The 7 Fingers

The Québécois circus troupe 7 Fingers share a Canadian hometown, and a livelihood, with Cirque de Soleil - but the two circus troupes vary enormously.

Where the Soleil gang are the biggest name and the loudest voice on the circus scene, Les 7 doigts de la main keep things subtle and simple. Weaving in acrobatics, ballet and street-dance, this is movement with wit and style as well as supreme balance.

Returning to London for a triple bill of dance and circus performances at the world famous Sadler's Wells, 7 Fingers promise new choreography from word class, cutting-edge contemporary choreographers Marie Chouinard, Victor Quijada and Marcos Morau.

This weekend, families can expect the first piece - a duet directed by Chouinard - to employ gravity and its effects to inform the movement of the body. Next, Quijada presents a 30-minute hand-balancing quintet, and the final piece by Morau places a definite emphasis on circus, as eight artists free themselves of both internal and physical obstacles.

The hugely popular and successful 7 Fingers (who last year came to the Peacock Theatre) regularly garner such reviews as: "Mad pulse-raising magic," from The New York Times and "un phénomène" from Le Monde, this show is the one unmissable event for families this weekend.