Cirque – The Greatest Show: a circusmusical hybrid coming to a stage near you

Roll up, roll up for a live show combining circus stunts and West End hits. A thrilling hybrid that sounds like the on-stage equivalent of a mythological centaur, Cirque – The Greatest Show is a chance to watch aerial artists soar through the air and contortionists untangle themselves from knots while listening to earworms from the likes of Moulin Rouge, Hairspray and, of course, The Greatest Showman. This travelling spectacular is calling in at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre this week, and here to tell us all about it is creative director Max Fox, who is also a singer within the show, writes Holly O’Mahony…

“I created the show back in 2019, and then we rebalanced it to introduce the cirque aspect into the production,” Max recalls. He’d been in the industry for years, but on the theatre side. A singer first and foremost, prior to setting up Cirque, Max had been touring with a Jersey Boys tribute show. Around the same time, 2017 movie The Greatest Showman was growing a cult following. Max, like many, was “obsessed” with its feel-good message. Clocking its unabating popularity (who hasn’t seen a sing-along screening advertised?), he began working on an idea for a live show fusing the worlds of circus and show tunes.

“The Greatest Showman is a timeless classic now. It’s got longevity; it’s another Grease,” he affirms. While the movie is the inspiration for Cirque, Max and his creative team have had to be careful not to copy it, or indeed the plot lines of any of the musicals featured. “We use small rights, which means you cannot dramatise certain elements,” he explains. Following negotiations with Fox, the company that produced The Greatest Showman, it was decided the Cirque team should wear sequins and sparkles, but not traditional ringmaster outfits like those seen in the movie. Similarly, choreography must be different to what’s depicted on screen. For example, the hit song ‘Rewrite the Stars’ features a trapeze act in the film, so it can’t in Cirque’s stage show.

To get the show off the ground, “we joined up with Entertainers, who produce lots of shows around the country, and they put together this huge tour of 200 shows – we’re going everywhere,” grins Max. I interview him while he’s on the road to Cardiff. After its run at the Churchill this week, the show is set to continue touring the UK until Christmas 2023.

“I’ve tried to keep the songs mainstream,” says Max, whose favourite track in the show is ‘From Now On’ from The Greatest Showman. “With [touring circus show] Cirque du Soleil, they use original pieces of music, but it’s interesting to have a toe-tapping piece people can listen to while seeing circus artists,” he reasons.

Ensuring the show’s physical elements align with the vocal is choreographer Lynsey Brown.

“We’re trying to incorporate circus elements into a lot of different music; we’re finding links that travel through. It syncs very nicely,” says Max before trailing off, hesitant to give too much away.

Also integral to the cast is mime artist, Christian Lee (a semifinalist on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent). “He creates a narrative through the show and he’s sort of our ringmaster,” Max explains.

Cirque features a cast of 16 including singers, gymnasts and contortionists, with as many people behind stage making it happen. Split into two halves with an interval sandwiched in the middle, the show features around 20 songs in total, and has been made with a view of entertaining audiences of all ages: toddlers, teens and senior theatregoers alike. Will audiences peel themselves off the sofa to see it during this particularly cold snap of weather?

“It’s ideal entertainment to light up a cold, dark February,” Max insists. “It’s a feel-good family show. We’re trying to put a touch of colour into their lives. We hope they walk away with a smile and come back.”

Cirque - The Greatest Show is playing at The Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA. February 2 - 4, 7:30pm and additionally at 3pm on Saturday 4. Admission: £20/concessions available. www.churchilltheatre. co.uk/Online/tickets-cirque-thegreatest-show-bromley-2023