Tucked away beyond the King Alfred on Hove lawns is the Silvertent (anyone who is anyone cannot be seen performing in a regular tent). This spaceship-like construction is home to NoFit State, a contemporary circus troupe hailing originally from Wales but comprising performers from Argentina as well as Aberytswyth. Their festival offering is 'tabu', which apparently asks the question, "why is it that humans choose the dark side? Or is it the dark side that chooses us?".

Hmmm...thankfully the answer seems pretty academic unless the dark side has the power to influence one's acrobatic ability, in which case NoFit State have succumbed readily. But first back to the tent; the first thing that strikes you upon entering is the absence of seats. There are stages on opposite sides of the room, random bitsof metal hang from the ceiling, a band warm up on a further stage in the corner and the audience gather awkwardly in the centre, unsure of which way to look. Yes, this is a promenade show, where you literally follow the action, and the sensation of where to look barely leaves you for the entire show as various numbers kick off around and above you, sometimes by people who were standing next to you a second earlier.  Its a genuine buzz being so close to the action, as wires, cables and pulleys are assembled before your eyes before it hauls somebody skyward. Also the fact that you don't know where the next act will appear from adds a subversive element - its as if the troupe delight in surprising you, drawing your eyes in one direction to look at a sensual trapeze performance while a fire-eater stips off behind you (ahem).

Accompanied by a live house band, the show also uses rows of video screens to entertain and also slightly disorientate it's audience along with inventive choreography that utilises stuffed toys and jellyfish-style umbrellas amongst other things. I could employ a lazy comparison with Cirque de Soleil - unruly younger sibling maybe, but the truth is that NoFit State deserve to stand tall on their own. Dodgy philosophical teasers aside, if you've never seen someone tightrope in high heels while eating a bowl of pasta, then this is the show for you.

Shows run until May 10th. More information at www.nofitstate.org or call 08448 480910.