I complained about this not long ago, but once again the P.C. Brigade have ruined a piece of theatrical spectacle because of the abhorrent ‘dangers’ of smoking. When I last complained it was the theatres in Scotland that were suffering the most, but it appeared that at least England still had a small modicum of sense. Not so much anymore.

Circus of Horrors are exactly what they sound like. A travelling circus show that crosses Burlesque and Body Horror. Anything goes.

Now, when a performance arrives at a new theatre they have to provide a risk assessment to show that what they are doing is under control and will not harm the public. Which is just what Circus of Horrors (who incidentally have been touring now for 15 years and have never encountered such nonsense before) did when they arrived at The Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn.

They explained how they swallow swords. They swallow revolving electric drills. They swallow fire. They nail their tongues to planks of wood. They pull hoovers around that are attached to their genitals. They fire bows and arrows with their feet. They walk barefoot up a ladder of swords. They contort themselves into impossibly small and tight spaces.

All of this is fine as far as Health and Safety and Risk Assessment go. No problems at all. But when they mention that one of the performers smokes a cigarette during their act the red tape comes out and all the bureaucratic heads shake and say no. This despite guide lines that state that a performer is allowed to smoke on stage as part of a performance. Ridiculous. [/rantover]