On Friday night, May 24, 2024, the Paranormal Cirque II enthralled audiences under the Orange Striped Big Top Tent at the Auburn Collection.

This wasn’t your grandpa’s circus though – it was more of a “wicked performance of European style” – and nobody under the age of 13 was admitted to the show, and those 13 – 17 had to be accompanied by an adult.

“Slow down so you can take it all in… but if you scare easily, you might want to run,” the announcement teased as the show welcomed attendees into its eerie, enchanting world.

Beneath the ominous Clown Castle – draped in black and red — acrobats soared through the air, illusionists baffled with their tricks, and a host of freakish, mysterious creatures paraded in a spectacle far from a typical circus. This new show seamlessly blended the exhilaration of a circus with the spine-tingling thrills of the paranormal.

The Paranormal Cirque II is a breathtaking blend of circus, theater, and cabaret, masterfully crafted to transport audiences into a dark realm where the extraordinary meets the terrifying. It’s a place where childhood dreams, nightmares, and wild fantasies collide in a thrilling display of circus artistry.

Scares, laughter, awe, and surprise — these are the ingredients that make the Paranormal Cirque II an unforgettable experience. It’s truly a paranormal adventure like no other, leaving audiences spellbound and clamoring for more.

The touring cirque was created by Manuel Rebecchi in 2012, starting with two water-oriented circus shows. This R-rated “paranormal” version was brought to the U.S. from Italy in June 2018.

Unlike an old-fashioned circus, no animals are involved…although some of the participants sure look and act animalistic at times.