REVIEW : CIRQUE INFERNAL EXPLODES ONTO JOBURG THEATRE STAGE THIS SEPTEMBER
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Joburg Theatre is proud to present Cirque Infernal, direct from Europe, on the Mandela stage from September 6th to September 23rd 2018. Yes, the circus is certainly back in town. Created by Danny Varanne who was part of Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline which was presented at Joburg Theatre in 2012. Born and raised in a traditional family of performers, Danny started as a showman in his parent’s burlesque theatre in France from an early age. Along with his brothers, Danny started a motorcycle daredevil show. They toured the world and became internationally acclaimed for their skills. In 2012, Danny received two awards at the prestigious Festival International Du Cirque De Monte-Carlo and an official Guinness World Record!
A circus with a difference as it has an actual storyline less the clowns or wildlife normally associated with the circus. The tightrope performer, Wilson Stey, plunges to his death but is given a second chance at life if he manages to complete various tasks successfully, of course, or else his soul and that of all the audiences will forever belong to the Grim Reaper. Warren Zavatta is the Voice of Death. Yes, it’s dark and gothic but oh so worth it!
Valentin and Catalin Badea
Our hero Wilson Stey is the funambulist (tightrope walking). At only 23 years old, Stey is from France. His ancestors have been walking the tightrope since the Middle Ages. His ability to balance on a chair on a tightrope so high up, without a net or any other form of safety mechanism is nothing short of admirable. Romanian brothers Valentin and Catalin Badea are the Strong Men in the show. Besides the fact that they had amazing bodies, the show of strength by these men was sensational! Their strength is outstanding!
Pro Sufi dancer Aurelia Baque didn’t do much for me. To be honest, I’m still wondering what her role really was. Shelly d’Inferno, is Varanella, the Queen of Darkness in the show making sure that our hero fulfils or rather doesn’t fulfil the tasks he needs to, in order to save our souls. Her fire playing skills had our son wide-eyed and in awe. Real life couple Rachel Irving and Charlie Peratt push the boundaries of the knife throwing act. Rachel’s engagement with the audience to “feel” what she was about to experience was a nice touch. Having the audience appreciate the ultimate show of trust between two individuals, when she placed herself on the spinning wheel while her husband Charlie threw knives at the wheel, narrowly missing her.
Shelly Netzler
Ruslana Krutas the contortionist will literally freak you out! What she manages to do with her legs will leave you wondering how the hell she can manage it! If you attempt it at home, just be sure to be safe and have your doctor’s number handy. Equally entertaining was skeleton-suited Andriy Ruzhylo balancing on Rolla Bolla tubes and boards.
The finale was dare-devil motorbikers one of whom was Stephane Bucheton who rode the Wall of Death. Our son thoroughly adored it! So much so he now wants a motorbike of his own to try those stunts.
Inspired by Federico Fellini, Wim Wenders and Tim Burton, Cirque Infernal offers non-stop captivating entertainment with astonishing and death-defying acts.
If you’re looking for something to do with the family then Cirque Infernal should be right up at the top of your list!
Cirque Infernal is on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre from September 6th to September 23rd, 2018.
Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 3 pm & 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.
Tickets are available at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 760 670, or Webtickets.
Discounts are available for students, pensioners and groups of ten or more – these are available by calling the theatre directly on 011 877 6853.
There’s an age restriction of No Under 5’s.
Cirque Infernal is presented in association with People Magazine and Jacaranda FM.
Disclaimer: I received tickets to the Cirque Infernal but the review is my own.
