Appointment with the Doktor

Jan 30 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

THE annual freak show that is Circus of Horrors returns to Cardiff – and this time around they’ve taken their inspiration from Moulin Rouge.

After last year’s absence, Doktor Haze and his motley crew return with a completely new show which promises to be even more risque and exciting than previous performances – if that’s at all possible.

And the Doktor has had to bring in a couple of new contortionists to fill in the bendy gap left by brother and sister duo Victor and Emelia Arata, who have been appearing in Big Brother, which ended last night.

This year’s show The Asylum is set in 19th Century France where after fleeing his native home in Transylvania the Doktor buys a Parisian stately house with plans to set up a show to rival the Moulin Rouge.

Unfortunately, he has mistakenly bought the asylum which comes with its own inmates.

He attempts to create his own freak show but it’s only a matter of time before the lunatics take over the asylum.

Doktor Haze, who is creator of Circus of Horrors and ringmaster, got the idea for the show after an internet web search into the life of troubled artist Vincent Van Gogh.

“I looked into Van Gogh and thought it a great idea to buy a stately home lived in by Van Gogh,” said Doktor Haze, who also goes by the name of John but prefers the fictitious title.

“I buy this stately home and realise I have bought a sanatorium where he committed himself.

“I’m not sure if he committed himself to it before or after he cut off half his ear in protest following a row with a friend.”

Needless to say there are some pretty mad acts in the house where inmates swallow swords, stick pins through their face and use eye sockets as bottle-openers.

Others fly through the air on a chain trapeze.

If that’s not enough to make theatre-goers squirm in their seats, Doktor Haze claims the second half is even more bloodthirsty.

It’s also fast-moving and sexy with circus acts from all over the world, including Russia, Germany and Poland, performing rituals of horror.

And that’s what has kept Circus of Horrors selling out shows during its 13-year run throughout Europe and beyond.

Doktor Haze said: “I think generally it’s a good show and appeals to a lot of different people.

“When people first hear about it they think it’s for Goths and punks but every year we come around we have a younger audience. We don’t recommend it for young kids but 16 and upwards is fine.

“We also get stockbrokers and bankers – it’s like a following you would see for the Rocky Horror Show.”

However, some may see this type of horror as warped art to entertain a cult audience.

“We do push the boundaries of horror,” said the Doktor, pictured below.

“We have to because people come, they want to see things they haven’t seen before.

“As far as the audience is concerned it’s a psychological instinct; they want to be scared but don’t want to be harmed.

“People go on ghost trains and watch horror movies.

“It’s something we all have within us and that’s the reason why people come to the Circus of Horrors.”

One thing the company is looking forward to is coming back to Wales because of a few Celtic links.

The Doktor himself used to tour South Wales, including Cardiff, as a youngster in a travelling circus.

Circus of Horrors runs at the New Theatre, Cardiff, from Thursday to Saturday. Tickets range from £8-£22. Friday and Saturday 6pm performances are two for the price of one.

To book call the box office on 029 2087 8889 or online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk