The chilli chocolate circus

Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams, outside Montecasino in Johannesburg, is a truly fantabulistic, out-of-this-world experience. It’s so fresh, so original and so much fun.

From the second you walk into the giant circus-like tent, you feel yourself transported to another world. A world where bohemian rhapsody, funny hats and the abstractly bizarre all meet in a superbly harmonious dance that keeps you perpetually on the edge of your seat.

The decor is sensual and inventive with an unmistakably classical air. You feel as though you could be sitting in the middle of an 18th-century market square taking part in some sort of ancient festivity. Although the tent is quite large, probably seating about 200 people, it feels very intimate and warm, sealing you and your fellow “Zingarians” into the fantasy world.

All the tables are focused on a small circular stage. The waiters, each dressed in his or her unique costume, zoom back and forth through the room, adding to the impression of it being some sort of market square. I felt like I was getting a peek into a paranormal train station, a place where our world collides with another more magical and spectacular.

The performances are a blend of acrobatic dance, circus stunts and wildly fantastic karaoke. Each one glides effortlessly on and off the stage with its own exquisite and distinctive burst of flavour. They range from a slightly disturbing contortionist act to a magically captivating tango dance routine. Each one has you wondering what on earth the performers are up to when they step on to the stage, and leaves you totally in awe when they step off.

I have never seen theatre like this before in South Africa. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you marvel at the human capacity to create. The things that they do with a rope alone will leave you dazzled.

I personally love this kind of street performance art because it is always so fresh and inventive. It’s a mix of physical theatre and the type of circus acts you thought only existed in movies. Dripping in originality from its underground roots, these people are the real thing: a travelling band of entertainers roaming the landscape for people to dazzle and amaze.

And talking about fresh and inventive, I couldn’t think of two better words to describe the food. The deal consists of a four-course meal, the highlight undoubtedly being the chilli chocolate fillet. They describe it as “a seductive blend of dark Belgian chocolate, rosemary and a hint of chilli, over succulent beef fillet on a bed of sautéed black mushrooms and arugola”. It’s delicious! Trust me.

You can find out more detail about the Madame Zingara experience at its website . I personally feel very proud as a South African that we have something so world-class to offer, and am very pleased that the arts still have such a vibrant place in our society. To go out to the circus for the evening and be taken on a fantasy adventure is so much more enriching and magical than sitting in front of the boob tube or some 10-foot movie screen.

Our modern-day forms of entertainment are so worn, they have become a part of everyday life. There is nothing special in going out any more. It is wonderful to know that there are still fresh and exciting things being created out there in the world, and I am particularly grateful that they were happening in my home town this evening.