Little Angel theatre, London
The big top pops up inside a book as puppeteer Lizzie Wort whirls through a jaunty carnival of acts

Roll up, roll up! Abracadabra! There’s barely a trad circus trick missed in this one-woman puppet show, first seen in 2022, with its red and gold trimmings, accordions a-go-go and Tardis-like top hat. That vintage vibe, perfectly suiting the atmospheric Little Angel, includes the performing animals introduced by George the ringmaster (Lizzie Wort, who co-wrote and devised with director Miranda Pitcher).

We behold lions, tigers and monkeys that George says – a little too nostalgically – once did stunts with the show. They have been replaced by jumping fleas and playful mice although this reformed spectacle with pet-friendlier tricks rather queers its pitch by then including bunnies who apparently ride bikes. The big finale is a canine spin on a Savitsky Cats-style routine.