The Vampire Circus is not the name of a goth rock band. But it could be. The Levoy Theatre hosts a troupe of 15 circus performers on Sunday, October 13, doing a rendition of Francisco Javier Santos’ production. Santos fused his love of both horror and circuses to create the unique show. The result is The Vampire Circus.
It’s the perfect vehicle for Halloween and for those who want something in addition to the Rocky Horror Picture Show every year.
The production, which features theater, dance and gymnastics, resembles Cirque Du Soleil. And for good reason. Santos’ resume includes stints performing with Cirque as do many of the performers.
The production is described as fun, but also as dark and mysterious.
According to one analysis, the troupe performs “horrific feats of acrobatics, comical audience interactions, and also features contortionists, jugglers, and clowns, cloaked to produce fear and joy” during the same 90 minutes.
The show brings the audience on an immersive ride through the Underworld and world of Vampires, wrapped around legendary traveling carnivals.
Singer Gloria Estefan called it “an incredible show.”
Set in Bohemia during the 19th century, the story revolves around a plan hatched by Count Dracula for world domination. The plan depends on a traveling circus with gypsy bodyguards. A play within a play, The Vampire Circus acts as a cover-up to travel unnoticed, thus unleashing a reign of terror turning humans into an army of vampires for global dominance.
As we said, a fun night.
The Vampire Circus performers integrate and engage the audience throughout the show, surrounding them, if you will.
Throughout the engagement, witness acrobatics performed by international artists with skills honed-in theater, dance, and gymnastics.
“I worked for Cirque du Soleil for over 15 years and most of the cast are former Cirque du Soleil performers,” says Santos, CEO and founder of The Vampire Circus.
The basic story remains from year to year. “But we do change the acts sometimes to refresh the show, which has toured since 2012,” Santos said. “We usually work September to December. The rest of the year performers have bookings in other circuses. Some go back to Cirque du Soleil while others get seasonal jobs in Europe.”
The show could add a live rock band and singers in the future, says Santos, the eighth generation in his family to be involved in the entertainment business.
From a young age Santos has been active in widely famed circus shows around the world. He has traveled across five continents during a successful career performing Icarian Games, an ancient discipline known for its unique style and technique.
He’s won awards as coveted as Spain’s 2009 Villa de Madrid award, and an Emmy in the category of “Outstanding Non-Fiction Program” for his work in the series Fire Within.
Since 2002, Santos has worked simultaneously with Cirque du Soleil on the creation of the show Varekai. He’s served as a guest artist in the category Icarian Games, which has been seen by more than nine million people around the world.
Santo has read classic vampire stories and watched terror films behind the sofa since early childhood. He no longer sneaks behind the sofa to watch his favorite horror movies.
If You Go:
- The Vampire Circus appears at the Levoy Theatre, 126-130 N. High Street, Millville
- Date: Sunday, October 13
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Tickets: $49 to $79 plus fees, available through Levoy.net.
- For more information, visit Levoy.net, e-mail at [email protected] or call 856-327-6400
