Enter your worst nightmares with this year’s Halloween Horror Nights stage show, “Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus.” This is the fourth version of the award-winning HHN show.
‘Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus’
Step right up to a dark circus, a new nightmare that carries with it a sinister curse. It’s a thrilling spectacle of pyro and aerialists.
“Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus” is performed at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11 p.m., and 12:30 a.m. during Halloween Horror Nights.
Review of ‘Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus’
No photography or video recording is allowed during the show but we could take pictures of the stage before it started. Predictably, it has circus-like theming. Two set pieces resemble circus wagons. Platforms to the sides of the stage feature triangle patterns and stars on top.
This wagon advertises “Magic of the Macabre,” “Phantasms,” and “Astounding Animals.” Jack-o’-lanterns are between lights at the edge of the stage.
The center of the stage features a colorful but weathered circus marquee and banners.
The second wagon advertises the Fuel Girls, the name of the real-life fire-wielding act that performs in “Nightmare Fuel.”
The show opens on a dark and stormy Halloween when the Nocturnal Circus came to town. The main character explains that he was cursed to relive the night over and over, seeing the love of his life die a hundred times, a hundred different ways. But this time, he vows to save her.
The show features pyrotechnics, stunts, aerial dancers, and rock music. In keeping with the circus theme, sometimes the performers are dressed like mimes and clowns. Sometimes they have flaming swords. The hero tries to save his love from being cut in half during a magic trick.
As always, the “Nightmare Fuel” cast is immensely talented. Their dedication to their craft is apparent. Their technical expertise is top-notch. Familiar faces do familiar stunts.
That said, “Nocturnal Circus” is not the “Nightmare Fuel” you’re used to. The last couple of years felt tired since they were re-hashes of the original show. But this is new and a refreshing change of pace.
The new storyline is engaging and easy to follow. You know from the start it’s a tragedy, but with a glimmer of hope. The story fits with the overarching theme of the houses this year. We leave the horror behind but it persists. The evil, the sorrow, the brutality. We survive but there’s nothing we can do to save anyone else.
The magic trick enthusiast in our group felt some of the tricks were a downgrade from last year. But they were still impressive.
“Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus” is worth your time. Though we usually only see “Nightmare Fuel” once per Halloween Horror Nights season, we will return to watch this one.
Rating out of 7: 7
Location of ‘Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus’
“Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus” is located at the Fear Factor Live stage, at P on the map below.
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