Review

ROLL UP! Roll up! Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but not for the goths, revellers and burlesque lovers who flocked to the Island’s first Gothic Circus.

The event, held at the County Showground, Northwood, was organised by Dino and Arina Joachim.

Visitors who were greeted in the big top by a vaudevillian stilt walker found the atmosphere visually tantalising, like a dark, steampunk fairytale.

There was live music from the ethereal, enchanting Echo Wants Her Voice Back and a rousing sing-a-long, bagpipe-fuelled performance from Wight Hot Pipes.

Eccentric Island band Mr Strange, fronted by the titular genius misfit singer, wearing a Beetlejuice-style black and white blazer, brought real excitement to the stage. Their energetic set featured a pole dancer, aerial hoop performer and crazy angle-grinding zebras with tufts of vivid, wild yellow hair that fired jets of orange sparks into the crowd.

The night continued with three hours devoted to the beauty of burlesque from more than a dozen international artists. Aerial performances so accomplished, acrobatic and exceptionally performed, they could be straight from Cirque du Soleil.

Highlights included Delia du Sol’s beautiful and powerful aerial routine on purple silks. She was stunning and graceful as she seemingly floated through the air to the sound of Marilyn Manson’s eerily haunting cover of Sweet Dreams.

Anticipation heightened as the stage was set on fire for Skinny Redhead, the pioneer of rope self suspension. She made her grand entrance wearing monk's robes and black PVC boots to a choral music soundtrack, then knotted herself to the rig and flew up to the ceiling, above the flames, where she disrobed. She allowed herself to fall dramatically, then float back up, her blonde hair like a halo as she rode above the flames.

Jugglers, contortionists, freak show acts, fire performers and DJs performed throughout the night, making this the perfect event for those who like their entertainment on the dark side.