Review: Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror at The Lowry Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] When entering the circus what will we see? A range of diverse and spectacular bodies! Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror, set at the start of the Nazi takeover in early 1930s Germany, this mystical story full of darkness and intrigue is one not to be missed. You will see aerialists and performers that you may never have seen on stage before you will experience unspoken word that is signed and then written for all to see.

This production is fabulous and if you love dark comedy with an edge of thrill plus some unique musical composition keep reading and scroll below on find out how to get tickets for the show at The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays. 

What I thought of Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror

From start to finish, this was such a great performance. Although there are leading roles in this story – especially from Waldo’s troupe members, Abbie Purvis, as Krista, Lawrence Swaddle as Gerhard Krüger and The Circus Director Waldo, played by Garry Robson, it’s a real split as to who stood out on the stage, as, as a whole ensemble and as individual performers, each person involved played their part to the fullest making this a great evening event.

The performance has been designed to be as inclusive as possible and has a signer on stage translating the spoken parts into BSL (British Sign Language) throughout. Equally, there are two screens with written words allowing parts of the audience to know what is taking place through the non-speaking segments. There is also low lighting so that people can leave and enter the viewing areas as and when they please, for their optimum comfort. Please don’t be put off by this, the interruptions are minimal and do not affect in any way the production. There were people getting up and down but it was not at all an issue to fully enjoy the event – it felt as though you were really in a circus tent.

This feeling is helped by the fact that Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror takes place in the Quay Theatre at The Lowry. My usual home at The Lowry is in the Lyric Theatre, which has a more spaced-out feel. This was a much cosier setting and fitted well with this show. For a small stage, it had huge depth, as it has been well designed and made to look like the front and backstage of Waldo’s circus. Throughout there were subtleties in the performance made from cast members’ shadows coming from thin cloth hanging from the rafters on the stage, which were almost missed if you weren’t embracing the whole theatre rather than just focusing on the main cast speaking or signing at the time. Other occurrences like this included a mime that would be silently performing in the corner whilst other performers were perhaps having a discussion. I loved these details…

Another aspect that really captured my love of productions like this – much like when I have been lucky enough to see a Matthew Bourne production is the unique musical composition. The music reminded me of versions of Scar mixed with electro folk (that you might find in an American retro-style nightclub) mixed with experimental electronic music (a bit like Mr Oizo aka Flat Eric, ((if you need to look it up, so you know what I mean)) – and the way in which most of the clearly vocally talented performers sang in a flat tone adding such a disjointed effect to the music, which worked so well with this production and the styling of the performance.

It really made me think of Baz Luhrmann’s early film Strictly Ballroom with a sprinkling of Moulin Rouge. His way of creating fragmented stylized work really came through this Extraordinary Bodies production.

I think this was one of the best productions I have seen for a smaller stage set-up in recent months. I thought the cast have been well thought out and the quality of the acting was outstanding. What’s more, the impact of having moments of unspoken/signed performance made the stage quiet and added to the eeriness that was an essential part of the thrilling story that was taking place. Equally, the range of performers added depth to the piece that I perhaps haven’t previously experienced.

As you know if you’ve read my reviews before I don’t like to give away the plot, so you’ll just have to go and see it if you want to find out what happened in the story. But if you want to find out what another viewer thought, please read my friend’s thoughts who accompanied me on the night. 

From my friend Metia who came with me to see the show and fellow writer, her thoughts on the performance…
I came to see Waldo with no idea of what I was about to see – to the point that I did not even consider the ability or disability angle of this play until I took my seat in the cosy stalls of the Quays Theatre at the Lowry and watched the signer arrive on stage in their wheelchair.

The main action took place in the colourful circus tent, but moody lighting and thrilling music provided by a trio of musicians in the rafters helped to set an air of pre-war foreboding. It was a beautiful and thought-provoking production that laid bare the fragility of its cast while highlighting their incredible strengths.

Waldo is set in a time and place where the pre-war Nazi regime judged, segregated and purged people according to their different characteristics and views. You feel the plight of Waldo the ringmaster, who is caught between balancing his own needs, the perils his troupe face and his forced compliance with authorities. Seeing these parallels delivered on stage by an authentic mix of individuals gives us the chance to compare that world with today and take note that while the set has changed, the message has not.

Cast

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.

Waldo – Ring-Master played by Garry Robson
Krista – Star of the circus, played by Abbie Purvis
Gerhard Krüger –  twin to Margot, played by Lawrence Swaddle
Dr Margot Kruger – (Doubles as QUEENIE), first-born twin, played by Mirabelle Gremaud 
Peter Günter – Ring Boy played by Tilly Lee-Kronick
Mish – Clown, doubles as OTTO played by Raphaella Julien
Mosh – Clown, doubles as KURT  played by Brooklyn Melvin
Dora – Cleaner and circus performer, played by JoAnne Haines 
Joseph Benowitz – Owner of a rival circus played by Jack Reitman 
Renee – Experienced aerialist of the circus troupe, played by Jonny Leitch
Darragh Finnegan (doubles as Wilhelm) Master at manipulating hats and ladders, played by Ryan Murphy
VIP – played by Max Marchewicz show interpreter

Musicians/Creatives 
Dave Johnzy – Associate Musical Director 
Harriet Riley – Percussionist 
Max Marchewicz – show interpreter

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £13 to £22.

How do I book tickets to watch Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror?

To book tickets please call The Lowry at 08432086000 or via their website here. Recommended guidance age is 12+.

Access:  BSL is embedded into the show which has live BSL interpretation and captioning projected above the stage. Audio Description is pre-recorded and played through headsets. Access tours (15 minutes) are available before the show. All performances are chilled.

The show will be running until Sat, 22 April 2023. The show has a running time of 120 minutes.

Where will the performance be held?

The Lowry
The Lyric Theatre
Pier 8
The Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Manchester
Tel: 0843208 6000

• The Lowry welcomes all visitors regardless of their disability and strives to meet all individuals needs where possible.
• They welcome assistance dogs.
• The Lowry website is fully accessible and features BrowseAloud.  Browsealoud adds speech, reading and translation support, facilitating access and participation for those people who need support reading print, dyslexia, low literacy, mild visual impairments and those with English as a second language. To use this feature, simply click on the grey ear logo located in the footer.
• If you are driving to the show, we would recommend for you to park at The Lowry Outlet which is opposite the theatre, but be aware as there is lack of signage from the car park area to the theatre, so best to ask someone or use google maps to find your way.

  Pre paid car parking tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to your performance. Please note they are unable to sell pre paid tickets on your performance date, and you will need to pay at the ticket machines in the car park. The tickets can be booked at the same time as your seats via their website, or over the phone on freephone 0343 208 6000. The cost is £6.50. This allows you to park for the day.

About The Lowry Theatre

The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. They present audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.  At the heart of their work is a commitment to the local communities and young people. Tapping into the work on their ur stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. They are passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.

About Extraordinary Bodies

Extraordinary Bodies create powerful performances that celebrate our vast potential as humans. Exploring a vibrant mix of circus, dance, theatre, and music, the eclectic company tells meaningful stories that question the value of our bodies and give a voice to those who are often silenced.

Extraordinary Bodies is a vital collaboration between show-makers, Cirque Bijou, and Diverse City, a charity that champions diversity and equity in the performing arts. Together, they create a unique and magical space where diverse bodies are embraced, boundaries are broken, and inclusivity is championed. Combining the skill and talent of D/deaf, disabled, and non-disabled artists, the company’s work is testament to how diverse, extraordinary people can work equally together on and off stage.

Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists is the company’s flagship performing arts training company for disabled and non-disabled 16 to 30 year olds. On a mission to empower the next generation of performers, they make experimental and thought-provoking work which is performed across the UK.

Powered by passion and purpose, Extraordinary Bodies rely on the support of public funding, charitable giving* and trusts, and foundations. Every show is made possible by people who share their belief in inspiring a fairer and more inclusive world.

About Bristol Old Vic

Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th birthday in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment. In 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its two-year redevelopment project, transforming its front of house into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, creating a new Studio theatre and opening up its unique theatrical heritage for the first time.

Since 2020, Bristol Old Vic has been sharing its shows in new ways: Live Broadcast from the Georgian auditorium to tens of thousands and made available On Demand; sharing live interactive theatre events and Q&As, and bringing some of the biggest shows to TV. This has led to the launch of Bristol Old Vic On Screen – unforgettable performances filmed in its 256 year-old theatre, broadcast live to you wherever you are in the world.

About Theatre Royal Plymouth

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is a registered charity providing art, education and community engagement in Plymouth and across the region. It engages and inspires with the aim of touching lives. Theatre Royal Plymouth presents a year-round programme of world class productions on all scales as the South West’s principal centre for performing arts.

Theatre Royal Plymouth works with partners to understand the challenges people face accessing the arts, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged people. It creates pathways that are genuinely accessible to those who might otherwise never get to engage with the arts. They collaborate to co-create and co-author work that represents the community, creating the space needed for people to tell their story in their own way. Theatre Royal Plymouth is the UK’s largest regional producing theatre. With a focus on embracing the vitality of new talent and supporting emerging and established artists. It collaborates with a range of partners to provide dynamic cultural leadership for the city of Plymouth.

Review by: Lex Ward

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Photo Credit: Paul Blakemore