Every moment is rigidly choreographed to within an inch of its life, meaning that – ironically – the undoubtedly very impressive acts look rather too safe, and certainly over-produced. What’s needed is a bit of danger, even a stumble or two. In fact, what’s needed is a bit of circus. The carefully choreographed sequences and glossy video screens seem somewhat out of place, and give the impression that we’re actually watching a mid-90’s Alice Cooper video.
In theory, we’re watching a vaudeville act in Berlin in the twenties, full of decadence and filth, and as such the Circus have pulled together all the best acts from the past eighteen years, and there’s a lot to enjoy from a sexually deviant dwarf to performers limbo dancing under flaming poles. There’s a great group dynamic at work here, and it’s not always the seemingly most dangerous acts that hold the audience’s attention: one of the most impressive sequences is simply a balancing act.
The venue – in this case, Brighton’s Theatre Royal – doesn’t do the gang any favours. We need a bit of spit and sawdust, to be surrounded by canvas rather than health and safety regulations. This show would benefit greatly if performed in an environment where you were not entirely convinced you’d get out alive. Then again, they perform in Worthing in a few weeks’ time, so maybe they’ve got that covered. We are warned that the show is not for the faint of heart or for children, but after shows like La Soirée or La Clique at The Famous Spiegltent, Circus of Horrors is probably going to be consumed most greedily by the fifteen year olds in your life who have already cheerfully cultivated a few unhealthy obsessions.
The Circus is now 18 years old, which means that it’s pretty much legal for anything. Time then, to be less over-produced and regain some of its sharp jagged edges.
Performed on Monday 4 February 2013 at Theatre Royal in Brighton.