A CIRCUS act, described as being like Quentin Tarantino directing Cirque du Soleil, is celebrating the power of women with its latest show.

The Circus of Horrors, who reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2011, is returning to Parr Hall on Wednesday with Voodoo Vaudevil.

Dok Haze, the undead ringmaster and creator of the show, said: “This year we’re giving a bit of a nod to the power of women. All the really dangerous stuff is being performed by women: all the aerial work, the knife work and the crossbow.

“We’re excited because this time we’ve got a female knife thrower – which is something that just doesn’t really happen. It’s always a guy throwing around a girl, but this is a husband and wife duo who are doing it the other way round. With it being 100 years since women first won the vote, it’s a great year for us to be able to do that.”

With 2018 proving to be a year full of anniversaries, the Circus of Horrors is also excited to celebrate the 250th birthday of the circus.

This great art form began life back in 18th-century London, when showman and skilled equestrian Philip Astley created what is recognised today as the world’s very first circus.

Filling a 42-foot ring with the very best acrobats, jugglers and riders the city had to offer, Astley’s pioneering vision gave way to an astounding form of entertainment that very quickly began to enchant people right across the globe.

Fast forward 250 years, and the circus is now a worldwide craze that has not only survived, but adapted, grown and transformed over two-and-a-half centuries into a show-stopping phenomenon.

However, the circus hasn’t been without its challenges, but Dok Haze believes the death of some traditional circus acts has enabled his industry to become stronger than ever.

He said: “Looking back over its history I think the circus has been forced to change. Things like animal rights forced circuses to change. If you think about a man in a ring surrounded by lions and tigers – it’s very exciting, but when you don’t use those animals, you have to replace that act with something equally exciting, which brought about the new wave of circuses like Circus of Horrors and Cirque du Soleil.”

Despite being in its 23rd year, Dok Haze said the circus's fans are as enthusiastic as ever.

He added: “I think it’s because this show is something completely different – there’s nothing else like it and over the years we’ve built up a big following.

“We tour every year and from that we’ve built up this army of people who say it’s brilliant.

"When we first started no one had heard of us, but it’s just been building momentum all the way down the line. It’s about taking the extreme to the mainstream.

“This is a great opportunity to see something live on stage that you would only usually get to see on your TV. For example, there are only around 80 sword swallowers in the world, so to see one – and to see the best one in the world – right on your door step is amazing.

“And we love coming to Warrington. We love the people and we love the venue. No matter where you’re sitting, you always feel as though you’re right in the middle of the action.

“To get the chance to see these incredible acts right in front of your eyes really is just phenomenal.”

  • Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345 for tickets. Use the promotional code GORY at the checkout for two for one tickets.