One of the most wondrous experiences recently was an evening of Circus Finelli (‘Theater Review: ‘Circus Finelli’ is David Lynch approved entertainment – Nein!‘) at the infamous building at 533 Sutter Street in San Francisco. Little did I know each time I walked down the narrow path and up the stairs to SF Playhouse that there was another secret world below, in the basement of this building.
At first I was a little puzzled at the location of Stage Werkx which is the home of Circus Finelli. When I arrived, there was just a line of people waiting at a simple door. A few minutes before the starting time of the show, the door flies open and a clown greets us and directs us down a narrow set of stairs. I felt like Alice in Alice in Wonderland.
The ticket booth is occupied by a stern accordion player with a strong dictator-like accent. Along with our tickets which involved a stamp on our hands, we received a note:
“Good evening.
Welcome to Circus Finelli.
Make yourself at home.
If Mustard or Carmlita give you any trouble, please let me know and I will see to it they are punished properly.
Sincerely yours,
-Frau Bachfeifengesicht”
From there the evening unfolded in marvelously hilarious absurdity. This included one moment where Clint was on stage discovering his fate in life, “Free Beer or Slap in the Face”. Find out which one he gets in this video.
