Every January, Cirque du Soleil takes up residence at London’s impressive Royal Albert Hall. I went along last night to see their latest offering, Totem, which returns to London after a successful run last year.

Loosely based on the origins of man, Totem brings together a variety of amazing circus acts, from a scientist who juggles fluorescent balls inside a giant test tube to a cast of realistic apes.

My favourite acts were the unicycle riders, who kicked dishes from their feet onto their heads; and a troupe of acrobats who performed breathtaking somersaults above Russian bars.

I also loved the modern-day clown, who played a sleazy Italian tourist; and the incredible special effects, which included a “sea” projected onto the stage, from which characters appeared to emerge.

Each act is accompanied by a different style of music from around the world. There’s no speech, which makes Totem ideal for deaf people and non-English speakers.

Totem is at the Royal Albert Hall until 16 February 2012

I went to see Cirque Du Soleil’s Totem at the Royal Albert Hall this week and I was blown away by how good it was. Totem tells the story of the journey of the human species from amphibian to the aspiration to fly.

The set was amazing, along with the incredible acts and characters that filled the Royal Albert Hall with colour and left us in awe of what was taking place in front of us.

The first act, a parallel bars routine, was brilliant and breathtaking as four artists performed just inches away from each other.

More exciting acts followed, including five unicyclists juggling metal bowls at some height, the foot juggling Crystal Ladies and the “swimming” trapeze duo, who had a beautiful routine.

The highlights had to be the pair of roller skaters spinning and whirling at unbelievable speeds on top of a tiny drum-shaped platform, and the amazing Russian bars display with 10 artists leaping from one bar to another.

It’s a great show, and again the Royal Albert Hall does it complete justice.  A must-see!