Photo: Sarah Calleja performing her hair suspension number

It was an incredible night of music and aerial performances.

Actually, there were two, as Theatre Next Door was packed to the brim on two consecutive evenings for the first edition of the show "Ċirku", a mixture of enjoyable music and breath-taking presentations by aerialists which left the audience wanting more.

Photo: Sarah Pullicino on the loops

It was sold-out on both nights, with organisers turning down requests for tickets as simply there were none available, as all seats had been bought well in advance.

The 75-minute show was a combination of live music and routines which included hair suspension, dance trapeze, aerial silks and the use of aerial hoops and loops, and a flying pole too. Together, they made it a show to remember.

Photo: The band James Cummings, Joseph Grech, Kyle Drakard and Patryk Cutajar share a moment with aerialist Sarah Calleja after the show

The musicians - Patryk Cutajar on guitars, Kyle Drakard on drums, James Cummings on the saxophone, and Joseph Grech on the bass guitar - were a well-amalgamated group, their fusion coming across all throughout, and their solo efforts equally mesmerising.

The way the different sounds blended together - the punchy and refined guitars, the rhythm of the drums, the mellowness and versatility of the saxophone - made it a pleasant night, even for people who are not so much accustomed to the genre of music that was played.

Photo: Sarah Pullicino on the trapeze and (below) on the loops

At times, vocalist Eliza Borg Rizzo of Tribali fame joined in to complete the number with her outstanding voice, while Leila Borg offered back-up with her tender accompaniment.

But the musicians and singers were not on their own.

The spectacular part of the show saw the participation of aerialists Sarah Calleja, Sarah Pullicino and Max Vece.

The two Sarahs performed individually and as a duo, fascinating the audience with their audacious pieces, several metres up in the air, with Phantom Stunts serving as the rigging team which made such daring numbers possible.

Their in-synch spins and rotations - one wonders if they get dizzy - were a sight to watch, with the colourful lit-up hoop and bright costumes adding to the spectacle.

Photo: Max Vece (above) performing his silks number and (below) Sarah Calleja on the flying pole

Calleja's hair suspension skills were enthralling, bringing out gasps from the spectators as she was high above literally hanging on with just her hair separating her from the stage below, as she twisted and turned in several shapes and forms.

Pullicino's dance trapeze was riveting too, the equipment normally used by acrobats serving as her only safeguard as she held on with her hands, elbows and back of the knees while performing her contortions.

Photo: Sarah Calleja and Sarah Pullicino on the hoop and (below) Therese Borg and Nicole Galea in their dance duet

Vece's silks number was equally spectacular, a more muscular performance of twirls and swirls as he interlaced with the fabric that functioned as his acrobatic tool.

Completing the show, sponsored by Grand Thornton, were dancers Therese Borg and Nicole Galea, whose act added value to the overall presentation.

Two of the participants were also the organisers of the event - Patryk Cutajar and Sarah Calleja were the brains behind the organisation, bringing together so much talent under one roof and being also among the protagonists of the show.

Photo: Sarah Calleja and Sarah Pullicino on the loops

Photos: Albert Camilleri