Come one, come all to spectacular new musical Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror. Under the twinkling stars of the big top, sensational circus, powerful magic and electrifying music combine to tell a poignant story of courage, resistance and love.
It’s 1933 Brandenburg and 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’.
As Hitler’s dictatorship strengthens and oppression grows, the daring humanity and courage of this circus troupe stay hidden beneath the painted-on glamour of Waldo’s big top. Love, loyalty and risk-taking balance on the tightwire as the world outside becomes darker and more dangerous.
This spectacular new circus theatre musical is informed by historical research and the experiences of real performers. It is written by Hattie Naylor (Ivan and the Dogs, The Night Watch) and Jamie Beddard (Messiah, The Elephant Man) with an original score by Charles Hazlewood (Paraorchestra).
Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror is a large-scale collaboration between D/deaf, disabled, and non-disabled artists and creators and tours nationally in 2023.
All performances are chilled, BSL interpreted, captioned and audio described.
Presented by Extraordinary Bodies. Co-produced with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Extraordinary Bodies is a collaboration between Diverse City and Cirque Bijou.
Written by Hattie Naylor & Jamie Beddard
Based on an original idea by Hattie Naylor
Music by Charles Hazlewood
Important information
Running time:
2hrs 25 mins (inc. interval)
Age guideline:
12+ (Subject matter focuses on the Holocaust. Minor swearing)
All performances are chilled, BSL interpreted, captioned and audio described.
Topics covered in Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror may be distressing for some audiences:This performance includes scenes that feature death and characters in distress.
Topics include themes about the Holocaust, discrimination against D/deaf, disabled, Jewish, Roma and gay people and hate crime. Nazi symbols will be present during some of the performance. Themes of love, courage, human resourcefulness and resistance also feature.
Before you attend the show please make those in your care aware of the challenging themes.
To view the Visual Story for this production, please click here.
To listen to an Audio Described version of the show description, please click here.
To view the BSL Flyer for this show, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
