Le Cirque Arcanus Review

Needs more Wingardium Leviosa and less Waiting Aroundus

Did you know there’s a stage show inside the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe? It’s kind of mind blowing that not a lot of people talk about Le Cirque Arcanus, since Battle at the Ministry gets all the hype or guests mostly talk about The Untrainable Dragon over at the Isle of Berk.

Well, let me tell you, Le Cirque Arcanus is a fun show. It takes place inside a magical circus, where ringmaster Skender uses Newt Scamander’s suitcase (yes, the same one from the Fantastic Beasts movies). Inside the suitcase is a pocket dimension filled with all kinds of fantastic beasts. That is the name of the movies, after all.

Okay, I have never seen the movies and had to look it up, but it sounded like a fun plot and I am a big fan of circuses, so I was more than ready to check it out. Thankfully, the show did not disappoint. Let’s check it out!

What we like about Le Cirque Arcanus

The name is pretty fun and very French, for one. Thumbs up. What I really like about this attraction is the queue and the pre-show. It definitely reminds me of an old circus from the 1920s, with those quirky signs that invite guests to check out something incredible. Instead of promoting a fire-breathing giant, though, you get all sorts of wild creatures from the world of Harry Potter. It actually reminds me a lot of the art style used in the Bioshock games, especially Bioshock Infinite, for those who have played them.

The pre-show is awesome and sets up the story really well. You quickly understand that Skender now has control of the magical suitcase and plans to use the creatures inside to make his shows a big success. The pre-show combines practical effects with screens all around you, showing the kinds of beasts you can expect to see later on. It all builds up to one of the ringmaster’s employees opening the suitcase, which leads to an ape-like creature slowly emerging from it. Fun fact: the creature is actually a performer in a really well made costume, which makes the moment even more impressive.

The show itself also resembles an old-time circus performance. It feels more intimate, with a stage that is smaller than the one used in The Untrainable Dragon. It starts off with acts you might expect at any traditional circus, like acrobats dancing and a woman blowing bubbles toward the audience. The bubble magician is actually one of my favorite parts. The performer plays with the bubbles in ways I have never seen before, like juggling them and tossing them with such grace that I was genuinely impressed.

The initial presentations end with a really, really cool stage transition. I won’t spoil it too much, but it looks amazing and takes the audience inside the magical suitcase.

What we don’t like about Le Cirque Arcanus

I have to say, the part where Skender’s assistant is inside the suitcase is a bit less impressive than I was expecting. The set pieces mostly involve her interacting with puppets and screens in different ways, and not all of them land.

Honestly, I’m not a big fan of a circus relying on screens for certain tricks. Come on, we are talking about Harry Potter. Why not bring in some skilled magicians and acrobats to pull off crazy stunts that would make the students at Hogwarts jealous? Sure, you can use a few puppets and animatronics, but I would love to see more practical effects, especially with iconic spells like Wingardium Leviosa and Expelliarmus. Screens are just not very circus-like or very magical. They are just… screens.

My problem with that part is that there just isn’t much going on. There isn’t really a set piece, and the whole section feels more like a catalog of random Harry Potter creatures showing up. It feels like you're waiting around for something incredible to happen that never comes. For a Harry Potter circus, I’m expecting people casting spells, throwing knives, breathing fire, and pulling off all sorts of stunts. Not this.

Conclusion

Le Cirque Arcanus starts out strong, but it seems to run out of mana by the time it hits the midpoint. This is a show with an amazing queue and a really intimate pre-show, and I just wish the main presentation followed suit. Come on, Universal. Let’s have fewer screens and more practical effects and real magic in a circus.

Le Cirque Arcanus FAQ

Where is Le Cirque Arcanus located?

Le Cirque Arcanus is located inside the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. Want to learn more about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? Click that Request a Quote button and let’s talk!