The Circus Is Back In Town — And It's Bigger, Bolder And More Magical Than Before

Having returned from the musical wilderness back in 2006 after an 11-year absence, Take That had proven with Beautiful World that they were still a chart-topping force to be reckoned with. However, the pressure was on for their 2008 release, The Circus, to meet these heightened expectations. The then quartet not only managed this feat but also, the following year, launched their biggest and most ambitious tour to date. Selling 600,000 tickets in just 5 minutes, Take That Present: The Circus Live is still regarded by many as the tour to beat all of their tours. Now 17 years later, albeit minus departed member Jason Orange, Take That have resurrected The Circus for what is being hailed as the live event of the summer.

As Coventry Building Society Arena quickly fills ahead of Belinda Carlisle's opening set, the summer rain pours throughout, which feels quite apt. But the audience are far from deterred in their thrill at making Circles in the Sand. As we all dream the same nostalgic dream as the timeless performer, the sheer thrill of her retro-driven set makes for a perfect start to the evening.

Having opened for nearly half of the original run of The Circus, Danny O'Donoghue and his new line-up for The Script are met with real warmth as they showcase new material and continue the epic sing-along Belinda had started with some of their earlier hits. With a new album and tour coming up, it's clear that The Script frontman knows how to win over an audience with charming chat and a phone call to an audience member's ex-boyfriend during Nothing.

As The Circus members work the audience up with mini performances and balloon distribution, the brief wait between sets passes quickly, and The Circus bursts boldly and beautifully into life. As the opescene unfolds, with the Hot aircolourful hot air balloon being raised, the audience is immediately blown away by the intricacy of the show, which leads toad of the boys magically appearing to sing Greatest Day.

The opening song sets the tone. While the weather may have been disappointing earlier in the day, it remained dry for the entirety of their set, which was a pure feast for eyes and ears but more importantly for the heart and soul. As each song is a real visual feast, it is the joyous journey through their back catalogue that has the audience on tfeet, singing every word joyously word.

As magical memories are made and revisited, the show itself is bigger, bolder and even more ambitious than their first tour. Though there are notable highlights – the inclusion of Do What You Like, the inverse shower on Back For Good and the tightrope walking on The Circus, Take That also struck gold by replacing the awesome Loleatta Holloway with ex-Pop Idol Zoe Birkett to sing Lulu's section of Relight My Fire.

As the show draws to a close with Rule The World, the audience leave in a state of awe and ecstasy as the trio and their extensive cast truly delivered a transport to a world of pure joy.


The Circus Dates:

June 9: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
June 12 & 13: Hampden Park, Glasgow
June 16: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
June 19, 20 & 21: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
June 25, 26 & 27: London Stadium, London
July 1: Etihad Stadium, Manchester