The Dark Circus Party

Roll Up, Roll Up! Prepare to be transported to a dark, dreamy and slightly depraved world of heady illusion and unbridled spectacle. Launching on Saturday 15th June at Bloomsbury Ballroom, The Dark Circus Party is an exciting new event that combines Bourne & Hollingsworth’s atmospheric production, delicious cocktails and innovative theming with the striking theatrical performances from the notorious Torture Garden.

The original purveyors of everything dark and thrilling, the creators of Torture Garden are donning their top hats and tails and joining the circus for an evening celebrating all that is glamorous, provocative and a little bit risqué. With cabaret and burlesque enjoying widespread popularity in London, The Dark Circus Party invites its guests to step over to the dark side without becoming completely engulfed in the shadows. Bridging the gap between mainstream and niche, The Dark Circus Party offers an experience that is surreal and subversive, without being scary or strange, and indulges the thrill of disguise with sequins, costumes and masks rather than rubber, latex and chains.

Connoisseurs of the peculiar, Torture Garden’s finest acts bring their very own circus freak to London revellers for a visual and sensory extravaganza. Upon entering the velvet draped Big Top, thrill seekers are invited to seek out the bizarre, free their inner exhibitionist and immerse themselves in the weird and wonderful world of the circus. This event promises to be a carnival of curiosities, where guests are encouraged to succumb to an evening of abandoned dancing, pleasure seeking and spectacular entertainment.

Confirmed acts include Perhaps Contraption, an avant-garde pop marching band who have paraded all over the music scene, including performing at Glastonbury, Bestival and The Secret Garden Party. Also showcasing her extraordinary talent at Belle Époque Dark Circus Party will be Japanese performer, model, choreographer and Cirque du Soleil member Yusura. Cabaret host, compère and ringmaster Benjamin Louche will regale guests as they mingle with the creatures of the underworld. Later, The Beautiful Jewels will captivate guests with a surreal and stunning performance combining burlesque and the ancient art of sword swallowing. Throughout the evening, characters from four headed vaudeville The Late Night Shop Cabaret will bewilder and entertain with their eclectic experimental performances.
Guests can sip on potent cocktails and peruse the stage from the intimate curtained areas on the mezzanine level or pay a visit to Miss Marguerite’s painted wagon for a lesson in costume make up.

The music will be a mix of Electro Swing, Circus Burlesque, Kabaret, Ballroom Blitz and Big Top Party Mash-Ups. DJs for the evening include Joe Black, David TG and Belle Epoque’s very own Dan Gilbert.

The dress code for the evening is strict, but stretches the limits of your imagination. Vintage, Glamour & Fantasy with a Dark Circus Twist (Full costumes or a dash of themed styling): Ring Masters, Burlesque Showgirls, Leopard Print Leotards, Tattooed Ladies, Sideshow Freaks, Queens of the Flying Trapeze, Animal Masks, Clowns, Snake Charmers, Lion Tamers, Strong Men, Venice Carnival Masque Ball, Berlin Kabaret, Steam Punk, Top Hat and Tails, Feathers and Corsets, Decadent Dandies, Beautiful Ballerina's, Ball Gowns, Cocktails Dresses, Dashing Vintage Suits. Denim doesn’t dazzle, no one swears by sportswear and smart casual definitely has no place in the divinely decadent surroundings of The Dark Circus Party.