In its 41st year, Circus Oz delivers another fun new show, in which words are few and amazing physical feats abound. Under a not-so-big top, on a classic circus-in-the-round stage, 70 minutes of high-energy, non-stop entertainment unfolds, from various aerial wonders to a mesmerising hula-hoop act.

Josie Wardrope and Sam Aldham. Photograph © Mark Turner

Before the opening night performance of Aurora began, most of the seven-strong ensemble appeared in costumes that suggested penguins: black-and-white lycra and bright orange socks. It was their funny waddling and stiff flipper-like arm movements that sold the conceit, however, as they clowned around lobbing transparent plastic bouncy balls at the audience. Having set the mood, they started the show in earnest, revealing they are not only clowns but also strong, finely tuned flying trapeze artists.

As this act’s substantial equipment was cleared away in the shadows, Tara Silcock appeared in the spotlight. Wearing a pared down polar-bear costume, she sang the first of her handful of simple, melodic songs in a show that was otherwise wordless. Her character, along with the penguins, occasional props such as mops, and some rudimentary animated projections on the stage, including shattering...