THE global phenomenon Circus of Horrors is set to return to Southampton next week.

After taking to the road over 22 years ago and touring all over the world, the troupe returns with its latest brand new incarnation Voodoo.

Dr Haze, the undead ringmaster and the creator of the Circus of Horrors, is joined on stage by the likes of ex tax inspector Hannibal Hellmuerto who is now a Guinness World Record-holding sword swallower and his wife Anastasia IV, a hair hanging beauty.

The spectacular, a favourite at the city’s 02 Guildhall where it returns on a week tonight, features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre and fantastic circus acts act’s all woven into a sensational shock horror story of dark magic.

It features University of Southampton psychology student Sarah Twist who auditioned to be the new pickled person after becoming a fan of the cult show. The 25-year-old from Woolston caused a stir in Guildhall Square this week as she squeezed her body into a 2ft tall bottle, 18 inches in diameter.

The latest show, expected to be enjoyed by a near 1000 capacity audience, is taken to a whole new level, driven by an original soundscape and performed with a forked tongue firmly in cheek.

Annually the Circus of Horrors plays more than 100 UK theatres and this tour has expanded to take in festivals throughout the world. It became the first UK Circus ever to perform in Russia and the show also played an astounding ten nights at London’s O2.

This is not the first time that The Circus of Horrors has created history. It became the only circus ever to reach the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and the first circus to perform in London’s West End for over 100 years.

The Circus Of Horrors’ appearances on TV shows have turned what started as a cult show into a household name. TV credits now also include The X Factor, Daybreak, This Morning, Ant & Dec and The One Show.

The Circus of Horrors started it’s gruesome beginnings at the 1995 Glastonbury Festival and became an instant hit, touring all over the world from Chile to Chatham, Argentina to Aberdeen, Japan to Jersey including festival appearances with Alice Cooper, Ermine, Motley Cure, Oasis, Iron Maiden, The Manic St Preachers, Foo Fighters and many more.

Tickets: 023 8063 2601 or academymusicgroup.com