The Amazing Dalmatian Euphonium Experiment

One of Wellington’s craziest ensembles, the ADEE specialised in a unique form of crowd-pleasing entertainment. The Circus of the Damned is a 100 minute show, complete with circus performers.

The band, which describes itself as the “circus orchestra” includes a variety of instruments, including batucada drummers, accordion, trumpets, clarinet, tuba, mandolin and, of course, a euphonium.

Band leader and ringmaster Wid Vella says: “Sometimes we have had more people on stage than in the audience. But that is fine. Sometimes the stage is not large enough for all the performers – that is more problematic.”

The members of the orchestra change from show to show, with a solid core of eight musicians who have been with the group from its early appearance at CubaDupa.

“We are here to astound,” says Wid Vella. “The greatest compliment anyone can pay us is to call us ‘inexplicable’!”