Hull circus troupe under fire for 'insulting the dead' with Greek drama graveyard show
A CIRCUS troupe has sparked controversy over plans to stage a show in a graveyard amid claims they are insulting the dead.
A circus troupe is putting on a retelling of Orpheus' journey to the Underworld for Hull
Relatives of some of those buried there are furious Circa has been invited onto hallowed ground for the performance based on a retelling of the ancient Greek tale of Orpheus’s journey into Hades.
They say the event on May 18-21, part of Hull’s City of Culture celebrations featuring actors and gymnasts performing gravity-defying stunts to a spooky soundtrack, are causing “spiritual unrest”.
Civic leaders have already been hit with complaints that May’s sell-out show, called Depart, is insulting to the dead.
Hull rappers introduce the UK City of Culture 2017
They are messing with forces they should not mess with
Eyewitnesses have reported seeing ghostly children singing “Ring a ring a roses” at night.
There has been a flood of new sightings of a white stag, regarded as a messenger from the spirit world.
Many of the 1,000 resting in the General Cemetery, that closed to burials in 1972, are orphans and cholera victims.
The graveyard setting has received criticism from religious and civic leaders
Yorkshire vicar and author Graham Taylor said: “I think they are messing with forces they should not mess with and will get their fingers burned.”
City of Culture bosses said they had consulted with cemetery owners Hull Council and the Friends of General Cemetery and that the show would be “a beautiful and moving experience for many”.