becomes even more impressive when performed as a pair. It’s simultaneously silly and slick, featuring some deceptively difficult juggling and a quite frankly ridiculous rola bola routine.
The plucky pair are encouraged along their journey by a supportive circus troupe. A familiar group of homegrown circus performers is joined by an array of international artists who blend beautifully together as a collective. A Glimmer Daze Gambit is noticeably bigger and ever so slightly flashier than their previous productions, but still with the same quirky vibe and passion that typifies the Revel Pucks.
The show itself celebrates community, with every act featuring some sort of teamwork, even those that are ostensibly solo acts. As in their Risk Trilogy of shows (which included The Wing Scuffle Spectacular and The Nose Dive Assembly) the Revel Pucks show us what other circuses try to hide, including the teamwork and trust it takes to keep aerial artists safe. The use of human counterweights is always captivating, especially in a relatively small tent where the audience is extremely close to the rigging.
As ever, there’s a bit of something for everyone, all delivered in the trademark Revel Puck style. Familiar acts for Revel Puck regulars include aerial straps, cloud swing and teeterboard. There’s also a fantastically theatrical cyr wheel double act which is enhanced by some stunning lighting. A particular highlight has to be the spectacular Nigus circus troupe that incorporates teeter board and foot juggling (of humans!) into the more traditional group acrobatics that you might expect of this sort of ensemble. It’s also fantastic to see the Revel Pucks back with another giant teamwork balancing act, which absolutely embodies the themes of teamwork, trust and community at the absolute heart of the work.
The sense of community is heightened by some entertaining audience participation, both before the show begins and during the action itself. (Avoid the front row if you don’t want to inadvertently find yourself in the ring!) The non-verbal nature of the production makes it inclusive and accessible, and all performances are semi-relaxed performances, with ear defenders available to use if necessary.
Overall, A Glimmer Daze Gambit is another excellent show from the Revel Pucks, that infuses stunning contemporary circus with a compelling narrative to create a full-package production. It’s brilliant to see the evolution of this wonderful homegrown circus company and we’d compel you to join them on their journey.
A Glimmer Daze Gambit played at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 2 April to 12 April 2026 as part of a wider tour. We received complimentary press tickets to the matinee performance on 10 April.