A black velvet-lined coffin is rolled out of the gates of an 18-foot-tall castle. Six pallbearers pull it with precision and open the lid. From the coffin, a pale woman rises from the dead, grabs two aerial straps, and ascends into the air, twisting and spiraling in an impressive aerial acrobatic performance. As the act concludes, she’s lowered back into the coffin, fighting against the pallbearers before being wheeled back into the graveyard.
This scene is just one of many captivating, eerie and death-defying acts from “The Vampire Circus’” performance on stage at Hollywood’s Montalbán Theater. Founded by former Cirque du Soleil performer Francisco Santos, the performance blends circus arts, gothic storytelling and acrobatics. “The Vampire Circus” was in town from September 19 to October 6, kicking off L.A.’s Halloween season.
The 90-minute performance showcases a dozen uniquely skilled performers, including dancers, aerialists, roller skaters, contortionists and comedians. Set in 19th-century Bohemia, the show is based on traditional traveling circuses — with a twist. This troupe is filled with vampires whose souls are permanently trapped, only released once every 500 years to perform.
These performers definitely scared me, not for fear of a vampire attack, but the nerve-wracking stunts and acrobatics. I was quite literally on the edge of my seat for much of the performance, gripping my friend’s arm and sometimes covering my eyes as the performers pushed the limits of what seemed humanly possible. Dancers whipped ropes dangerously close to their faces, while others twisted and turned upside down on a giant hoop called a cyr wheel. Aerialists spun high in the air, suspended by various implements like chains, silks and hoops. I’ve yet to see Cirque du Soleil, but I can’t imagine anything more impressive than what I witnessed at the “Vampire Circus.”
One special standout was a jaw-dropping roller skating duo. They skated in dizzying circles on a small platform, performing acrobatic stunts. At one point, the female skater hung upside down from her skating partner’s neck, supported only by her foot. Later, the pair were attached by a short rope around their necks as she spiraled through the air.
Another favorite was the circus’ take on the classic “strongman,” who typically performs impressive and impossible physical feats, like lifting heavy objects, bending iron and breaking metal. This strongman juggled knives, then flipped and caught heavy kettle bells, even balancing one on a pole on his forehead. This performance really exemplified the show’s commitment to pushing the physical boundaries of human performance.
Despite its spooky premise, “The Vampire Circus” was definitely family-friendly. It was immersive, too: the fourth wall was often broken by a hilarious (albeit scary-looking) clown who appeared between acts. His antics — magic with a stuffed bunny, knife “throwing” and jokes — provided much-needed comic relief between the intense stunts.
The circus concluded its run in Los Angeles, but the tour continues its run in the U.S. and Canada through early November. If you’re on the East Coast, you can catch them before the end of spooky season, and if not, definitely stay tuned for next year, when I hope this incredible troupe will return to Los Angeles.