In SPYHARD, spy comedy meets circus; you're in for 50 minutes of incredible stunts set within a familiar enemies-to-lovers plot line. Featuring all the iconic tropes of your favourite spy comedies, SPYHARD brings nostalgia and humour as well as circus talent. There’s the cold but seductive Russian and the besotted British oaf. Picture dramatic fight scenes, helicopter drops and rooms of lasers, but on a FRINGE WORLD budget, to hilarious effect. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to witness the full effect of what Circus Sorbet’s SPYHARD can produce. Fay MacFarlane, who plays Faytasha Romanov, is sadly injured. Three other circus talents have stepped up to fill her place, alongside the other half of Circus Sorbet, Anthony Tran. They put on an honourable performance and each shone in their solo circus acts. However, they lacked confidence in the joint choreography and narrative elements. Understandable, given the fill-ins had only a week to practice. 

SPYHARD offers a great concept, impressive moments and boundless potential. While the troupe of Faytashas put on a great performance, the show lacks MacFarlane and Trans’s chemistry and experience, which would allow it to really shine.