Atomic Saloon Show | Spiegelworld at The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, 2019–Present
A raucous, adults-only Wild West variety spectacular that combines death-defying acrobatics with outrageous comedy in an immersive saloon environment. Atomic Saloon Show transports audiences to a frontier watering hole where the madame Boozy Skunkton—sporting her iconic cow-print hat and impossibly red braids—presides over a cavalcade of cowboys, showgirls, nuns, lawmen, and lay-abouts delivering what Spiegelworld calls “ridiculous comedy mayhem” and jaw-dropping physical feats.
Directed by Britain’s leading comedy and circus director Cal McCrystal (Tony Award-winning One Man, Two Guvnors, the Paddington films), the show has become a Las Vegas institution since opening at The Venetian Resort’s Grand Canal Shoppes. The 90-minute production unfolds in an intimate cabaret-style venue where audiences sit at tables, order cocktails, and become part of the action as acrobats soar overhead and comedy spills into the aisles.
Set and Costume Design Vision
takis’ integrated set and costume design creates a fully realized Wild West fantasy that feels both historically grounded and theatrically exaggerated. The immersive saloon environment features worn wooden structures, period-appropriate architectural details, and a performance space that allows for aerial work, floor acrobatics, and intimate audience interaction.
The costume design embraces the romanticized aesthetics of the American frontier while supporting extreme physical demands. Boozy Skunkton’s wardrobe alone features multiple costume changes throughout the show, from elaborate showgirl gowns with period detailing to more practical ensembles that allow for physical comedy. Cowboys wear weathered Western gear, showgirls sport saloon-style corsets and feathered accessories, and the ensemble’s varied characters each have distinct visual identities that read clearly in the intimate space.
The design balances historical silhouettes with contemporary construction techniques, ensuring costumes can withstand the rigors of nightly aerial work, acrobatic stunts, and physical comedy while maintaining the show’s visual authenticity. Warm amber, red, and purple theatrical lighting bathes the saloon in an atmospheric glow, creating the feeling of a frontier establishment lit by oil lamps and stage footlights.
Creative Team
- Director: Cal McCrystal
- Set and Costume Designer: takis
- Producers: Spiegelworld
Production Context
Atomic Saloon Show established Spiegelworld’s reputation for creating intimate, immersive theatrical experiences that blur the lines between circus, cabaret, and variety show. The production paved the way for Spiegelworld’s expansion beyond Las Vegas, including The Hook at Caesars Atlantic City, which reunited the creative team of McCrystal and takis. The show’s success demonstrates Spiegelworld’s formula of combining world-class acrobatic talent with irreverent comedy in fully-designed theatrical environments where audiences feel like participants rather than spectators.
The production continues to evolve with rotating cast members and new acts, maintaining freshness while preserving the core Wild West aesthetic and comedic sensibility that has made it a Las Vegas favorite.