Area 51 unleashed a zombie apocalypse on Britain’s second city as Birmingham took a hammering of Halloween horror for two consecutive years.
Thankfully, it wasn’t the apocalyptic ‘End Times’ being ushered in to wreak war, famine, pestilence and disease but yet another heavy-duty street festival full of thrills and spills for the season of the witch
The walking plague was another fine example of Area 51 spreading wild imagination and entertainment mastery in the UK’s underground clubbing scene.
A special ops brigade transformed the Rainbow Venues in Birmingham into a heartland of horror for what’s considered to be among the largest-ever events of their kind in the UK.
Delivering eye-popping décor and a huge team of entertainers to “The Haunting” happening held at the venues spread across the city’s epicentre of arts and culture, Digbeth, the venture was a huge success.
With street closures needed to help create a safe environment for revellers, this really was a large-scale spectacle for the old Celtic festival of Samhain. Area 51 despatched a myriad of street entertainers and circus acts to further enhance the amazing décor they created, including a huge haunted castle frontage and innumerable other props and visuals.
The Area 51 crew coordinated an impressive programme of entertainment inside a large big top tent that was erected in a car park and among the featured acts were Gina and Jacqueline, the Morales Sisters, courtesy of Gandey’s Circus who wowed punters with a show stealing brilliant circus double-act including an incredible globe walking routine with fire. There were many other artists involved in aerial displays, contortion, fire performances and walkabouts including stilt-walkers.
Drummer Jamie Oliver from punk band The UK Subs took to the stage to take part while Area 51 regulars Matt Lemon and Klas Tacer appeared revived Heath Ledger’s ghastly Joker character for additional creepiness.
Outstanding and extensive make up helped to ham up the horror to new heights came from a talented team that included Sonia Parra, Siobhan Harper Ryan and Joanna Strange.
During the second year of “The Haunting” Area 51 performers shone on stage alongside one of the headline acts, The Stickmen as well as mingling with large swathes of punters and, after midnight, virtually took control with an unceasing spectacle of fire and fakir performances, dancers and much more.
