circus act

plural circus acts

1. A performance typical of a circus, such as tightrope walking or fire eating.
2. figurativelyAnything absurd or convoluted; a rigmarole.

   “What kind of circus act is this, Adams?” the Mayor shouted.

   2007, C. R. Truitt, Messengers from the West Mountain, page 238

   1 more example

   It's like those women who go to gay bars on a hen night because for them, we're a bloody circus act and it's a story to tell on their wedding day […]

   2011, Timothy Brown, Civil Partnership, page 172

   Synonyms: carry-on, riddle me ree, carry-on, palaver, riddle me ree, rigmarole, song and dance