Psycho circus Horror-themed big top show set to scare By: Thandi Vera Posted: 5:36 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 5, 2024

The usually quiet, unassuming parking lot of St. Vital Centre has been transformed into a world of horror and wonder as Paranormal Cirque makes its Canadian debut.

Presented by Cirque Italia, this innovative show blends theatre, circus and cabaret into an experience designed for mature audiences.

“Paranormal Cirque is everything you kind of normally think of when you think of a circus with the acrobats and the crates, but it’s with this scary, spooky, horror Halloween-themed twist,” says Ben Holland, the general manager of the show.

Cirque Italia, founded in 2012, is known for its European-style, animal-free performances that combine vivid storytelling with dramatic circus arts.

Paranormal Cirque is one of four themed shows the company puts on; it’s the newest one and this tour is the first chance Canadian audiences will get to see it.

“It’s very exciting to get to bring it to a new audience and a whole group of people that haven’t gotten the chance to experience it before,” says Holland, who has been a member of Cirque Italia for five years.

Holland’s own journey to the circus world began with an unconventional twist — he’s not only the manager; he’s the circus’s resident contortionist.

Fresh out of high school without a job, he discovered that his rare ability to dislocate his bones could be his ticket to an unusual career.

When a circus visited his town, he approached the manager and asked for a job without revealing his special skills.

Surprisingly, he was hired on the spot.

This opportunity marked the beginning of his career in circuses, travelling across the United States performing acrobatic feats.

Paranormal Cirque features a wide array of performances, including the Wheel of Death, mystifying magic acts, motorcycles on wires, and other circus arts performed by a cast of international artists.

The distinctive horror-themed performances set Paranormal Cirque apart from traditional circus shows. The performances are held under a striking black and white tent, creating an immersive atmosphere designed to enhance the experience.

Audiences can expect to see acrobats dressed as zombies, illusionists performing spine-chilling tricks, a woman who hangs from her hair in the air, and other spooky surprises designed to keep people on the edge of their seats.

“I think that this is something that’s really happening right in front of your face, metres away from you, it’s real — incredible things are really, really happening,” Holland says. “It’s something that brings the community together to actually go out and be able to sit next to your neighbours and see something like that together.”

Whether you’re a fan of horror, circus arts or simply looking for something new and exciting to experience, Holland says this show promises a night that will haunt your memories — in a good way.

“People are ready to jump out and try and scare you. It’s kind of a circus for people that want it to be Halloween all year round. They love their horror movies in the middle of July. This is the kind of circus for that,” he says.

Paranormal Cirque runs to July 14, and its schedule includes evening performances on weekdays and multiple shows on weekends. The show is restricted to ages 13 and up, with attendees under 18 requiring an accompanying parent or guardian.

Tickets range from $35 to $80 at paranormalcirque.com.

thandi.vera@freepress.mb.ca

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