6 minute wank.
You are always guaranteed to remember your first show from Liverpool’s alternative entertainment troupe, The Secret Circus.
Ahead of my interview with the agents of provocateur, a wry smile forms on my face as I revisit old memories from my first show on Valentines 2020.
My affinity started with the marketing, like most creatives, they take advantage of free platforms like Facebook and Instagram to advertise their show and grow a following.
I remember something progressive immediately caught my eye. A gender-neutral toilet? In 2020! The event, titled: Secret Circus Anti Valentine’s Special, spoke to my sentiment at the time. I was so grateful to find an anarchistic celebration of singledom that I bought two tickets and headed down, alone.
That night, the 33-year-old me was determined to subvert that stinking stereotype that being single on Valentines day is sorrowful. Powered by positive self-talk in the taxi, I arrived at 68-76 Kempston Street, a warehouse conversion in the Fabric District of Liverpool.
After I was seated, Naffrodite’s clowning antics soon took the seriousness out of my soul and a line-up of dance and draglesque ensued. Donna the Dominatrix commanding the audience’s attention with her bullwhip and the Queen of Heartbreak splitting my sides with hilarious poetry. Least I forget, larger than life comedian Midgitte Bardot and a few mime and dance acts peppered in between.
During the interval I browsed merchandise by local independents, sipped from a cheap chalice and made friends with a lady after enquiring the price of her leather vulvas that were hanging on display.
I’m not saying your first Secret Circus will lead to wonton (I speak Chinese) abandonment of your sexuality and ménage triose’s but it will endeavour to remain in your memory for years to follow.
So roll up, roll up and buy your tickets here.
I caught up with the masters behind the ceremonies, Queen of Heartbreak, Beija Flo, Naffrodite and Crystal Maisie, collectively known as, The Secret Circus, after their last show, Fuck the Tories, to talk about their humble beginnings and their upcoming 10-year anniversary party, The Night Circus. Set to be their biggest bonanza yet, this one is not to be missed.
The Secret Circus has nurtured it’s brand of creativity over the last 10 years. Founded in 2014 by Eve Howlett (Queen of Heartbreak) and Chanel Samson, The Secret Circus has become a regular fixture in alternative entertainment in Liverpool.
Not just a ragtag group of semi organised heathens, they are friends and fierce females in their own right, each holding down professional jobs outside of putting on 3 unforgettable shows a year.
The spectacle of dance, comedy, poetry, improv, drag and alt music, can be spotted across several well selected venues in Liverpool but their bastard was born in Studio 2, with many of the early venues, Mello Mello, The Kazimier and 81 Renshaw street long gone to student housing developments. The Secret Circus won’t let just anyone hold their baby either, always on the move scoping out venues with something a bit special from churches that allow you to bring your own booze to swinger clubs over the water.
The Townhouse, is set over 4 floors, with a narrow staircase joining the ‘play rooms’, a euphemism for a room that you may fuck in.
Their latest victory, The Townhouse Takeover, was set in a licensed adult entertainment venue in Birkenhead. An evening of their usual resplendour, just set in a swingers club over the water.
The Secret Circus show took place as per their usual sex positive, perpetually inclusive, nothing to see here line up, but with an additional opportunity for a brief encounter for afters. The was no obligation to fuck or get fucked. The beauty of this union is that the show started at 8pm and ended at 10ish, then the Townhouse opened to it’s regular clientele and the fresh and salty waters may or may not have merged.
The Townhouse is not enigmatic, similar to your nan’s townhouse, the stairs creak and the carpet could do with a change. The fact such places spark a feeling of aliveness in your nether regions is a depressing reflection of our society. None the less, if you are unfamiliar with fucking, i.e. living miserably ever after, co parenting or woefully out of touch then make the next Secret Circus show set in the Townhouse one for your diaries.
Having been a patron now to a fair few shows, it feels like they are peddling inclusivity by bringing 50 shades of spectrum to their ad lib stage. Their art is enthusiastically described by the gals as cabaret;
“ We are chameleons of the cabaret word”
“The stage reflects who we attract” says Beija Flo
Their ‘All Star’ performers include Ed & Tommy Jollyboat, nerdy musical comedians, Nana Funk, a songstress on a mission to fight ageism, Legion of Doom and Fool Size Theatre amongst others.
Those who want a parody of the real word with no two shows the same, can come as they are, the audience is as much a part of the show as the acts.
Many of the shows have accessibility at the forefront with early bird prices for those on low incomes, often fundraising for a charity as an excuse to put on a show.
The priority has always been to put on stage more of what they want to see in the world says Eve (Queen of Heartbreak). Sometimes that means operating at a loss. In the recent years they have taken a serious approach to running the business side with (Naffrodite) the in-house clown taking charge of finances and making sure they break even.
You can support their 10 year anniversary fundraiser here, or just buy yourself a ticket to the next show and let loose. Additionally, the more funds they raise, the more accessible they can make the event by reducing ticket prices. Their goal is to create an unforgettable experience that everyone can be a part of.
To a dilettante like me the Secret Circus belies a secret sense of freedom, community and libertarianism. You can go alone or be blasé in your blasphemy by inviting along your work colleagues.
If there is one act you are not keen on you will be watching something completely different 5-10 mins later says Crystal Maisie.
When I probe further into why, 10 years on, they they still juggle their day job, the job of promoter, producer, stage manager and performer they all unanimously agree,
For the attention, of course.
And also the fact Eve has ink.
End.
Q&A
Q: Betty Page or Page 3? A: Betty Page
Q: Ditta Von Tesse or Dogs on heat? A: Dogs on heat.
Q: Charlie Sheen or Charlie Dimmock? A: Dimmock
Q: Marilyn Monroe Or Marylin Manson? A: Monroe
majorloveme 