Former Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett has confirmed that she is the face and voice behind the giant puppet in Take That's Circus Live tour. The West End star revealed the news as the band prepares to perform at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Tuesday, June 16.
Surprise Guest in the Finale
Take That's Circus Live tour has returned to the road, captivating audiences with an even more impressive revival than the 2009 original. Among the numerous surprises and additions this time round is a special guest appearance during the show's finale.
The performance kicks off with Greatest Day as Take That's present trio formation of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald emerge on stage underneath an enormous balloon. What unfolds is a two-hour spectacle of music, dance and circus entertainment from the manband.
Take That will be taking the Circus to Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, and fans can expect a surprise appearance from a well-known artist. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
The production features everything from trapeze performers, tightrope walkers and naturally that enchanting 30ft animatronic elephant that strides through the audience during the band's rendition of The Garden.
The Ringmaster Puppet
The night reaches a dramatic climax with an enormous eerie Circus Ringmaster puppet appearing on stage, cackling as bursts of flames erupt. The 'Ringmaster' bellows a message to the crowd declaring: "Ladies and Gentleman, for your entertainment the circus is filled with thrills and death-defying feats... The greatest show on earth some would say."
The voice grows deeper as it speaks of another dimension to the Circus, the "dark side" and allowing the "fire burn within you". The puppet then starts to sing: "Keep the fire burning" as the recognisable melody of Relight My Fire sounds out and the complete ensemble of performers emerge onto the stage.
Now, the individual bringing that spectacular puppet to life has been unveiled - and it's another recognisable personality. Former Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett, currently a West End performer, has confirmed to supporters that she is responsible for the enchanting moment.
Zoe Birkett's Revelation
Zoe has been appearing alongside the group on stage throughout the tour to perform the celebrated "Lulu bit" of Relight My Fire. However, numerous supporters may not have recognised until now that she was responsible for the powerful voice and striking appearance that animates the puppet.
Zoe, who received critical acclaim portraying Tina Turner in the West End Tina musical, confirmed the revelation to thrilled supporters by posting footage of her voicing the enormous puppet on social media. She wrote on Facebook: "I don't just sing it..... Face and voice of the biggest puppet this summer."
Supporters say they've been "blown away" by Zoe's standout appearance in the production. One person wrote: "Relight my fire blew me away! ! It's AWESOME! ! You are epic Zoe." Another said: "You were awesome! We thought it was you and you blew us away. Loved you since Get Happy!" One delighted fan added: "Best part of the show for me! Zoe Birkett you were amazing!"
Cardiff Show Excitement
Supporters in Cardiff are growing increasingly enthusiastic about Take That's highly anticipated return to the Welsh capital this week. The band are set to perform at the Principality Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, before heading home to Manchester for three shows starting on Friday, June 19.
For last-minute tickets for Take That in Cardiff, prices start on Ticketmaster at £71 for restricted view seats or additionally they are offering verified resale tickets. You can find more information and tickets from Ticketmaster here. There are several other options available too, and this include Viagogo, Vividseats, See Tickets, StubHub. However, fans should always bear in mind that many official sites, such as Ticketmaster and Live Nation, discourage the purchase of resale tickets from resale sites.
