This circus not for kids
Paranormal Cirque puts zombie acrobats, skating vampires and more into its horror storyline
Performers prepare a soft landing for a high-flying acrobat. Due to the show’s content, no one under 13is permitted, and those under 18must be accompanied by an adult.
A narrative line about ghost hunting knits together the various acts, including cabaret-style dancers.
The circus is coming to town, but the shenanigans happening under this big top aren’t the typical clown, juggler and trapeze acts.
The traveling Paranormal Cirque centers on a horror story that mixes macabre theater with cabaret-style performances, monstrous creatures, ominous music, acrobatic zombies — and a little comedy, too.
“This is a R-rated horror circus,” said Steve Copeland, one of the approximately 20 performers who make up Paranormal Cirque. “There are traditional circus acts, but everything has a horror theme.”
Paranormal Cirque is in Woodland Hills through Aug. 7, then heads to Redondo Beach from Aug. 11-14 and Thousand Oaks from Aug. 18-21.
For this circus, you’ll have to leave the young ones at home because no one under 13 is permitted, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Housed in a 1,200-person tent, the circus begins as a walk-through haunt. Guests are ushered into a waiting area for a spooky preshow, where they’ll be surrounded by the performers for some jump scares before taking their seats.
“It’s a haunt experience on top of a two-hour live entertainment extravaganza,” Copeland said.
Copeland and his co-host, Ryan
When: Various times through Aug. 7
Where: 5500 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills
Tickets: $20-$60 at paranormalcirque. com
Also: Various times Aug. 11-14 at the South Bay Galleria, 1815Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach; various times Aug. 18-21 at Oaks Mall, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $20-$60 at paranormalcirque.com.
Combs, assume the roles of a pair of YouTube ghost hunters who get caught up in the circus.
“We’re in this world of vampires and ghosts and zombies and the occult,” he said of the storyline.
As the pair wander through the circus tent, which is decked out like a haunted castle, they encounter all sorts of creatures that are as talented as they are scary.
“You’ll see zombies walking on a tightrope, a possessed girl who flies over the stage by her hair and a serial killer who happens to be an amazing juggler,” he said.
Cabaret dancers and a pair of acrobatic vampires on roller skates will also be roaming the castle.
“That’s not something you see every day, and they also do a very sensual and jaw-dropping hand-to-hand acrobatic number,” Copeland said.