Shropshire Star

Dr Haze from the Circus of Horrors: I'm never without a hat – I do love my cowboy hats

Dr Haze from The Circus of Horrors tell us what makes a perfect weekend

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Hat’s the way to do it – Dr Haze from The Circus of Horrors lifts the lid on how he likes to spend his time over the weekends

It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?

It depends what I'm doing. If I'm on tour then it's work as normal, well it's not that normal. It's a pretty crazy crew and it's my job to lead them all. We work around the clock and there is always so much to do. One day just morphs into another. We can be in England one week and Scandinavia the next. No show is ever the same, it's all a bit mad but I love being on the road. If we're not touring and I'm at home it's very different. I'd be seeing my girlfriend at the weekend so that may be on my mind or I might catch up on Coronation Street or might even have an hour or two in bed to catch up on sleep lost while on tour.

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?

My girlfriend, but as she is in the Circus of Horrors when we are touring we see each other 24/7. She does an act hanging from her teeth in an Iron Jaw, she is one of only a very few people who can do this! When not on tour we only see each other at weekends so we'll be in Bournemouth, where she lives, or she'll come up to London.

How do you prepare for a big night out?

All depends what I'm doing? I never really escape the Circus of Horrors; I'm always a bit flamboyant. I wear the same outfits going to the supermarket as I would to go to the pub or a big night out. I'm never without a hat. I do love cowboy hats.

What's your favourite party outfit?

Well one of my many cowboys hats, lots of glitter and skull jewellery, I'd call myself a glam, cowboy punk!

You've just arrived at the bar, what's your first drink?

Maybe a scotch and lemonade, a drop of red wine or a shot of Samba, sometimes all at the same time.

What is your favourite night spot and why?

In my favourite pub, the Intrepid Fox in London, it's a haven for London's rockers and goths, punks and metallers alike. I feel very much at home there and you never know who might pop in. A friend of mine once got refused entry for being too smart.

It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?

I love British history so you'll find me having a stroll around a castle or somewhere like The Tower of London.

What's your most memorable weekend ever and why?

I love football so it would have to be a Championship play-off final, I'm a mad Preston North End fan and, believe it or not, we almost made it to the Premiership twice. We lost both finals but the vibe travelling to The Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff with 35,000 other PNE fans was great, really tribal. Shame it doesn't happen more often.

What's your recipe for the perfect night in?

Maybe a nice spicy pasta dish, I'm a vegetarian 'Vampire' so no animals.

Favourite DVD and what would you eat while watching it?

Well my favourite film is The Exorcist, it scared me to death when I first watched it when I was a kid. My favourite band are T-Rex so watching the Marc Bolan film Born to Boogie is another great favourite. I couldn't imagine eating anything whilst watching either of them though.

Sunday breakfast: cooked or continental?

Oh definitely cooked; fried eggs, veggie sausages, Heinz Baked Beans, mushrooms and lots of buttered toast.

Sunday lunch: home cooked or down the pub?

Either for me, despite being a veggie I love roast dinners. That's a bit on a contradiction, I know, and I much prefer it down the pub. I don't mind cooking but home cooked roasts can get very complicated and too many pans to wash up. I'd prefer to go down the pub and take my time over a long Sunday lunch.

Where and how do you like to relax?

I'm not very good at relaxing and seem to always have something to do. At home I don't watch much television other than Coronation Street and occasionally I go to watch Preston North End but that's hardly relaxing, in fact it's the complete opposite.

You have the whole weekend off and a wad of cash. Which country or city would you head to?

Oh that's easy, I'd head to the USA. I've travelled there often and just love it, especially Florida; loads to do, loads of alligators, beaches, bars and the sun is always shining.

* The Circus of Horrors will thrill fans at Ludlow Arts Festival, which runs from Friday June 21 to Sunday June 30. The unusual troupe plan to send shivers down the spine with fangtastic, dare devil and bizarre acts.

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