Circus Of Horrors

Anyone expecting Jim Rose-style stomach-churning carny acts would have been unimpressed by the Spinal Tap meets sub-Rocky Horror show on display tonight. While most of the acts were impressively executed the whole fire-eating/sword swallowing/knife-throwing shtick was simply old school variety and the MC’s gags were even older. That said, there was fine rope work from The Sinister Sisters and some wince-inducing hair hanging spins from Anastasia, plus contortionism and some impressive acrobats, but the show as a whole lacked any threat or shocks. They’ve been doing this successfully for 18 years but it felt like a revamp may be due.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 4 Febuary 2013
Rating:
Steve Clements