‘Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror’: a new circus theatre musical and spectacular story of love and resistance set in a travelling circus comes to The Lowry this April.
A daring tale of humanity, Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror is based on an original idea by Hattie Naylor, and co-written by Hattie Naylor and Jamie Beddard with an original score by Charles Hazlewood arrives at The Lowry, Salford from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 April.
Set in 1933 Germany where Nazis are burning books and suspending civil rights, Waldo and his eclectic troupe of acrobats and clowns dedicate themselves to their craft. Concealed within the glamour of Waldo’s big top, stories of love, courage and resistance are revealed as the world outside this remarkable circus troupe becomes darker and more dangerous. The story is informed by historical research and the experiences of real performers. The star of Waldo’s Circus is ‘Krista’ played by Abbie Purvis with Lawrence Swaddle as ‘Gerhard’. 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’s Circus of Magic & Terror is presented by Extraordinary Bodies based on an original idea by Hattie Naylor (Ivan and the Dogs, The Night Watch) and co-written by Hattie Naylor and Jamie Beddard (Messiah, The Elephant Man). The composer is Charles Hazlewood (Artistic Director, Paraorchestra) and it is co-directed by Claire Hodgson (Diverse City), Billy Alwen (Cirque Bijou) and Jenny Davies. Waldo’s Circus is co-produced with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth. All shows are Chilled Performances, BSL interpreted, captioned and audio described. It premieres at Bristol Old Vic with National press night on 16 March.
Extraordinary Bodies acknowledge the Holocaust and the millions of Jewish victims, and other groups* including disabled people who were targeted for persecution and murder. In making this work, the company affirms its unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence.
The world of Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror takes the painted-on glamour, skilful risk-taking, fierce loyalty, and the idea that ‘the show must go on’ as its narrative pillars. Set in 1933 when the law for “Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases” is passed, Waldo the Ringmaster with his travelling circus of outcasts and misfits, acrobats and aerialists, lovers and fighters are surviving in the fervour of Hitler’s dictatorship.
Jamie Beddard, Writer said: “As a disabled person and artist, I’m acutely aware of the stigmatisation of particular groups and people through the growth of fascism in the past and now. The popularity of Eugenics in early 1930s Germany marked the beginning of a dark chapter in history where millions of people who were deemed not to conform were brutally hunted down and ‘dealt with’. Whilst researching this period, the role of the circus in helping some of these people escape and find sanctuary provided the basis for Waldo’s Circus. Our dramatic exploration of this moving and brave story reminds us to be always vigilant, and with the energy, skills and creativity of our artists, we hope to create a spectacular, meaningful and vital piece”
Hattie Naylor, Writer said: “The inspiration and story of Waldo’s Circus evolved from initial interest and conversations generated by Todd Browning’s iconic film Freaks, released in 1932. It occurred to me that there must have been circuses in Germany that had so-called ‘freak shows’ at that time. So, I started researching, and I found that not only was this the case but these performers were smuggled out of the country through the circus networks, to Paris and beyond. Jamie, Extraordinary Bodies and I worked on the characters together, taking inspiration from a variety of circus artists from both the past and present. Extraordinary Bodies is not only doing radical work but is utterly inclusive and aims as a principle to make everyone welcome and heard. It is a privilege to work with a company with this profound ethos at its heart.”
The score is composed by Charles Hazlewood and developed alongside rehearsals, and research and development sessions with the cast and creatives. The music promises a bold mix of styles with live, multi-instrumentalists onstage.
Charles Hazlewood, Composer said: “When I write a score for a piece of theatre, I write for the performers in the rehearsal room and borrow from each and any, and all musical worlds. For Waldo’s Circus where Hattie and Jamie have written very beautiful, lyrical prose, I thought – how about if we created a kind of punk circus that also borrowed from new romanticism, techno and renaissance? There’s no incongruity about having a punk aria followed by a piece of renaissance counterpoint – and that’s what the show will be. Extraordinary Bodies is a phenomenally skilled, and ultimately, very, very open-hearted, adventurous bunch of individuals.”
Announcing lead performers Abbie Purvis and Lawrence Swaddle:
Abbie Purvis is an actor and musical theatre performer. She plays ‘Krista’, the star of the circus and the main attraction. She has a brave heart and is funny, sassy and loyal. The circus is Krista’s family and the only place where she has felt safe. Purvis comes from a lineage of actors, she is the granddaughter of Jack Purvis (Time Bandits, Monty Python and Star Wars) and her mother Katie Purvis played the iconic role of Maternal Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.
Lawrence Swaddle plays ‘Gerhard’, handsome but gullible, and a Nazi Party member. Lawrence is an actor and circus performer who trained at the Oxford School of Drama. Over his career, he has performed internationally and nationally in circus shows and theatre productions.
Extraordinary Bodies is a collaboration between Cirque Bijou and Diverse City, who have worked together for the last decade creating multi-disciplinary circus shows with D/deaf, disabled and non-disabled artists.
Claire Hodgson and Billy Alwen, Co-Directors, Extraordinary Bodies said: “In Extraordinary Bodies’ shows, we try to reflect the world as it truly is – on stage. It is important that our work connects the inside and the outside of theatres to the audiences that see it, and we embed the work as much as possible in the community before and after the shows. Waldo’s Circus is a cross-genre feast and the music is surprising, jumping across genres and decades. The circus will be varied and exciting. It is quite punk, feisty, astonishing and about the best of us and the worst of us as humans. You will be entranced by the performers and their characters and unable to forget the beautiful writing and the songs.”
For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange interviews contact jennifer.dean@thelowry.com. For hi-res production images visit www.flickr.com
LISTINGS
20 – 22 April – The Lowry, Salford
Duration: approx. 120 minutes
Age recommendation: 12+
NOTES TO EDITORS
In addition to singling out Jews for complete annihilation, the Nazis targeted for discrimination and persecution, anyone they believed threatened their ideal of a ‘pure Aryan race’.
* Other Groups targeted by the Nazis include Roma, Disabled people, some Slavic peoples (especially Poles and Russians) and Black people. Other groups targeted also included Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gay people, Freemasons, people the Nazis called ‘asocials’ and ‘professional criminals’ and political opponents – primarily communists, trade unionists and social democrats.
Extraordinary Bodies are working with a Jewish advisory group that includes specialists, formed to support script development and external communications.
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Interviewees available: Hattie Naylor with Jamie Beddard, Claire Hodgson, Billy Alwen and Charles Hazlewood, and actors, Abbie Purvis and Dominic Owen.
Images: Google folder link Image credit: Photograph by Paul Blakemore and design by Studio Stiles
Image description (alt text) “The main image is two performers sat on a raised tight wire in a dark circus tent. The circus tent is decorated with gold stars and bunting. To the right is the main character, Krista who is a young white woman of short stature with short brown hair looking away into the distance. To the left is Gerhard, a young white man with short brown hair, who gazes intently at the other performer, Krista, as he reaches his hand to touch her. Both characters’ costumes are in the style of the 1930s. Hers is a shiny silver beaded corset with white silk shorts, tights and black shoes. He looks elegant in brown trousers and a brown waistcoat over a long-sleeved white shirt and black shoes. Underneath the two performers burns a small fierce fire with red flames, reaching the soles of their feet and signifying the danger beneath this love story”
Press Pack including cast & creative portraits and rehearsal images, credit Paul Blakemore or Steve Tanner: Google folder link (ALT text for images HERE)
Extraordinary Bodies Language Guide for referring to disability LINK
Website: https://www.extraordinarybodies.org.uk/
Short Credit: Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror is presented by Extraordinary Bodies. It was conceived and written by Hattie Naylor and co-written with Jamie Beddard, the composer is Charles Hazlewood and it is co-directed by Claire Hodgson and Billy Alwen. The show is co-produced with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Plymouth. It is funded by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Access: BSL is embedded into the show which has live BSL interpretation and captioning each side of the stage. Audio Description is pre-recorded and played through headsets. Access tours (15 minutes) are available before the show. All performances are chilled.
Characters in Waldo’s Circus: Google Doc Link Performer Biographies: Google Doc Link
Creative team Biographies: (bios Google doc link)
Written by Hattie Naylor and Jamie Beddard
Based on an original idea by Hattie Naylor
Composer Charles Hazlewood
Directed by Claire Hodgson, Billy Alwen and Jenny Davies
This is an Arts Council England supported, national touring project. Extraordinary Bodies is touring three stage shows: Human, Delicate and Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror to national tour partners: Brighton Dome, The Civic Barnsley, Lighthouse Poole, The Lowry Salford, MAST Mayflower Studios Southampton, Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Fire Station Sunderland.
Access Statement for press and media in lieu of interviews with cast and creatives:
Extraordinary Bodies is an inclusive company that works with D/deaf and disabled people. For access purposes, we may request sensitivity around timings and the provision of access support such as captioning or different interview options. The language we use is aligned with the Social Model of Disability. There may be a cost involved in covering access support, such as personal assistance, speech-to-text translation, captions, British Sign Language interpretation or specialist travel which we would be open to discussing as required to ensure our PR activity is inclusive to all.
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. Extraordinary Bodies. Circus for Every Body. *Administered by charity, Diverse City.
Extraordinary Bodies is funded by Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the National Lottery.