Circus of Horrors at the Buxton Opera House Review
Circus of Horrors
Buxton Opera House
22 February 2016
Reviewed by Charlotte Davies
Last night we attended Buxton Opera House, I haven’t been to this theatre for years but knew roughly where the theatre was. Approaching the Opera House this was well sign posted and there was ample car parking space which was only a short walk from the theatre entrance.
We were welcomed by a lovely gentleman usher and pointed us in the right direction of the ticket booth whereby the staff there were very helpful and we were then escorted straight to our seats. When looking around, the atmosphere and clientele of the audience was such a mixed bag. Some older people, then a great deal of Gothic looking people. Surprised to see such a diverse array of people.
The theatre itself was clean and tidy and staff were very welcoming.
The show started promptly at 7.30pm. We weren’t really sure what to expect only when reading on the shows poster that it was a show of circus tricks with a difference. So we were thinking sword swallowing and fire eating.
The show commenced with what can only be described as a scary version of a circus ring leader. He started singing, which was quite impressive but quite loud due to a live backing band, which were really good. A lady then came onto the stage dressed in very little (a Basque and fishnet stockings) to carry on the singing. The duet were both very good, but as the venue was quite small I did think the microphones needed switching down so that the singing sounded of better quality.
So numerous acts came on, a very strange man who enjoyed swallowing swords and magic acts. Then there was a “Demon Dwarf” he came on dressed in a caveman outfit with a bowling ball on a chain. Everyone in the audience was wandering what he was going to do as his act then in a flash the bowling ball was attached to his penis and he was swinging it about!!
There was a short interval after an hour and the second half of the show felt dragged out. Yes there were again some excellent acts of swinging around from the ceiling attached by a ladies hair with fireworks attached to her and acrobats. But the Demon Dwarf came on many more times with his penis out!! The show itself I really enjoyed as you never knew what was coming next even with clowns crawling on all seats from behind the audience (which made me jump into next week) but I really do think the dwarf needed to put his pants on as it did become annoying that he was just showing off his genitals unnecessarily throughout the show.
The little man I really don’t think would be missed if he wasn’t part of the show.
Although the cast was only small they used them to the max. The cast members sold the merchandise in the interval and what I did like was at the end of the show the cast members were all in the foyer having pictures with the members of the audience which I felt was a nice touch showing their appreciation thanking the audience for coming to the show.
My overall rating I would say was a 4 out of 5. I think if they shortened the second half or got rid of the Demon Dwarf this would be a better show and be a 5/5!
I would recommend this show but only to people that aren’t squeamish or have a nervous disposition!!
Rating: 4/5
The Circus of Horrors is currently touring the UK, for more information or to book tickets at a venue near you visit www.circusofhorrors.co.uk.
For other shows at the Buxton Opera House visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.
Buxton Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN | 0845 127 2190
