Can’t get enough of the critic-defying, pop song-generating, cheesy but feel-good box office smash hit that is The Greatest Showman? Well, Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus may not be quite as mesmerizing as Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron dueting on The Greatest Show, but it’s looking pretty impressive in its own right.
For one, it’s produced by the people behind the biggest-selling magic show in the world, The Illusionists, and the award-winning puppeteers of War Horse. Hence the never-before-seen massive performing African elephants in the ring — but before you rage about animal rights, these majestic creatures are actually puppets, and they’re the largest of their kind to take the stage. Four puppeteers will animate a mother and a baby elephant, as the adult teaches the younger one to perform in the circus.
To invite you into the glittering world of the circus, The Ringmaster will entertain you as you step into the tent filled with contortionists, acrobats, stilt-walkers, and other circus folk donning recreations of original turn-of-the-century circus garb inspired by photograph collections of old and historical museum pieces.
Still curious about the elephants? Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the animals and the people who bring them to life.
Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus is on from Apr. 18-29, Tues-Fri 7:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am & 3pm, Sat 7pm at Mastercard Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. $65-$185.
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