THEATRE REVIEW - Murder at the Three Ring Circus - Ellesmere Port Civic Hall Wirral

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AMT Productions is a new theatre performing their second show at Ellesmere Port Civic hall and they did not disappoint. This show went off with a BANG! Quite literally, making the audience jump as the murderer tried to burn down the circus. 

I have grown up watching many performances at the Civic Hall but this was no ordinary production. The audience were transported to the circus as they stepped into their local community centre. With circus acts performing and interacting with the audience in the bar area; traditional red and white curtains hung all around the building; hanging posters of the main acts; little stalls selling snacks, aerial performances and even the ceiling lighting matched the colour theme. This set the bar high from the very beginning and was truly an immersive experience. The queue for the bar was very long, so there needed to be more staff for the venue, as this performance was full and delayed the start time, waiting for people to take their seats.

The story, written by Bradley Bowckett, was an original script and told the story and history of the Three Ring Circus. With each character having its own backstory while following the murders, Bradley’s writing was very imaginative and touching in parts. Although I thought some of the scenes were long, each character had a purpose and a beautiful story to share. I can not believe this script was written in a month, I look forward to seeing future writing from Bradley Bowckett.

The set up and staging of this production was inspirational and inventive, I have never seen the Civic Hall used this way before. A circular performance using two stages, it was hard to know where to look, as each aspect was at a professional level. The artistic decision for staging and the vision for this production by the Director and Choreographer Abigail Bradbury, was exceptional and next level. The audience were sitting around the circus ring, inside a circus tent, when backstage announcements were made by the Stage Manager Fox (Jennifer Hough) and the performance began taking place backstage. Abigail used every part of the venue to showcase what it had to offer, using every available entrance point including under the stage, making the audience feel as if they were truly part of the Three Ring Circus. 

At the beginning it was hard to work out each of the characters but as the story unfolded it became clear. With some of the characters playing ghosts, the lighting changed to blue helping the audience know there was a ghost present. Did they meddle with the lights? The lighting by Derek Bosley was creative and had maximum effect making a powerful contribution to the rhythm of the production and was beautiful light art. The light worked perfectly with the choreography on stage. With a range of special effects, strobe lighting, flames, dragon eyes and a ballerina tutu. These magical touches drew the audience in making them gasp in awe and added a bit of sparkle that you can only really find on the stage.

Gloria Clemmings played by (Lydia Foxley) showcased her many talents on stage with her beautiful vocals. Although we could not always hear her delivery of lines on stage, her gentle presence worked well when performing alongside her son Ezra Clemmings played by (Jack Cole). 

Dorabell played by (Chloe Davies) made her presence known on stage and is not one you would forget, your eyes were always drawn to her every time she was on stage. From her outstanding acting and vocal performance to her high level dancing. She is what we like to call in the industry a triple threat, her emotional story line brought the audience to tears and so did her performance.

From the moment Raven Amana played by (Kate Harcus) stepped on stage, it was clear that the audience was in for something special. Delivering a performance that was equal parts powerful and nuanced, Kate demonstrated the kind of stage presence that draws the eye and holds it firmly in place.

The costumes for this production were creative and brought the whole circus to life. The Clowns lighting up the Civic Hall with the UV costumes were spectacular! The flame costumes and the Phoenix were also a personal favourite of mine, as was the whole musical number. The whole cast did a fantastic job and the ensemble needs acknowledging for the energy they gave on stage and the multiple quick changes. You can tell many hours have gone into this production and it was lovely to see different people performing and having an opportunity to showcase their talents instead of having your typical front row dancers. Abigail’s ability to create patterns and meaningful transitions added a purpose to the production and empowered intricate story telling.

Abigail's choreography is marked by a fluid, almost cinematic quality, seamlessly integrating ensemble and solo movement to create powerful visual storytelling. Her creative movement is deeply musical and meticulously crafted, yet always feels alive and unpredictable. The performers on stage appear to be both physically challenged and artistically fulfilled, reflecting her ability to push boundaries while nurturing expressive depth. Abigail is not just a choreographer but a storyteller who uses movement as her primary language, consistently expanding the possibilities of what dance can communicate. 

What made this production stand out from the rest was the inclusiveness. I have never seen sign language used on stage within the performance and it was breathtaking. Caterina played by (Leah Dovey-Evans) performed with such grace and beauty as the ballerina, during the family moments you could hear the audience rustling for tissues. Ballet is the language of the soul spoken through the body. With no words, it tells stories more deeply than speech ever could. Abigail’s direction and choreography must be acknowledged here, as every movement is charged with meaning, every stillness alive with emotion. The body becomes both instrument and voice; expressing love, grief, joy and longing all without a single spoken word. The silence is not empty, but full. Music and movement fill the space where language would usually live, drawing audiences into an emotional world, raw feelings made visible. It is poetry in motion, the art of saying everything while saying nothing at all.

Musical Director Laurie Waring filled the room with music and passion, each performer singing their hearts out. Sound designer Max Wilson did have his job cut out for him with so many musical numbers and sound effects but he did a fantastic job even when some cast members were not projecting. Sometimes performers rely very heavily on microphones but it is important to remember to project as some dialogue and vocals were missed.  

Other performances that stood out were Fizbop (Caitlyn Novak), a walking reminder that silliness and sincerity can go hand in hand. Reece Daniels (John Sprung-Murphy) having multiple personalities, a sense of humor with an underlying darkness. Kastan Clemmings (Matthew Maney) the true ringmaster of the circus and Jett Danger (Josh O’Sullivan) who hits the sweet spot of sleazy charm. Josh O’Sullivan multi-roled during this production and is a dynamic and versatile performer. He is highly skilled in dancing, acting, and stage combat, consistently delivering compelling multi-rolling performances with precision and depth. 

The ending of the production brought many discussions amongst the audience, some people appreciating the art of the ending while others wanting to give recognition to the performers. Art often invites a variety of interpretations, and what's important is whether the artistic decision aligns with the creator’s vision or the message they want to convey. Sometimes, artistic choices can be controversial or unconventional, but that doesn't make them "wrong." In fact, many groundbreaking artists throughout history have challenged norms and shifted how we view the world. Abigail throughout the production pushed creative boundaries, she blended bold storytelling with innovative visual language and a keen eye for detail. Abigail’s artistic ending left many audience members feeling loss and grief which was a powerful message throughout the production. “Memories are stored in objects” leaving the ringmaster hat and jacket in the ring was visionary. Abigail has redefined the art of direction with originality, passion, and purpose.

This whole production offered an exceptional evening of entertainment, brought to life by a remarkably dedicated group of individuals. Amateur is not a word I would use here. It was a shame it was only at the Civic Hall for two nights as I would have recommended a trip to this Circus. It was a true pleasure to witness the return of community theatre to the Civic Hall, celebrating the impressive talent within our local community. AMT Productions are a company worth watching, they have not been around for long but they have already made their mark. 

The production ran from 1st to 2nd May 2025.

Reviewer: Oliver Brown

On: 01/05/25