WALDO'S CIRCUS OF MAGIC & TERROR (PHOTO PAUL BLAKEMORE)
Set in 1933 Brandenburg, the Nazis are burning books and suspending civil rights. Many are desperate to escape, but for Waldo and his travelling circus of outcasts, acrobats and aerialists, ‘the show must go on’.
The cast includes a bold and diverse company of actors, musicians and aerialists to bring this daring tale of humanity, courage and defiance to the stage in Extraordinary Bodies inimitable style.
The show is brought to the stage by Extraordinary Bodies, a collaboration between Cirque Bijou and Diverse City, who have worked together for the last decade creating multi-disciplinary circus shows with D/deaf, disabled and non-disabled artists.
To give us more background to the story, and how the oppression of people who don't match the right profile was horrendous to live under, Xan Phillips interviewed Lawrence Swaddle, who plays Nazi sympathiser Gerhard.
The Story
WALDOS CIRCUS OF MAGIC AND TERROR PREVIEWS. (PHOTO PAUL BLAKEMORE)
As Hitler’s dictatorship strengthens and oppression grows, this circus troupe’s daring humanity and courage stay hidden beneath their big top. Their way of life balances on the tightwire as the world outside becomes darker and more dangerous.
The story looks behind the painted-on glamour, skilful risk-taking and fierce loyalty with Waldo the Ringmaster controlling the entertainment on and off the circus stage.
WALDOS CIRCUS OF MAGIC AND TERROR PREVIEWS. (PHOTO PAUL BLAKEMORE)
Krista is the star of the show and gets close to Gerhard, an audience member who displays natural circus talents.
Joseph is the owner of a rival circus and a man who is running out of time. Circus clowns Mish and Mosh share the language of BSL on stage, and Darragh performs with his ladders and hats, hoping that will be enough.
Peter the Ring Boy is reviled and bullied by Waldo for reasons that no one understands, while Dora the cleaner longs for her moment in the spotlight.
Aerialist Renée seeks moments of connection in the bars of every city the circus visits, and Queenie is the fortune teller haunted by visions of a doomed future.
Waldo’s Circus premiered at Bristol Old Vic on Saturday 11 March. It is co-produced with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth. All shows are Chilled Performances, BSL interpreted, captioned and audio described.
See the show in Southampton 4 - 6 May 2023
Buy your tickets from MAST Mayflower
Discover more about Extraordinary Bodies
