Circa: Beyond - South Bank

As the name suggests, this isn’t a normal circus show. Forget trapeze artists and jugglers, and think more Alice In Wonderland meets your worst Dali-esque nightmares (see above), with an animalistic spin that encourages you to embrace the beast within. This is contemporary circus that melds sounds and performance with acrobatic feats par excellence to transpose you to another realm altogether. 

£15.50+. Jun 3-23, times and dates vary 
London Wonderground, SE1 8XX  
Tube | Waterloo  
londonwonderground.co.uk

Flown - South Bank

As you’d no doubt imagine from a show with this title, Flown is all about performance that’s up in the air. Circus troupe Pirates Of The Carabina lead you on this absorbing night which they say is largely unplanned. The dancers, stuntmen, acrobats, aerialists and musicians set out to wow in a show originally commissioned for the Glastonbury Festival. Expect flying ironing boards and more. Bold.

£15.50+, June 2-22, times vary 
Udderbelly, SE1 8XX  
Tube | Waterloo  
underbelly.co.uk

Tumble Circus: This is what we do for a living - South Bank

Sure to make you feel like you lead the most tedious and adventure-lacking existence by comparison, the two carnies behind this show have travelled the world with their circus comedy, high-wire traversing, gravity-taunting lunacy. This awe-inspiring show will feature flying hula hoops, slapstick acrobatics, aerial rope work and daring double trapeze, too.  

£15.50+, Aug 6-9, 9.15pm SE1 8XX  
Tube | Waterloo  
londonwonderground.co.uk

Belle Epoque Circus Party - Holborn

The folks behind the Prohibition Party and the Blitz Party bring the shady circus underworld of 19th-century Paris to Bloomsbury Ballroom, with acrobatics and dancefloor-filling tunes ‘til late.  

£20, June 15, 8pm 
Bloomsbury Square, WC1B 4DA  
Tube |  Holborn  
belleepoqueparty.com

Inverted + bikes and rabbits - North london

Get twice the thrills at this circus double bill, featuring emerging circus company Inverted’s acrobatics and contemporary aerial bicycle performances from the intriguingly named Bikes & Rabbits. 

£10, Jun 14, 8pm 
269a Archway Road, N6 5AA  
Tube | Highgate  
jacksonslane.org.uk

The Double R Club - South Bank

One of the capital’s edgiest shows, the back-to-back London Cabaret Awards winner for Best On-going Production takes cues from master of the surreal David Lynch for sketches and performances that push the boundaries of your sanity. Host is the “so fuckin’ suave” Benjamin Louche.

£17.50, Jul 12, 10.45pm & Aug 2, 9.15pm 
London Wonderground, SE1 8XX  
Tube | Waterloo  
londonwonderground.co.uk