What's The Bottom Line with The Stage Production of The Circus of Horrors?

The Circus of Horrors: The Night of the Zombies

Venue: Civic Hall in Bedworth
Date: 11th March 2015

Introduction

Welcome to That's The Bottom Line and this blog is proud to introduce The Circus of Horrors! Now, what is the Circus of Horrors? Well, the show got into the finals of Britain's Got Talent & now is a West End smash hit! The last few of years has seen the profile of The Circus of Horrors jump tremendously after rampaging into the finals of Britain's Got Talent & to this date it is still the only circus ever to reach the finals. Last year saw another giant leap for the show when it began a series of dates in London’s West End, becoming the first circus to appear in a West End Theatre for 100 years. This latest series from The Circus of Horrors called 'The Night of the Zombie' is set in 2020. A decrepit corpse ridden London, plagued by Zombies, a city ruled by the undead and climaxing in an awesome flaming apocalypse. So, let's start with the first expectations!

 

First Expectations

Considering I did lots of circus research at university, mainly you're character clowns and freakshows, this isn't one I researched into. My first expectations was that it will be serious, horrifying and gruesome because it's the Circus of Horrors. But, as the show started I knew I was all wrong....True, you had you're sword swallowers, knife throwers, daredevil balancing acts, astounding aerial performers and acrobats, a demon dwarf, a Guinness World Record holding ‘hairculian’ hair hanging beauty, Sinister Sisters, gyrating & fire limboing acrobats. However, their was a sense of comedy in the show that truly brought some unusual balances to the show. From comedy to hypnotic performances it truly gave a wow factor and a visual performance to remember with the air of rock 'n' roll.

What Was In The Show?

Apart from what I mentioned before, there were characters which you saw before the show which I found interesting because already you're part of the circus. To me, a circus is never set it could be in the streets, on the roads even at you're houses. It truly brought the wonder before the show actually began. You had a fantastic ring master called Dr. Haze and The Interceptors from Hell which truly made you feel you are watching THE Circus of Horrors. The energy from both Dr. Haze and The Interceptors from Hell were truly ones to watch and be entertained by. To sum up, they both had the very essence of sexual desires and rock 'n' roll with a bit of madness and sanity thrown in their. Comedy wise, you had Camp Dracula yes the pun was intended and the demonic dwarf. Just picture that, Dracula (being camp) and a demonic dwarf.....What's funny their? Well, if you didn't get a chuckle something is up already! If Camp Dracula and the Demonic Dwarf was not in the show, the show would be lacking that humanity that we can all relate to which is comedy! There were voodoo warriors doing acrobatics and tribal dancing which was interesting giving the Circus of Horrors quite a range of skills and then glowing skeletons and tricks and twists to keep the audience entertained. 

What Did The Circus of Horrors Do Differently Then Other Circuses?

From a visual perspective, the look and the characters that you expect you get at some circuses. But, what this circus did more of was the comedy value at an adult level but teens would find funny too and having the correct themes. Now, what I mean by themes is that they did rock 'n' roll, the night of the zombie theme and mixed together a nice range of circus skills to create something their own. Plus, I felt they captured bits of everything that you could/might of seen into one performances. The songs, at least two of them everyone should know. The ringmaster, I've seen 'The Greatest Show Ever!" and I have to say that Dr. Haze is a true ringmaster, keeps the audience entertained and pumped up to high level, so what he feels you feel.

What Were The Costumes Like?

Looking at the programme now, it doesn't come close what you expect. The colours are spot on you have your rocky, punky dark soul look. The reds and blacks with that vintage and burlesque look which suited the entire show. I feel the costumes helped the actors become who they are, because you could tell they are characters, but then when the show ended they were still being those characters. So, circus 'folk' as you could say stay in character until they are behind close doors. Personally, the look of every character there was a purpose behind that creation...for example, Dr. Haze has a funky groovy hat because that's his personality, he's loud, he's electric, he's powerful and absurd. The look of everyone had a somewhat hypnotic effect to draw you in and that air of realism. 

Could There Be Improvements?

I know what you see is what you get, but not in this case. I know looking at other pictures they had more acts. However, my only critism for the actual show is one of the female characters just continuously moved her hips left to right and had knives thrown at her. But, then again not everyone can be centre stage. I noticed, when someone was interrupting part of the act, she told him to be quiet her characters way. What I mean, very sexually and slowly put her finger to her lip and "shush" him which he did. A circus is like route 66, open road with turns and shakes where ever you look, but distracting that one person could ruin everything. I love the human interaction they did with one of the members of the audience, however at the end their was a puppet reference that most YouTube watches would know. And, it was a pity that we didn't see more puppetry because puppets is a form of 'magic' because no one really knows how puppets move their mouths and speak.....Well, back in the black magic era. Now, we know it's the ventriloquist/puppeteer. But, I would of loved to see a demonic puppeteer, maybe a demonic clown or zombie clown. But, The Circus of Horrors shown us one thing; you don't need to wear white make up to show some comedy. However, besides the show the 'theatre' (The Civic Hall) needs to sort some changes. From, stopping flash photography, don't advice a 'tea party' at a horror show and personally better sound system because the music blasted in parts then went quiet. Besides the theatre needed a update, the Circus itself was awe inspiring, visually stunning and just simply amazing. 

So, What's The Bottom Line?

If you love Repo: The Genetic Opera, Rocky Horror Picture Show or just want to see something different I would highly recommend this to anyone that's into the dark and unusual. Bottom line? I didn't see them on Britain's Got Talent but I wish I did, they are truly one to watch.....So? Watch it! 

If you want to see The Circus of Horrors or find out anything else about the show click on there link here

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