Showdown – Upswing / The Albany, London

In Showdown, Upswing turns the TV talent-show format on its head, mixing circus spectacle with sharp reflections on ambition, risk, and control.

Showdown

This is it: the final of the competition to decide the new face of circus arts. Six contenders remain, battling it out in a series of challenges to determine the champion. Sound familiar? The high-stakes, pressure-cooker format is beloved by TV executives. But circus as the arena? That feels refreshingly different. Then again, if we’ve watched people bake, paint, or make ceramics under pressure, perhaps circus – where danger is part of the thrill – is the perfect next step.

Showdown, by contemporary circus company Upswing, uses the familiar TV talent-show format to both showcase real skill and explore ideas of ambition and power. It’s a clever structure that lets audiences choose their level of engagement. You can sit back and enjoy an hour of impressive feats, or think more deeply about the questions it raises. At the Albany in Deptford, it seemed the audience managed both.

Written by stand-up comedian Athena Kugblenu and directed by Upswing’s Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume (also Creative Director at the Albany), Showdown blends comedy, commentary, and circus spectacle. Rhys Hollis plays the MC for the evening – or is that Ringmaster? Presenter? Whatever the title, he’s the link between the mysterious “circus authorities,” the contestants, and the audience. Hollis uses warmth, charisma, and plenty of flirtatious charm to keep the show cohesive and lively.*

*A note for families: there are some very clever innuendos, but they’ll fly over younger viewers’ heads.

A New Face of Circus?

The contestants are played by Jaide Annalise, Rebecca Solomon, Shane Hampden, Loris Di Via, Kussyl Amara, and Gracie Hill. Each brings a distinctive presence, along with serious technical skill. I’m always impressed by people who master a craft at a professional level, but circus adds another dimension: risk. Watching Jaide Annalise on the Cyr wheel, for instance, is mesmerizing. She creates a reflective mood while controlling a fast-spinning apparatus that demands split-second balance and coordination.

Acrobats Shane Hampden, Loris Di Via, and Kussyl Amara soar through the air via teeterboard, maintaining their characters and advancing the show’s story even while executing jaw-dropping moves. Meanwhile, aerialists Rebecca Solomon and Gracie Hill create sculptural shapes mid-air, their grace belying the sheer physical effort required. I loved that the show’s format invited real-time audience reactions – cheering, clapping, gasping at the risks taken and skills displayed.

And in the end – do we crown a winner? Is a new face of circus chosen? Or is there another way forward? That’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself. After its Albany run, Showdown is now touring the UK through 24 July. Originally commissioned by Berlin’s Chamäleon Theater, it’s exciting that British audiences now have the chance to experience it.

In blending circus and theatre, Upswing are onto something. The storytelling adds depth beyond a simple skills showcase. At times, with Hollis carrying most of the dialogue, I felt the bigger ideas had less space to develop. But judging by the sold-out audience’s enthusiastic response, no one left disappointed. I hope to see more from this company in future – both their artistry and their thought-provoking narratives.

Salterton Arts Review rating: 3.5/5

Showdown ran at the Albany, Deptford, from 1–3 May 2025. It tours the UK until 24 July 2025. More info here.