Written by Sason Bishope Parry
Oakland, CA – On Friday, August 29th, Paranormal Cirque II swept into Oakland beneath its haunting black-and-red Big Top, transforming the I-880 lot near the arena into a twisted playground of circus magic, spine-tingling horror, and unfiltered fun. The opening-night crowd packed the tent with electric anticipation; some fans even arrived in Halloween-inspired costumes that heightened the atmosphere and blurred the line between audience and spectacle before the first act began. From the opening music to the eerie lighting, the mood was set for a night where reality and nightmare collided.
At the center of the madness was Steve Copeland, part MC, part comedian, and part ghostly Italian ringleader. His job was to guide the audience through the evening, but he did much more; he owned it. With manic energy, quick wit, and a flair for slapstick, Copeland kept the show’s pulse alive. His “Italian ghost accent” may not have been perfect, but it was pitch-perfect for his brand of humour, amplifying the campy yet creepy vibe. Between acts, he worked the crowd like a master puppeteer, riffing on audience members, firing off jokes that landed hard, and improvising on the fly with fearless timing.
Steve turned every pause into a comedy routine of its own, ensuring the energy never dipped. By the end of the night, he pushed his act to outrageous new heights, shedding piece after piece of clothing until he was strutting the stage in nothing but his underwear, sending the audience into fits of laughter. It was bold, unhinged, and the perfect comic release after so much high-octane tension.
The performers themselves delivered a relentless mix of artistry and danger that kept the crowd wide-eyed from start to finish. High above the tent, the aerialists soared, spun, and flipped with otherworldly grace, their stunts drawing gasps from the audience. One performer performed hair-hanging feats that seemed to defy both physics and fear, dangling mid-air suspended only by her hair in a stunt that left jaws dropped.
A comedy highlight came when a giant coffin was rolled onto the stage, leading the audience to brace for a towering vampire. Instead, what emerged was a pint-sized vampire who quickly stole the spotlight with perfectly timed comedy. His antics, including bringing an audience member onstage before hilariously “sucking his blood,” combined parody, fright, and humour in a way only Paranormal Cirque could deliver.
The contortionist followed with nightmare-inducing physicality, twisting himself into impossible shapes and folding his body into positions that seemed straight out of a horror film. Despite his lean build, his strength was undeniable as he lifted and balanced himself into gravity-defying stances that showcased both artistry and raw endurance. Then came
the sword swallower, who turned up the danger factor with one blade after another disappearing down her throat. At one point, she spun a hula hoop while a sword was already halfway inside her body, a feat that left the audience both horrified and mesmerised.
Even the intermission wasn’t ordinary. Fans poured into the aisles to pose for photos with horror legends brought to life, including Michael Myers from Halloween and Ghostface from Scream, who stalked the stage with chilling precision. It was part fun, part fright, part adult humour and perfectly in step with the night’s dark carnival atmosphere. Meanwhile, dancers in eerie, sensual costumes wove their way across the stage, connecting each act with gothic choreography that added an immersive texture to the show.
Two of the evening’s biggest highlights came in the form of the trapeze artists and the Wheel of Death. The trapeze act was pure nerve-wracking brilliance as seasoned performers walked the high rope, balancing with nothing but an umbrella, and at one point pedalling a tricycle across as though it were a casual stroll. Their highlight came as one of the artists, blindfolded, walked the high wire. This last stunt had the audience clutching their seats with every wobble, each move heightening the tension.
But the Wheel of Death stole the spotlight as the show’s ultimate adrenaline rush. The massive steel apparatus spun faster and faster as daredevils sprinted, leapt, and balanced along its arms, teasing disaster with every step. Each slip and near fall drew audible gasps, while every flawless landing brought thunderous applause. It was an edge-of-your-seat spectacle at its finest, and the perfect climax to a night fueled by danger and daring.
By the finale, the Oakland crowd was on its feet, erupting in cheers for the international cast that had just carried them through a whirlwind of thrills, comedy, and horror. From Steve Copeland’s riotous underwear antics to the haunting dancers, the pint-sized vampire, the hair-hanging aerialist, the costumed dancers and the death-defying daredevils, Paranormal Cirque II proved itself as a one-of-a-kind experience that defies easy categorisation.
This isn’t just a circus, it’s a theatre of thrills, a carnival of nightmares, a cabaret of sensuality, and an adult comedy show all rolled into one. With its unapologetically adult themes, gothic styling, and fearless performances, it dares to go where few shows would ever tread. For those brave enough to step under the Big Top, it was a night of gasps, laughter, and memories that will linger, hauntingly, hilariously, and beautifully, long after the tent comes down. As a passionate vegan, I was happy to know that no animals were involved or harmed, just talented humans doing unbelievable things. This is one circus you definitely want to catch!
For more info on Paranormal Cirque II go to: www.paranormalcirque.com
For more info on Cirque Italia go to: cirqueitalia.com
