Showdown

SIX ACROBATS. ONE WINNER. WHO WILL BE THE “NEW FACE OF CIRCUS”?

Get ready for Showdown! This high-energy spectacle combines jaw-dropping circus stunts with razor-sharp humour in a one-of-a-kind competition where the audience decides the winner.

Six fearless contestants push their limits in a no-holds-barred race to the top, all for the promise of a single prize. Showdown playfully unpacks our obsession with winning, asking: What’s wort hsacrificing to come out on top? With each round, we dive deeper into the contestants’ drive to succeed, while chaos and surprises keep everyone on their toes.

Packed with audience interaction, clever comedy, and a bold mix of circus, spoken word, UK Hip Hop, Grime, and Afrobeat, Showdown explores the idea of “healthy competition”. Who will you root for to win? Brought to life by an exceptional team—including Upswing’s Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume, rising comedy star Athena Kugblenu, and London-based musician Afrikan Boy—this show is a thrilling mash-up of heart, hilarity, and high-flying talent. Don’t miss it!

“Upswing demonstrates the real possibilities that emerge when circus, dance and theatre meet and meld.” (Lyn Gardner)