We Review Circus Contraption

The scene in the warehouse behind Theo Chocolates in the old Red Hook Brewery in Fremont aims to bring audience members into the kind of big-top circus we might associate with the traveling shows from the 1930s. Think Carnivale without the battle between Good and Evil. Simple seats on risers arranged in a semi-circle around a single ring decorated in washed-out 80s neon colors. Colorful lights are draped from the ceilings and an array of circusy snacks are sold along with souvenir cups that change colors.

When the lights dim, a live band starts up and in moments, the stage is filled with a hodge-podge of people playing an even bigger hodge-podge of instruments: flutes, bottles, drums and trombones accompany each other in a parade through the audience. The emcee invites us to leave behind the world outside for the pure joy and safety inside. Sure, we figure, how can we resist?

Although Circus Contraption’s literature describes a plot for the show about it being a run-down circus from the 80s which soon begins to unravel, there is no storytelling of that sort apparent. This isn’t a play. It’s a circus and it’s wonderful.

The acts are fabulous, alternating between high camp and high skill, and the audience is continuously treated to amazing feats of agility and strength. The best example of this was the act simply labeled as “Mermaid” in the program. In it, a woman (we’re bad with names) seductively and lithely performs an amazing aerial dance on a loop of rope suspended over the stage. It truly had had us on the edge of our seats.

On the other end of the spectrum was the camp. Bunny Lamont’s show of mind over matter would have been standard silliness if not for Matt Manges’ perfect rendition of New York accent while wearing the silliest set of bunny ears we’ve ever seen. Later, when he comes out with a jet pack for his tour de force, the audience was fully on his side thanks to his endearing qualities as a shmoe.

This being a circus, there were of course “animal” acts as well Let us be clear though, there was nary an animal in sight. No matter. We loved the trained “walrus,” fell for the three pink, puffy “poodles” and delighted in the antics of a white-faced “macaque,” all of whom had more stage presence in their right paws than we do in our entire bodies.

The few moments we’ve chosen to highlight above don’t do this show justice. If we had enough room to write a novella about each act from the Beer Bottle Choir to the Smokin’ Pole not to mention the band which accompanied everything, we would. We loved them all that much.

The best we can do, in the limited space we have left, is to urge you to get down to Fremont and witness the Circus Contraption spectacle yourself. We’re pretty sure you’ll find yourself back in your youth, clamoring for more and hoping for a peek behind the big top’s many hidden canvas folds.

Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. (21+), Sundays at 7 p.m. (all ages) through June 22//Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave. N.//Tickets $25 (25 and under get in for $20). Front of House volunteers get to see the show for free.