An upcoming circus will feature a menagerie of mysterious creatures, twisted abominations and horrifying beasts — but no animals.
This circus is definitely not for children. The large tent may look like a child’s dream, but inside is a nightmare full of vampires, specters, zombies, fey, abominations and clowns. Billed as a macabre amalgamation of theater, circus and cabaret, “Paranormal Cirque” promises to deliver wicked, dangerous thrills, pairing a European-style circus with a horror theme.
With such scary visions depicted in movies and TV shows regularly, it’s a wonder there aren’t more of them, said Benjamin Holland, general manager of the production.
“It’s something you see everywhere, and it’s so natural, so why hasn’t this been a thing forever?” Holland said. “There is a niche in the market for people who love scary movies and want to appreciate acrobatic talent. We’ve made that connection and done very well.”
Presented by Cirque Italia, “Paranormal Cirque” features a horror story with many deviant directions and talented performers. It includes traditional circus feats and displays, such as a “Wheel of Death,” a motorcycle trapeze, aerial dancers, contortionists and clowns.
The scares start before the show. Attendees must navigate a haunted maze to get to their seats.
The production is so successful that Cirque Italia manages three traveling groups across the country at a time. Springfield will get the prime group running from Thursday to Sunday, July 20-23 at Battlefield Mall. Tickets range from $15 to $60.
It carries a restricted warning. Because the show has adult language and material, children younger than 13 will not be allowed, and children 13-17 years old require accompaniment of a parent or guardian ages 21 or older.
Plethora of performers
“Paranoral Cirque” is filled with a variety of interesting performers with impressively odd and bizarre skills. Argentina Portugal, for instance, is a woman who dances in the air while suspended by her hair. Ismael Vargas maneuvers a motorcycle across a suspended wire in heart-stopping fashion.
That’s two of more than 20 displays of talent and ability, Holland said.
“We’re presenting a collection of things we hope people haven’t seen before,” Holland said. “They have been training their entire lives to be the best at specific things you don’t see anywhere else. That results in one amazing show.”
The production is a new direction for Cirque Italia. It started in 2012 with “Aquatic Spectacular,” a touring show that pairs performances with water fountains. It also runs “Nitro Extreme,” a production that features stunts with motorized vehicles.
Developed in 2018, “Paranormal Cirque” caught on with audiences who enjoyed the mix of horror imagery with performers who could do inhuman things with their bodies.
The production relies on a constantly rotating line-up of performers — so many that the show finds itself always changing, Holland said.
“We were in Springfield two or three years ago, but it won’t be the same show,” Holland said. “We have to keep changing and adapting. If the show doesn’t change, what’s the point?”
No animals anywhere
The use of animals in circus shows has become more controversial in recent years, as animal rights groups have cast light on how circus animals are treated, from basic living conditions to cruel training practices.
Cirque Italia focuses its shows on human performers to the point it eschews using any animals in its productions. Holland said the philosophy has paid off significantly, because it has helped draw more performers into its circle.
The result is an incredible, intimate show that happens in front of people’s faces, not on a screen.
“Because so many movies or TV shows are out there, people don’t get to experience a lot of live productions anymore,” Holland said. “A lot of people miss out on quality live entertainment, but it doesn’t get better than experiencing something amazing with your friends.”
