Circus news from
2008
26 December 2008
In 2008 7 tented circuses toured Denmark from late March/early April. 3 large circuses: Circus Arena, Circus Benneweis and Circus Dannebrog and 4 dog and pony-shows (what Americans call high grass circuses): Circus Arli, Circus Baldoni, Circus Krone (Irene Thierry’s circus using the same name as the mighty German Circus Krone) and Circus Mascot. All of the Danish circuses offered performances of high quality. Even the small circuses had some foreign performers of good quality.
The summer was rather worm and sunny. Some circus did slightly better than in 2007, some not quite as good as 2007. All circuses closed their season in September which is standard in a northern country as Denmark.
A Circus Arena unit toured Norway from 12 June to 10 August. The tour was not successful. There were often less than 100 persons in the audience. Circus Baldoni visited Faroe Island and Iceland early September after having closed the Danish season. Business was fair but not outstanding especially not at Iceland.
Some youth organisation produced circus-performances with kids as performers, using names as Circus Flik-Flak (the most established of the youth circuses), Circus Arcus and Circus Tvaers.
Two German family circuses toured Denmark: the tiny Circus Astoria spent most of the season on Funen Island visiting very small villages. The somewhat larger Circus Renz Berlin spent the entire season in Denmark touring Jutland and Funen. They left Denmark early December in order to produce Lübecker Weinachtcircus in Lübeck, Germany. However they left a small unit, Circus Amara, which presented Christmas Circus in the Danish holiday resort Blaavand at the western coast of Jutland. Neither Astoria nor Renz-Berlin had performances as strong as their Danish competitors’ performances. But using the “kid free” sale gimmick at least Renz-Berlin did attract some audience.
Circus Baldoni presented in December a Christmas circus at sport centres etc. at Zealand.
Several foreign new wave circuses or acrobat troupes visited Copenhagen during a New Wave Circus Festival in August, among those Les Colporteurs, Compagnie A&O, C!rca, Acrobat and Circo Aereo.
Benny Schumann presented during the season a number of performance either alone or together with one or two other artists. Furthermore he presented in August International clowns at the Danish amusement part ‘Bakken’ north of Copenhagen, starring Toto Chabri.
In Soren Ostergaard's Tivoli Variety theatre in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens you could meet the excellent Danish gentleman thief Kenny Quinn and Mrs. Joan, the juggler Claudius Specht and the bike acrobat Paul Chen.
Below you can find some photos and link to slideshows from some of the performances in 2008. Of cause the names of the performers are mentioned in connection with the slideshows.
Circus Arena: Arena Kids. Arena is the largest circus in the Nordic countries. Photo: Circus Arena/Christian Warrer. Click here for link to slideshow by Per Krogh Petersen with photos from equipment etc. in Circus Arena.
Circus Benneweis: The Liazeed. Photo: Circus Benneweis/Arne Magnussen. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Benneweis.
Circus Baldoni: Freddi Steckel with Thessa Daniella. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Baldoni.
Circus Dannebrog: Pablo and Victoria Garcia in their space rocket. Photo by courtesy of Circus Dannebrog. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Dannebrog.
Circus Mascot: Marianne Deleuran as white-faced clown. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Mascot.
Circus Arli: Martin dressed in a in a horn suite playing jazz and classical music on honk-horns. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Arli
Circus Krone: Duo Roswing. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the performance in Circus Krone
International clowns at ’Bakken’:Toto Chabri & Co. Click here for link to slideshow with more photos from the clown performance at ’Bakken’
21 December 2008
A circus interested Danish librarian Dan Roneklint Sorensen published last year in July a survey of museums of Circus, Artists and Showmen at http://www.cirkus-dk.dk/cirkusmuseer/
An updated version of the survey is now available. The language is Danish, German and English. The survey introduces more than 150 museums all over the world. To the extent known information is given on opening hours, email-addresses and websites. Dan Roneklint Sorensen will be very grateful for corrections, amendments and comments on his survey. Send me an email if you have any such corrections etc.
19 December 2008
Baldoni’s Christmas Circus. Per Krogh Petersen visited Circus Baldoni’s Christmas performance when they on 13 December visited Morkhoj (Copenhagen suburb). “It was a great Christmas show,” Per writes and send me this link to a lot of photos he shot during the performance.
16 December 2008
Several Danish visitors to the Monte Carlo Circus Festival. Brian ‘Briano’ Behrendt of Briano’s Circus Travels tells that 38 persons have registered for the trip he will arrange from 16 to 21 January 2009 to the famous circus festival in Monte Carlo. Briano started his circus travels in 2004. His first trip to Monte Carlo was in January 2006. Since then he has arranged successful trips to Monte Carlo every year. In 2008 he had 21 persons in his group. Several of his guests are from well-known Danish circus and acrobat families.
Based on press releases from Monte Carlo I have gathered the following info on the forthcoming festival and the performers:
The International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo will be welcoming this year 30 different acts, 10 major troupes and 6 animal acts in the famous Fontvieille ring! The price of fame for THE largest circus event! It is the one event in which all artists dream of taking part one day to establish their career. Placed under the high patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, the Festival presents the greatest acts with awards every year: gold, silver and bronze clowns. And this year, there will be 200 artists from 16 countries striving to win these true Oscars from the world of the circus!
The traditional circus will be represented with animal acts, selected in accordance with the strict criteria of the European Circus Association. Various criteria are given priority such as the living conditions of the animals, the size of their cage, their daily care and the treatment they receive.
In accordance with these criteria, the Organising Committee has decided to engage the GIONA BROTHERS (Italy) for a completely renewed presentation of horses running free. More than a presentation, the artists are involved in a real game, whose rapport with the horses seems to drive, once again, the animals’ performance. The mystical music reinforces the feeling of plenitude achieved by the Equidae.
The clown HOUSCH-MA-HOUSCH (Ukraine) will delight the audience with a number combining miming, clowning and dance.
Working on two ropes placed at a great height, tightrope artists TSIVOV will give a unique performance – including a series of 3-man pyramids – often carried out at the same time. The music inspired by melodies from Central Asia and the extremely slow movements of the figures will enable the spectators to understand the complexity of the exercises presented … and to believe in the incredible!
ELENA DROGALEVA and her troupe made up of three jugglers will offer the public a virtuoso number featuring clubs… all performed in a style largely inspired by the famous Marlene Dietrich
The Festival is pleased to be welcoming a young French artist, ROMAIN CABON, with an act involving blue ribbons, combining poetry, aesthetics and high performance in a floor show of harmony rarely equalled.
THE 7 VIVANCOS BROTHERS. In all there are 34 brothers and sisters… but only 7 of them will be performing in Fontvieille’s big top at the 33rd International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo!
And what a performance! The seven artists have managed to create an acrobatic presentation in a dazzling succession of jumps incorporating steps from Irish, Flamenco and tap dancing! And as if that weren’t enough, they also play various musical instruments! To give you a pre-taste of the number, we can tell you that River Dance has been adapted to the world of the circus and that the Vivancos will fit in perfectly with the whole show on offer at the Fontvieille big top!
But the audience will also enjoy:
FLIGHT OF PASSION, a love story based on aerial artistry by performers at the summit of a career that has led them to the world's greatest circuses for more than ten years.
KARL-FERDINAND TRUNK will present two numbers:
- the first with farm animals. Pigs, goats and dogs out to conquer the Fontvieille ring:
- the second with ponies and horses giving a performance in a décor reminiscent of a doll’s house.
Last but not least, the GRAND TROUPE OF YOUNG CHINESE ARTISTS with oscillating poles. A number full of drive where the acrobats, who seem to fear nothing whilst creating extremely complex figures, move from one pole to another with disconcerting ease. These daredevils have a medley of surprises awaiting us!
Details of the rest of this exceptional programme will be given in upcoming press releases!
According to my sources you will also meet Wolfgang Lauenburger and his dogs, Elvis Errani with his family’s elephants and Konstantin Mouraviev in his comical entrée ‘The fat man’ using a German Wheel (Rhönrad).
12 December 2008
Circus Arena 2009. By tradition Circus Arena is the first Danish circus to release the program for the coming season. The Berdino family’s good friend Kenneth Severinsen could already in August at his website www.cirkusskandinavia.dk tell about most of the program. Performers are
The comedian Barto. Photo: Circus Arenas press office
Puyang-truppen in German wheels. Photo: Circus Arenas press office
René Casselly with elephants and horses. Photo: Circus Arenas press office
Merrylu Casselly. Photo: Circus Arenas press office
9. December 2008
Welcome to Diana’s universe. Circus owner Diana Benneweis have for a while had a dream of creating her very own website. Diana’s website, not just Circus Benneweis’ website. She started working on her website some months ago. And after some problems the website is now ready for visitors. You can find it by visiting Circus Benneweis’ website and clicking at Diana’s site
You can also use a deep-link. Then the address is http://diana.kpweb.dk/
So far the site is in Danish only. Those familiar with the Danish language can read a bit about Diana and her books. And everyone – also non-Danes – can enjoy a lot of wonderful photos, especially of landscapes and from Diana’s holiday house in Sweden. Most of the photos are shot by Diana herself. Wonderful photos which will make you in a very good mood.
The site has also a blog.
Welcome to Diana’s universe. And enjoy yourself!
Diana Benneweis. Photo: Arne Magnussen
7 December 2008
Christmas in Circus is the name of a performance produced by Benny Schumann for the Frederiksberg Shopping Centre in Copenhagen. The performance runs for approximately half an hour. Santa Claus himself is ringmaster. A giant snow ball rolls into the tiny ring. Out of the snowball pop the Chrisman elf clown Benny Schumann. He entertains the many kids watching the show with balancing, magical acts and as ventriloquist. Even Santa is a magician. Benny has also the ponies Labanowsky and Shadow into the ring. Last act in the show is the fair princess Kirsten Thur on tight wire. 13 year old Kirsten Thur is daughter of John John Thur and granddaughter to the late Konrad Thur. She is presenting a very nice act promising very well for the future of the next generation of the famous Thur / Thurano family.
Santa and the Christmas elf clown Benny . Click here to se more photos from the performance.
4 December 2008
The Order of Dannebrog (Dannebrogordenen) given to Benny Berdino. On 17 November circus owner Benny Arne Berdino-Olsen of Danish Circus Arena was bestowed with one of the royal orders: the Order of Dannebrog. The Order of Dannebrog was instituted October 12th, 1671 by King Christian V, renewing an older version of the Order, which was instituted by King Valdemar II after the Battle of Reval in 1219. According to the statutes of December 1st, 1693 the Order was to consist of no more than 50 knights, but by royal decree of July 28th, 1808 King Frederik IV expanded the Order "to recognize meritorious citizenry for all subjects, regardless of position or nobility". The same day as Benny was given the Order 37 other Danes was bestowed with the same order. In total a little less than 6,000 persons are bestowed with the Order of Dannebrog. Benny is the only living circus owner who have been given the order.
Benny Berdino (no 3 from left) together with the dean of circus reporters Don Stacey, Martin Burton of Zippos Circus and Benny’s son Jackie. Photo from 2007.
1 December 2008
Circus Renz Berlin returns to Germany. The German komediant circus Renz Berlin has toured Denmark since the summer 2006. Despite sometime using a tent of approximately the same size as Danish Circus Benneweis and Circus Arena is it a family show with rather few performers and a program of lower quality than seen in the Danish circuses. They closed their 2006-season with a Christmas Circus in Copenhagen. Often there were less than 100 persons in the audience, half of them kids which did not have to pay! However Renz-Berlin stayed in Denmark touring Zealand in 2007 and Funen and Jutland in 2008. But now they are at their way back to Germany planning to visit Lübeck and Berlin.
Members of the family say that the will be back in Denmark in 2009. But let’s see. Business for Renz Berlin in Denmark has not been terrific although they love to tell about full houses.
For about a year Danish Stefan Rothmann was tour manager and sometimes even ringmaster. He has hoped that Renz Berlin would end up as a circus of the same quality as the larger Danish circuses. Stefan left Circus Renz Berlin some weeks ago. I don’t know why. He might have been disappointed with the way the Renz family runs their business.
1 December 2008‘
AFRIKA AUF DER KUHWIESE / AFRICA ON THE GRAZING FIELD OF THE COWS/ --a book on elephant-keeping and -breeding in Platschow, Germany.
Recently Bianka Boock published a book about the German elephant trainer Sonny Frankello (Christian name FRANZ FRANK). Sonny Frankello have spend several seasons with circuses in Denmark: first Circus Dannebrog, then Circus Benneweis and after that Circus Arena. Zarro Zarro has written the following review of the book.
The author, BIANKA BOOCK has published an interesting book on the above subject, 94 pages, bound as a pocket-book, good but rather small photos in black and white, they deserve a bigger size. Price about Euro 15, can be bought directly from the author, email: bib1206@aol.com
The book is written in German, but with a secondary school knowledge - it should be possible to read the book, provided the reader is interested in the topic and thus motivated.
It is a most lively, lovely and personal story, describing the project ELEFANTEN HOF - we follow the Frankello family's efforts and difficulties, leading the life of circus artists.
Happily, we also read about their successes, particularly the special events they organize and which attract a numerous public.
It is an amazing story about hard work, enthusiasm for the task and a lot of courage - crowned eventually with success.
See more: www.elefantenhof-platschow.de gør
------------------------------------reported by zarro zarro.
28 November 2008
Kenny and Joan Quinn will tour with Circus Dannebrog in 2009. Circus owner Haddy Enoch prefers himself to decide when and where details on his program for the coming season shall be released. Many other circus owners including Diana Benneweis have the same feeling. However Pegasus, a magazine for Scandinavian magicians, have now disclosed that the Danish world class gentleman thief couple Kenny and Joan Quinn will tour with Circus Dannebrog in season 2009. Kenny and Joan Quinn spend the summer season this year in Soren Ostergaard's Tivoli Variety Theatre in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens. Circus Dannebrog’s press agent (and ringmistress) Agnete Louise Enoch confirms that Kenny and Joan Quinn have been engaged for the coming season and look forward to present them to audiences all over Denmark.
In December you can meet Joan and Kenny at VARIETE STARCLUB in FULDA, Germany. Following Fulda they will go to Ravensburg in the southern part of Germany in order to participate at Ravensburger Christmas Circus from 25. 12 - 4.1.2009, In January they will be at Dinner-show BUENISSIMO. And from March to September 2009 you can meet them at Circus Dannebrog.
Joan and Kenny Quinn
27 November 2008
Benny Schumann’s Christmas in Circus. The clown and multiartist Benny Schumann will produce a Christmas performance for the Copenhagen shopping mall Frederiksberg Centre. Performers will be Benny Schumann, Peter Darger and Kirsten Thur and the ponies Laban and Shadow. 13 year old Kirsten Thur is daughter of John John Thur and Marjolien and grandchild to the late Konrad Thur who passed away a year ago. You can see the performance from 5 to 21 December, every Friday at 15 and 17 and every Saturday and Sunday at 12 and 14. Free entrance.
Kirsten Thur is the circus princess in Benny Schumann’s Christmas show
27 November 2008
Christmas circus at Rold – Katja Schumann to No Name Circus. No Name Circus has contracted Katja Schumann for the entire 2009. No Name Circus is owned by Team LA which was established in 1985 as an institution for socially handicapped young persons. As part of the project No Name Circus was established in 2005. The youngsters help with taking care of and training of the animals etc.
Circus No Name will Saturday 29 November and every Friday and Saturday in December present a Christmas performance in riding-school builded in 1912 to Circus Miehe in Rold, next to the Circus museum in Rold. Horses will of cause be presented by Katja Schumann. Zdenek Ruml from Czech Republic will juggle and play music. He has been with No Name Circus for the entire season 2008. A few years ago he was with Danish Circus Mascot for two seasons.
Katja Schumann. Photo taken in Circus Dannebrog 2008.
25 November 2008
New tent for Circus Baldoni. As earlier mentioned at this page Circus Baldoni has sold their old tent to the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. A new tent is ordered at the tent factory Raap in Hamburg. The old tent was also from Raap. The drawing below shows the new tent seen from above. As the old tent it will have a diameter of 26 meter. It will be higher than the old tent. Circus owners Thessa and René Moenster will also get new seating. The new tent and seating will probably seat 630 persons.
Recently Thessa and René have been very busy at the winter quarter at Tureby with rehearsals for all three units of Circus Nissesjov (touring kindergartens etc). The unit touring Jutland started 24 November and the two units touring Zealand on 25 November. ”It will be the strongest program we so far have presented in Circus Nissesjov”, René Moenster tells. During week-ends the two units touring Zealand is combined to Baldoni’s Christmas Circus which will have opening night in Slagelse on 28 November. You can read more at www.julecirkus.dk.
Drawing of the new Baldoni tent seen from above
23 November 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS ------ but some small but interesting shows may be difficult to find-
Here is how to find them: Look in L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES, in French but with some knowledge of the language you will manage. Look in PARISCOPE, there is info in English. Check, of course, the NET.
You will find JAN MADD THEATRE DE MAGIE DE PARIS - THEATER OF MAGIC IN PARIS - a wonderful show particularly created to entertain people who are not otherwise interested in magic entertainment.
See more: www.metamorphosis-spectacle.fr
Street performers are rather scarce today - and I feel lucky to have actively participated in the golden days of the seventies and eighties when people coming out from restaurants happily enjoyed a street show - those were the days ...
Some statistics: the average tourist spends only three days in Paris - this allows for visiting the great monuments, a museum and - perhaps - LIDO DE PARIS and the MOULIN ROUGE. Thus there remains little time for the shows mentioned above.
However - if you search -you will find -some original and interesting shows.
----------------------
comments by ZARRO ZARRO.
20 November 2008
Soren Ostergaard's Tivoli Varity Theatre on DVD. During the summer you could see the Danish comedian Soren Ostergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre at the Glass Hall Theatre in the Tivoli Gardens. Apart from Soren and two other comedians you met meet the German bicycle acrobat Paul Chen from Berlin, the Swiss juggler Claudius Specht and the Danish gentleman thief Kenny Quinn assisted by his wife Joan. Paul Chen and Claudius Specht entrées can be seen on the DVD. Kenny Quinn’s act is not included at the DVD.
17 November 2008
Salima Peippo in TV. This summer Finnish vertical rope artist Salima Peippo toured
Denmark with Circus Benneweis. Now she has been in international TV. Salima writes: Last Friday I had an honor to perform under eyes of 100 million people on a TV recording of Domino Day 2008. At the end of my act I toppled the first Domino that started a chain of over 4 300 000 dominos and ten new world records. Click here to se a video from the event.
Salima Peippo at Circus Benneweis. Photo Arne Magnussen by courtesy of Circus Benneweis
16 November 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --- CIRQUE PINDER GILBERT EDELSTEIN features every year the Dutch National Circus HERMANN RENZ, the location is Nanterre, Parisian suburb easily reached by Metro or RER/regional express train/.
During the French tour the circus is called CIRQUE JEAN RICHARD.
CIRCUS HERMANN RENZ, manager ROBERT RONDAY presents a very pleasant family show, assisted by the 8-man circus band /I don't have the name/, Ringmasters are CHRISTOPHE IVANES and CHRISTOPHE HERRY, artistic guidance ROBERT RONDAY and CHRISTOPHE ROUSSELEAU.
I had the pleasure to preview the program; the acts may be in a different order, in the final program.
MILKO STEIJVERS and FRENKY, amusing clowns with entrées and reprises
ADRIANA FOLCO, presenting her elephant BABY
OPRESCU, daring rola bola on a high pedestal
TRIO SPACE, flying trapeze
TAMARA, acrobatics in water in a round basin
MUDERACKS, lions
DUO ACROBALANCE, hand to hand acrobatics
ADRIANA and MICHAEL JARZ, high school riding
MICKAEL and VENKE, wheel of death
KIM KENNETH, THE DANE IN THE FAST LANE -- assisted by five chorus girls presents astonishing BIG ILLUSIONS - and that was a gorgeous finale!!!!
Lighting and sound GILBERT WIESER-
12 circus hands worked efficiently and promptly throughout the show.
Stay in Nanterre 1 to 14 December 2008.
See more: www.cirquepinder.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
Kim Kenneth – the Dane in the fast lane. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Pinder
Adriana Folco and her elephant Baby. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Pinder
13 November 2008
Press release from ECA: Experts discuss artistic trends in Wiesbaden
During the European Youth Circus Festival in Wiesbaden, the ECA organized a study afternoon under the topic “Artistic trends and developments in the circus”, with four speakers and about 45 visitors.
The Russian director Alexandre Grimailo described how new acts are created in his studio, often in a time and money consuming way. Therefore it is hard when other artists copy such an act, but it is difficult to take appropriate legal steps. According to Grimailo, really good acts cannot be copied when they are based upon the personality and high technical skill of the original artist. Meanwhile handstand equilibrist Eduard Gelazarov demonstrated how his act was put together during four years. Grimailo called upon circus managers to include the name of the artistic director in the printed programme, besides the artists’ names. The ECA members present wholeheartedly endorsed this suggestion for it also underlines the cultural value of circus acts.
The other speakers were Laci Endresz, artistic director and producer of the Blackpool Tower Circus, Isabella Enoch of the well-known Danish Circus Dannebrog and Ute Classen whose company is involved in “culture management”. She organizes tours especially for innovative circus forms and gives them technical and administrative support. She would like to use the term “Fresh Circus”, the European variation of the French “Nouveau Cirque”.
Trends:
Music is very important for the success of an act, but often it is badly chosen and, especially in the case of young performers, too sombre. Frequently, the staging of the acts is too dramatic whereas humour is missing. Another trend is the combination of techniques leading to so-called “Mixed Acts”, artists becoming more and more versatile. The costume is also decisive for the public appeal of an act. Cirque du Soleil inaugurated a tendency with a completely new form of costuming. In contrast to classical colourful costumes, the Nouveau Cirque made its artists perform “in T-shirts”, a trend that is now slowly reversed. The costumes of circus school graduates are still somewhat basic, whereas productions from Russia, for example, are getting nicer and nicer and Circus Roncalli has always attached great importance to elaborate costumes anyway. Dance and choreography are becoming more and more important in the circus ring, and so is theatre technology with state of the art sound and lighting systems. Another development, though not of an artistic nature but causing many problems is the increase of regulations and guidelines making circus life more and more difficult. In many cities, the traditional way of advertising via circus posters is banned and it is not so easy to find appropriate circus sites, either.
Finally, quality differences between circuses were discussed. The open European borders make it possible that circuses with a bad programme negatively influence the public appreciation of circus in a country where this art form still has a high cultural position. Maybe a licence system might prevent such dishonest competition.
Eduard Gelazarov demonstrates how his act was put together. Photo by courtesy of ECA
11 November 2008
The Danish equestrienne Susanne Berdino will in December perform at a Christmas Circus in Holland with 8 Arab horses from Circus Arena’s stables.
Suzanne Berdino with three Arabian horses. Photo from 2006
9 November 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- CHRISTMAS CIRCUS LE CIRQUE PINDER - EUROPEAN GIANT CIRCUS - NOW IN PARIS.
The CIRQUE PINDER, management and ownership GILBERT EDELSTEIN, presents a fabulous X-mas entertainment, with a real solid and pleasant program in their BIG TOP featuring:
Monsieur LOYAL - FREDERIC COLNOT who accompanies the acts with judicious and pedagogic comments.
Sacha Houcke with exotics: camels, zebras, lamas mixed with fjord horses and donkeys.
Norma and Daniel, Argentine folklore, drums and bolas.
Old Regnas, a favorite with the audience, presenting a comic act with donkey, dogs and ... many acrobatic falls!
The Formen, fantastic acrobats with hand to hand and hand to head stunts.
Spanish famous clowns Rudy Llata with a modernized version of the entrance with the washing machine - this time --- a parody based on electronics.
Sacha Houcke, now with the elephants of Cirque Pinder, very impressive and a good example of good animal training.
The Mendoza, daring trapeze artists in the flying trapeze.
FREDERIC EDELSTEIN, the only one in the world to present a mixed group of 16 lions and tigers, in a wonderful setting of colors, lights and musical background - enjoyable !!!
SOPHIE EDELSTEIN accompanied by 5 acrobatic dancers and her Big Illusions, Las Vegas style -
a breath-taking act.
Troupe Zhuk, agile acrobats on high bar.
Alona, 17, in a fantastic acrobatic-balancing act.
Navas Brothers featuring the WHEEL OF DEATH, with seldom seen stunts as salto backwards and forwards on the outside of one wheel.
An excellent evening, where organization, welcome of public and the technical side also worked well.
This is REAL CIRCUS and --- IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!!
----------------------------- REPORTED BY ZARRO ZARRO
6 November 2008
Zirkus Nemo. Here comes the complete list of performing artist at the Danish variety theatre show Zirkus Nemo which is touring theatres, concert halls until the end of February:
Soren Ostergaard, Danish actor and comedian, owner of Zirkus Nemo.
Preben Palsgaard, Danish ventriloquist. Click here to read more about Preben.
Peter Rosendahl, monobike act from Sweden. Click here to read more about Peter.
Kasper Jensen, mime, Danish, participated in the Danish version of Star Search a couple of years ago. Click here to read more about Kasper.
Wenzel Zalmov (Per Mikkelsen) run-ins. Wenzel has earlier toured with the tented version of Zirkus Nemo. Click here to read more about
Glen Nicolodi, handstand. Glen toured with Zirkus Nemo in 2007. Click here to se a video from Glen’s performance.
Susanne de Cruz and Jennifer Francois, comical trapeze from France.
The ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard in a shortie
5 November 2008
Proposal for Danish Code of Conduct for animals in circuses. In principle Danish legislation does not permit a circus to present wild animal acts. Only domestic animals are permitted. However, the Ministry of Justice can grant exemptions. And by tradition such exemptions have been granted for elephants and sealions but not for lions, tigers and other big cats. In 2003 a committee suggested that such exemptions should not be granted any longer resulting in a ban of elephants and sealions in Danish circuses.
However many Danes wanted to protect the rights of circuses and trainers to continue to present animals as part of the classical circus. And the Minster of Justice did listen to their arguments and established in March 2007 a working group and asked them to consider the matter and deliver a report.
In the working group the Danish circuses was represented first by Suzanne Berdino and later by Klaus Jochumsen (manager of Circus Arena).
The working group delivered their report with proposal for future rules on 3 November.
According to the proposal it will still be possible to present elephants and sealions in circuses in Denmark. And it will still be impossible to present bears, big cats etc.
The proposal is not unanimously as three members of the working group were in favour of a total ban of elephants and sealions in circuses. The other members saw no reason for such ban if animals can be ensured good living conditions.
Many of the working group’s proposals are in line with the ECA code of conduct.
Animals must be housed as appropriate for their species. They must be provided with protection from the weather, a clean dry stables / living area, fresh bedding, and freedom of movement within their enclosure. Suitable barriers must be in place between the public and the animals. Specific requirements are set for each specimen:
As for elephants the floor-to-ceiling height in their transport vehicle shall be no less then 3.2 meter and the floor not less than 20 square metres. When touring the elephants shall at each circus lot have access to a pen of no less than 100 square metres to be increased to 150 square metres if more than two elephants in the pen. For each elephant an elephant groom shall watch the elephant whenever it is outside the transportation vehicle.
As for sealions they shall at each circus lot have access to a basin (tank) being at least 1.2 metres deep and holding at least 50 cubic metre of water.
Also for horses, camels, dogs, birds etc. the proposal contains specific requirements.
Transportation of animals must be appropriate for the species and individuals involved. Also here specific requirements are set up.
All animal training must be based on operant conditioning and the use of positive reinforcement and repetition of desired behaviours. Training should showcase individual animals’ natural behaviours and athletics. Training must not place an animal in danger nor cause physical injury or psychological stress.
The proposal have now been submitted to circuses, animal right organisation etc. for consideration. They are all invited to give their comments by 2 December 2008. Following that the Minster and the Government will consider the proposal from the working group.
It seems likely that the final rules set out by the Parliament and the Minister of Justice will be in line with the proposal from the working group. The rules will enter into force as of 1 January 2010.
Click here to download the report from the working group (only available in Danish).
4 November 2008
Tiny German family Circus Astoria which’s entire staff consists of owner Richard Köllner and is family has spent most of season 2008 on Funen visiting small villages. Now they seem to be heading back for their native Germany. Ole Callesen meet Circus Astoria at the village Aller in the southern part of Jutland and took some photos of tent, equipment and performance. Click here to see these photos.
Circus Astoria visiting the village of Aller
3 November 2008
Arena Circusland is the name used by Danish Circus Arena when inviting the audience to visit their winter quarters at Aarslev, Slagelse. The visitors can visit the training ring, the sealion basin, working repair shops, stables with a lot of animals, a museum section, circus wagons, an area with moon bounces etc, pony and elephant riding etc. Two times every hour there are a show with sealions, horses, camels, dogs or goats.
Brian ”Briano” Behrendt and his family visited Arena Circusland on 2 November. They were welcomed by circus owner Benny Berdino and his staff and had a great day and took some photos.
Kim Benneweis with Circus Arena’s African elephants. Click here to see some more photos from Arena Circusland. Photos: Rikke Threms
3 November 2008
„People are queuing up again“ - Circus fans award Future Prize for the first time
On Saturday, October 25, the young circus director Sascha Melnjak from Kornwestheim (near Stuttgart) was awarded the Future Prize of the Gesellschaft der Circusfreunde e.V. (GCD). Two years ago, Melnjak (33) took over the well-known Zirkus Charles Knie from its founder of the same name, turning it in a short time into “one of the first circus addresses in Germany” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, August 13, 2008).
“With this distinction, we want to set a sign,” said the president of the circus fans, Helmut Grosscurth, during the award ceremony at the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart. “Sascha Melnjak presents classical circus with acrobats, clowns and many animal acts in a very attractive and modern style. With an orchestra, a show ballet and a slick moving show, his Zirkus Charles Knie faces the challenges of our times, guaranteeing best family entertainment also in future.” The appealing atmosphere in the unusual red and white tent facilities and especially circus manager Melnjak’s clever marketing strategies have contributed to the exceptionally high number of patrons: “People are queuing up again in front of the circus.”
Sascha Melnjak, who trained to be a businessman in wholesale and retail, does not perform in the ring himself, but concentrates on the management of his circus with 80 employees and 110 animals. At the very early age of six years, a visit to Circus Corty Althoff, equally at the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart, infected him with the “circus fever” he never got rid of again. Since 1992, shortly after finishing his professional training, he travelled with Circus Romanza from Stuttgart as tour manager and media representative before gaining more experience with other circuses in Germany and Switzerland. With his business partner Uwe Gehrmann, he stages the annual Christmas Circus in Heilbronn, considered to be one of the greatest and most important Christmas circus events in Europe. He rates the distinction by the circus fans as another confirmation that “people like the way we are making circus and have developed and improved this show.” He feels “even stronger motivated for the future.”
German circus art has a history of more than 200 years. About 2,000 committed circus fans are members of the Gesellschaft der Circusfreunde e.V. (GCD), ensuring the future of the circus and publishing the monthly magazine “Circus Zeitung”. With their newly created Future Prize, the circus fans want to distinguish people who give a fresh impetus to the preservation of the circus culture now and in future. After consulting their members, the board and the advisory committee of the circus fans decided about the prize by a large majority.
For more than 50 years, the Gesellschaft der Circusfreunde e.V. with about 2,000 members has been actively supporting the preservation and cultivation of the circus as part of our cultural heritage. Its monthly magazine “Circus Zeitung”, local groups and meetings all over Germany, circus rallies and swap shops all contribute to the contact among the lovers of the circus ring and to raise public interest in this popular form of entertainment.
mid the show ballet of Zirkus Charles Knie: Young circus manager Sascha Melnjak (centre) has been awarded the first Future Prize of the Gesellschaft der Circusfreunde e. V., represented by its president Helmut Grosscurth and vice president Ulf Körber (left).
3 November 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS and now the Christmas circuses are coming.
From Paris the Swedish magician Zarro Zarro who has lived in Paris for many years writes:
PARIS is incontestably the very circus city in Europe - only here can you see about six circus shows for X-mas, and for the rest of the year you have two permanent Big Tops and others do come every now and then.
NOW: CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE presents the show ETOILES.
We saw:
Program presented by ALBERTO CAROLI and SERGIO - who else?
Circus Band conducted by PIERRE NOUVEAU, including on top of the percussion, brass and piano -- violin and cello, very original.
The circus ballet THE SALTO DANCERS, eight beautiful dancers in a stunning choreography, underlined the show effects of the acts.
The Acts:
Hans Ludwig Suppmeier with his tigers, one of them all white, not an albino but a rare species.
Tito Medina, clown with several funny entrées.
Natalia Kuznetsova, swinging trapeze, featuring stunning tricks which necessitate a safety line.
Duet Blues, clowns from Russia, also featuring an original juggling act with red basins instead of rings.
Boris Nikishkin, balancing acrobatic act in a very original setting.
Alesya Gulevich, hula hoop - the best I ever saw, she also is an accomplished acrobatic dancer.
Regina and Joseph Bouglione, cavalry.
Valentino Togni-Bouglione and Dimitri Bouglione, horses - and beautiful ones at that-
two Bouglione children, 7 and 9 years presented a white pony - with great success.
Bull Dancers, flying trapeze with extraordinary tricks on two levels of height.
Sampion Bouglione JR, accomplished juggler and tap dancer.
Vladislav Olandar, entered the ring on a uni-cycle and with a gorgeous white car on his shoulders - this was the start of a funny and appealing act with performing cats.
He was nicely assisted by his elegant partner.
To my mind, this act in itself was worth the ticket price ---- fantastic !!!!
Bladders, acrobats on rollers, sliding up and down an inclined, special structure, never seen before.
The Monastyrsky, Russian quick change act - marvelous and stunning-
The show is presented in the newly re-furbished CIRQUE D'HIVER, rue Amelie, easy to get to by metro or bus.
Read more on http://www.cirquedhiver.com/bouglione.html
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!!!!!! Reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
31 October 2008
Soren Ostergaard will stage Circus Arena’s 2009 performance. Until 2007 it was Suzanne Berdino who staged Circus Arena’s performance. For 2009 Circus Arena has engaged the Danish comedian Soren Ostergaard to stage the show.
26. October 2008
Variety Trapeze - Solund, 25 October. Isaballa Enoch and Bernhard Kaselowski are during the winter season producing a number of dinner shows in their beautifully decorated variety theatre tent. Performers at a very good show in Solund on 25 October was the Danish entertainer John Batz, The Melanie Girls (show dancers), The Peris (roller skates), Paul Chen (juggler and bike acrobat) and Elena and Ingo (aerial ring, tücher and a adagio entrée), Katja Enoch and Bernhard and his elephant Rambo.
Elane and Ingo. Photo from February 2008.
26 October 2008
Zirkus Nemo. On 24 October I could tell that talented hand stand acrobat Glen Nicolodi with his tiny dog as assistant from November to end of February 2009 would tour theatres, concert halls all over Denmark as part of the Danish comedian Soren Ostergaard’s variety theatre show Zirkus Nemo. Other artists touring with the Zirkus Nemo show are the Danish ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard, the Swedish born monobike acrobat Peter Rosendahl¸ who is called ”the fastest man on one wheel” and the French magician and comedian Otto Wessely. There might also be a juggler on tour with the show.
24 October 2008
Got Talent 2008. Got Talent 2008 (in Danish Talent 2008) is the Danish version of the popular television show Got Talent. The live final was broadcasted tonight. Among the participants was the 16 year old contortionist Merrylou Casselly. She was dressed as Pocahontas and the music was Colors of the Wind. Part of her entrée using her feet to hold a bow and arrow, fires and bursts a balloon dead centre was clearly inspired by bronze clown awarded Elayne Kramer from this year’s Monte Carlo Circus Festival. However winner of the competition was two dancers The Robot Boys with another dancer and a singer as number two and number three. However, through the show Merrylou have become both well-known and popular in Denmark and it seems likely that circus owner Benny Berdino of Circus Arena will present her contortion act in Circus Arena in 2009. Merrylou Casselly and her parents René and Alexia Casselly have worked for Benny Berdino since 2004. Marrylou presented first time a contortion entrée in 2004 in the Berdino produced Circus Bonbon. In 2006 she presented her spectacular Little Mermaid entrée in Circus Arena which that year presented a water spectacle.
Marylou Casselly at Circus Arena 2006
24 October 2008
Zirkus Nemo is not a circus but a variety theatre show starring the Danish comedian Soren Ostergaard and some real artist. This summer the show was presented in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens as Soren Ostergaard's Tivoli Varity Theatre. From 2 November to 26 February another version of the show will tour theatres, concert halls etc. in Denmark. In most of the show you can apart from Soren Ostergard meet the talented hand stand acrobat Glen Nicolodi with his tiny dog as assistant. For the time being Glen Nicolodi is on tour with Finnish Circus Finlandia which does not close the season until 2 November. Due to this you will in stead of Glenn at the dress rehearsals 31 October and 1 November and at the opening night 2 November meet the Danish gentleman thief Kenny Quinn. During the summer season Kenny and his wife Joan was a very successful star attraction at Soren Ostergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre. Kenny will also back up for Glen at a few other dates in November.
I have so far no information which artist you apart from Glenn Nicolodi/Kenny Quinn can meet at the show.
23 October 2008
New wave circus: Sisyphus Ascending. From 23 October to 5 November you can at the Copenhagen Theatre Kaleidoskop see the performance ’Sisyphus Ascending’ starring the Danish new wave circus artist Lars Gregersen. It is a modern tale about conquering the monotony of repetition. ’Sisyphus Ascending’ is a modern stageart. A solo performance that has elements of theatre, circus techniques, dance and live music, all brought together to express a special vision of the myth of Sisyphus. After Copenhagen the performance will tour Denmark and hopefully also other countries. Click here to read more.
22 October 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- CIRCUS AND MAGIC -- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
The big season has just started in October - mainly with a festival of New Circus which I was unable to see, being in Sweden and mostly Denmark. However, looking at the program - there were interesting shows, and of particular interest to see if they succeeded in combining circus and theatre
The shows took place at the PELOUSE DE REUILLY, where the traditional Christmas circuses start in November.
In France there still exist a number of small family circuses, where the program is presented and performed by the whole family. I saw the CIRQUE LOYAL, probably the oldest one, direction/manager CLEMENT LOYAL whose name has come to represent THE RINGMASTER - so there is a MONSIEUR LOYAL in nearly every French circus
This is a popular cultural phenomenon, certainly no sensations on the program but a very good entertainment allowing three generations to enjoy a nice and pleasant show including acrobats, jugglers, clowns and trained animals: horses, dogs, cats, goats, exotic animals: zebras, camels, llamas, - and sometimes a small group of tigers or lions, sometimes only one of them.
Now - these circuses have to be allowed a play-ground in the centre of town, to allow everybody about the same walking distance, if not - some people will not turn up, judging the distance too long to come there with small children.
It seems that this popular entertainment should be encouraged in every possible way - but alas - the locations are too often on the outskirts of town and the rent far too high.
I was told that some people, introducing themselves as "reporters" and after having got free tickets, indulged in bad and untrue reports, both concerning circus in general and particularly the keeping of animals. These circus people are on tour all the year around, and they have neither a postal address nor email - so they are unable to defend themselves. I would call this a stab in the back - and it certainly is a case for the ECA- president Mr ARI OUDENES to look into this issue.
Let us hope that this kind of good, healthy entertainment will long live and prosper !!!!!!
Reports later will include MAGIC SHOWS of which there is a number.
23 October 2008
Successful International ECA Meeting in Warsaw
I have received the following press release in English, German and French. And since I have some visitors who have German or French as their native tongue please find the press release in all three languages:
A really international group came together during the ECA meeting in Warsaw on October 11, 2008, in conjunction with the 10th Circus Festival organized by Cyrk Zalewski. Host of this meeting was Zwiazek Pracodawców of Cyrku I Rozrywki (ZPR), the Polish circus association.
Among the guests at the magnificent Palac Prymasowski, the former bishops’ palace, were circus directors from Poland, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Denmark, Hungary and Russia. Special guests were Jerzy Wenderlich, the vice-chairman of the culture and media committee of the Polish Parliament, and Zbigniew Krzywicki, a Polish veterinarian specialized in circus animals.
Stanislaw Zalewski, the chairman of ZPR, welcomed the participants. Most attention was devoted to the topic “Animals in the circus”. The Polish regulations for circus animals are very strict; thus it is stipulated for each species which tricks may be performed. It remained unclear if the Polish authorities apply the EU transport regulation for animals also to circus animals. ECA pointed out that circuses are excluded from this regulation. The EU passport for animals has been well elaborated and introduced in Poland.
Furthermore the organization of the European Circus Day was discussed. Next year, Polish circuses will also take part in it.
Members from other countries reported again that animal rights groups exert more and more pressure on circuses. Thus, Urs Pilz reported that PETA has started a complete campaign with flyers, DVDs and letters to prominent German citizens.
In order to stand up against such activities, it is important that ECA becomes more and more widely known with politicians and media as the European representative of the circus industry. Zalewski called upon all circuses to help by printing the ECA logo on their posters and in their programmes.
The European Circus Association represents the European circuses to authorities and the general public. The ECA wants to promote circus art and culture and to protect this important part of our common cultural heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president and artistic director of the International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all renowned European circuses are members of the ECA.
Gut besuchtes ECA-Treffen in Warschau
Eine wahrhaft internationale Gesellschaft versammelte sich am 11. Oktober 2008 in Warschau zu einem ECA-Treffen in Zusammenarbeit mit dem 10. vom Cyrk Zalewski organisierten dortigen Zirkusfestival. Gastgeber dieser Zusammenkunft war Zwiazek Pracodawców von der polnischen Zirkusvereinigung Cyrku i Rozrywki (ZPR).
Zirkusdirektoren aus Polen, Norwegen, Spanien, den Niederlanden, Deutschland, Frankreich, Dänemark, Ungarn und Russland konnten in dem prachtvollen Palac Prymasowski, dem ehemaligen Bischofspalast, begrüßt werden. Ehrengäste waren Jerzy Wenderlich, der stellvertretende Vorsitzende des Kultur- und Medienausschusses des polnischen Parlaments, sowie Zbigniew Krzywicki, ein auf Zirkusse spezialisierter polnischer Tierarzt.
Stanislaw Zalewski begrüßte als Vorsitzender der ZPR die Teilnehmer. Am meisten Aufmerksamkeit wurde dem Thema “Tiere im Zirkus” geschenkt. In Polen gehen die Vorschriften für Zirkustiere sehr weit; so ist für jede Tierart sogar genau festgelegt, welche Tricks ausgeführt werden dürfen. Nicht deutlich wurde, ob die polnischen Behörden die EU-Vorschriften für Tiertransporte auch auf Zirkusse anwenden. Die ECA betonte, dass Zirkusse von dieser Regelung ausgeschlossen sind. Die EU-weite Vorschrift über den Tierpass ist in Polen erfolgreich eingeführt worden.
Außerdem wurde über die Organisation des Europäischen Zirkustages gesprochen, an dem sich im kommenden Jahr auch polnische Zirkusse beteiligen wollen.
Mitglieder aus anderen Ländern haben erneut unterstrichen, dass der Druck von Tierrechtlern auf Zirkusse weiterhin zunimmt. So berichtete Urs Pilz, dass PETA eine umfangreiche Kampagne mit Flyern, DVDs und Briefen an prominente deutsche Staatsbürger begonnen hat.
Um sich dagegen wehren zu können, ist es wichtig, dass die ECA als europäischer Vertreter der Zirkusbranche bei Politikern und Medien noch bekannter wird. Zalewski rief alle Zirkusse dazu auf, sich daran zu beteiligen, indem sie das ECA-Logo auf ihren Plakaten und in ihren Programmheften abdrucken.
Die European Circus Association vertritt die Zirkusunternehmen Europas gegenüber Behörden und Öffentlichkeit. Sie will die Zirkuskunst und –kultur fördern und diesen wichtigen Teil unseres gemeinsamen kulturellen Erbes schützen. Der ECA-Vorsitzende Urs Pilz ist Vizepräsident und artistischer Direktor des Internationalen Zirkusfestivals in Monte Carlo. Zu den Mitgliedern zählen fast alle namhaften Zirkusunternehmen Europas.
Succès pour rencontre internationale de l’ECA à Varsovie
Des participants internationaux se sont réunis lors d’une rencontre de l’ECA le 11 octobre 2008 à Varsovie en coopération avec le 10e Festival du Cirque organisé par le Cyrk Zalewski. L’hôte de cette réunion était Zwiazek Pracodawców de Cyrku i Rozrywki (ZPR), l’association polonaise de cirques.
Au magnifique Palac Prymasowski, un ancien palais épiscopal, on a vu des directeurs de cirque de Pologne, de Norvège, d’Espagne, des Pays-Bas, d’Allemagne, de France, du Danemark, de Hongrie et de Russie. Des invités spéciaux étaient Jerzy Wenderlich, le vice-président du comité de la culture et des médias du parlement polonais, et Zbigniew Krzywicki, un vétérinaire polonais spécialisé dans les cirques.
Stanislaw Zalewski, président de ZPR, a souhaité la bienvenue aux participants. Les animaux au cirque étaient le thème central. Les règlements pour les animaux sont très stricts en Pologne; ainsi, il est précisément stipulé pour chaque espèce ce que les animaux peuvent apprendre. Il n’est pas devenu clair si les autorités polonaises appliquent les règlements de transport pour animaux de l’UE également aux cirques. L’ECA a souligné que les cirques sont exclus de cette directive. Le passeport animalier de l’UE a été bien introduit en Pologne.
En plus, on a parlé de l’organisation de la Journée Européenne du Cirque. En 2009, des cirques polonais y participeront également.
Des membres d’autres pays ont une fois de plus souligné que la pression par les activistes animaliers sur les cirques continue à accroître. Ainsi, Urs Pilz a raconté que PETA vient d’entamer une campagne complète avec des dépliants, des DVD et des lettres à des personnalités allemandes.
Pour se défendre contre de telles activités, il est important que l’ECA devienne de plus en plus connu auprès des hommes politiques et des médias comme représentante européenne du cirque. Zalewski a invité tous les cirques à y contribuer en imprimant le logo de l’ECA sur leurs affiches et dans leurs programmes.
La European Circus Association représente les cirques européens vis à vis des autorités et en public. Elle veut promouvoir l’art et la culture du cirque et protéger cette partie importante de notre héritage culturel. Urs Pilz, le président de l’ECA, est le vice président et directeur artistique du Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo. Presque tous les cirques renommés d’Europe sont membres de l’ECA.
From the ECA-meeting in Warsaw. To the far left you can see the Danish agent Jörgen Börsch
21 October 2008
WINNERS OF THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL “City of Latina”
LATINA OF GOLD
LATINA OF SILVER
LATINA OF BRONZE
MEDALS GIVEN BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
So far we have as far as I know not seen any of the winners in a Nordic circus.
20 October 2008
Benny Schumann’s Mini Circus had during the school children’s autumn holiday in week 42 seventeen very well visited performance in the Copenhagen shopping mall Frederiksberg Centre. The audience (mainly kids with parents or grandparents) enjoyed seeing Benny as Elvis (using an inflatable body suit), as tight wire acrobat and as ventriloquist. They also enjoyed Wolfgang Lauenburger's wonderful dog show. I believe that 36-year old Wolfgang Lauenbuerger has a fair chance to be awarded a clown of bronze or silver when he in January participates in the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo. Next year the Swedes can look forward to meet him at Swedish Circus Maximum being the leading circus in Sweden. – The shop owners at Frederiksberg Centre were very pleased by having Benny Schumann and his mini circus as free attraction. He has already been engaged for a Christmas performance called Christmas in Circus which can be seen in December at the Frederiksberg Centre.
Benny Schumann with one of his many fans (by he mind my oldest grandchild Liva) Click here to se s slideshow with photos from the performance.
17 October 2008
In even years the EUROPEAN YOUTH CIRCUS FESTIVAL takes place in Wiesbaden in Germany. The festival is known as an excellent place to spot young talents with star quality. This year the festival will take place from 30 October to 2 November. Among the participants are the Danish bike acrobats The Haddie's Jr. Jr., alias Jimmy Enoch and his cousin Edward Enoch. Both are grandchildren of circus owner Haddy Enoch of Circus Dannebrog. In his younger days Haddy and his wife Solvej presented an excellent bike act called The Haddies.
Apart from The Haddie's Jr. Jr. the participants in the festival will be
DEUTSCHLAND
Alina Ruppel Kontorsion
Lili & Jessica Ruppel Handstandequilibristik
Duo Elja Trapez
Nicolai Kuntz Schwungtrapez
Chris Kiliano Strapaten
FINNLAND
Kimmo Hietanen Schlappseil
Lotta & Stina Rola-Rola / Partnerakrobatik
Tiina Tuomisto Hula-Hoops
FRANKREICH
Agathe Tixier Strickleiter
Jeanne Durand Raucher Handstandequilibristik
Polinde Luftakrobatik
Duo Handz’up Hand-auf-Hand Akrobatik
LETTLAND
Olga Guseva Vertikalseil
ÖSTERREICH
Richard Kahlig Jonglage
RUSSLAND
Acro Angels Akrobatik
Maria Sarach Kontorsion
Alexey Goloborodko Kontorsion
Veronika Teslenko Strapaten
Dolls Akrobatik
SCHWEDEN
Mira & Esmeralda Trapez
SCHWEIZ
Jonas Egli &
Konrad Utzinger Diabolo
SPANIEN
Rony Gómez Jonglage
The participant from Latvia Olga Guseva is well-known to the audiences in Denmark: in 2005 she toured with Circus Baldoni and in 2007 and 2008 with Circus Arli. Recently she has been at Greenland with Circus Arena.
Olga Guseva in vertical rope. Photo from Circus Arli 2007
17 October 2008
At Kolding Storcenter you could from 13 to 16 October meet the clown Jimmi Folco, the acrobat Olga Guseva, horses from Circus Arena’s stables and Martin Arli dressed in a in a horn suite playing jazz and classical music on honk-horns. On 17 and 18 October the artist will arrange work shops for the kids. The performance was produced by Circus Arena.
14 October 2008
Awards to Paulina Schumann. The famous now retired equestrienne Paulina Schumann has been awarded two awards: On 15 October she will receive Medallas de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes from the Spanish King and on 25 October she will receive Premi Nacional de Circ 2008. Paulina Schumann was born in 1921. Her father was the famous clown Charlie Rivel.
Paulina Schumann
2 October 2008
More about circus in week 42. 25 September I wrote about circuses in Q 4. Here is some additional information: Circus Kenny at the Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense has their opening night Friday 10 October. There are also performances on 11 October and from 13 to 18 October.
Circus Charlie will also be in Odense from 10 to 18 October as part of the child welfare days Funnydays event.
Circus Mascot will present short performances as free attraction at Bilka Super Market in Holstebro from 13 to 18 October. They will put up their tent at the parking lot. Apart from members of the Deleuran family you can meet the Danish clown Don Carlos (Mogens Koelmeyer).
You can find further information on those and other circus performances during the autumn at What's on.
At Circus Mascot you can meet the clown Don Carlos
1 October 2008
Circus Arena at Greenland. It is a tradition for Circus Arna to visit Greenland in the autumn with a special performance. This year the visit takes place in week 40. Performers are Nicky Viva blowing soap bubbles, Olga Guseva with an arial act, Betina Arli with hair hanging, the 14 year old juggler Oliver Berdino (Circus owner Benny Berdino’s grandson), the clown Jimmi Folco, the musical entertainer Martin Arli, Karsten Simmert with a comical acrobat act, Nicki with a balancing act, the Danish clown Bonbon and the magician Pjerrot (Ib Groth Rasmussen). The performance runs for 2 hours. Ringmaster is circus owner Benny Berdino.
Circus Arena will visit Ilulisat on 30 September, Aaiaat on 1 October, Sisimiut on 2 October, Maniitsoq on 3 October amd Nuuk on 5 October.
1 October 2008
Renovation of the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. Due to renovation the museum will be closed from week 43 and until mid February 2009.
The Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen
1 October 2008
International clowns at Bakken in 2009. The festival International Clowns took part from 16 to 22 August at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen. It was a success and Bakken have asked producer Benny Schumann to produce a similar show in august 2009.
25 September 2008
Circus in Q 4. When tiny Circus Mascot on 30 September closes their season at Thiese in the northern part of Jutland all the Danish circuses have closed season 2008. Two of them have during part of the season toured outside Denmark. Circus Arena had a unit touring Norway and has also visited Greenland. Circus Baldoni closed the season by visiting the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
However end of summer season does not mean the Danes can’t se circus until March 2009.
By tradition several shopping malls offer short circus performances as free attraction during the school children’s autumn holiday in week 42.
By far the largest of those autumn productions is Circus Kenny produced by Haddy Enoch (Circus Dannebrog) for the large Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense. This year you can meet Paul Chen with his bike act and with a juggling entrée. Furthermore you can meet Duo Peris from England/Spain with a roller skate act and an entrée with gradually inflating body suits. Last but not least you will meet Hans Petersen and his sealions.
At the Frederiksberg Shopping Centre in Copenhagen you can meet Benny Schumann’s Mini Circus which apart from Benny himself presents one of my favourite dog acts: Wolfgang Lauenburger and his dogs. Wolfgang and his dogs will be among the stars presented at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival in January 2009.
At the shopping centre in Kolding, Jutland, you can see a performance produced by Circus Arena.
Circus Krone will visit a number of sport centres in the northern part of Jutland with a short autumn performance. The tiny circus will visit Aalborg, Dronninglund, Hjallerup, Frederikshavn, Vodskov, Sæby, Brønderslev, Læsø and Ryslinge.
Close to Slagelse at Zealand you can visit Arena Circusland at Circus Arenas winter quarter at Aarslev, Slagelse.
Circus Mascot will from 27 October to 2 November perform at the shopping mall Bytorv Horsens at Horsens, Jutland.
Late November Baldoni’s Christmas Circus will start their season performing at sport centres etc. at Zealand. René and Thessa Mönster will also put three units of Circus Nissesjov on tour. The Nissesjov units are mainly performing for children in kindergartens etc. and all performances are sold performances. A unit in Jutland will be presented by Martin Maiböll and Tonni Tips. Apart from Martin and Tony you will meet Duo Monro´s with juggling and handstand. The duo, whose name sometimes is spelled Monroe, has this summer toured with Circus Rhodin in Sweden. At Zealand there will be two units of Circus Nissesjov who jointly together in the week-ends will perform as Baldoni’s Christmas Circus. In one of the units you will meet the Varadi-family who toured with Baldoni this summer with dogs, juggling and plate spinning. Furthermore you will meet Diana Varadi's sister Eva Varadi making hula hoop and foot juggling. She toured with Danish Circus Krone in season 2007. The other unit will star a family from Czech with juggling, rola bola and an arial act. At Baldoni’s Christmas circus you will meet Thessa and Danilo as teasing elks and René as Father Christmas, assisted by his ventriloquist doll Anton Antonius.
Also Circus Krone will produce a Christmas circus from 24 November to 21 December.
At Circus Kenny you can among other artist meet Duo Peris. Photo fro Swedish Circus Olympia 2006.
At Baldoni’s Christmas Circus and in one unit of Circus Nissesjov you can among other artist meet the foot juggler Eva Varadi. Photo from Circus Krone’s 2007-performance
19 September 2008
Got Talent 2008. Got Talent (In Danish Talent) is the Danish version of the popular television show Got Talent. During the first 5 shows 4 acrobats was permitted to continue in the competition: the bike acrobats Jimmy and Edward Enoch, the contortionist Marylou Casselly and the male hula hoop acrobat Lasse Knattrup Sorensen. The two Enoch cousins and Marylou Casselly are professional acrobats who have performed in many countries. Lasse Knattrup Sorensen is a non-professional. He is 24 year year old and is studying German and Spanish at Aalborg University. During the show tonight the judges decided to that they would like to see Marylou Casselly and Lasse Knattrup Sorensen in the semi-finals. The two Enochs are out of the competition.
Lasse Knattrup Sorensen has told me that his great idol is Yelena Larkina. However, he was also very impressed when he in 2005 in Circus Benneweis saw Anton Monastyrsky and could see that hula hoop not only was for girls. Nice that also a non-professional acrobat could continue in the competition.
Lasse Knattrup Sorensen
19 September 2008
When the Enoch family on 21 September has the last performance this year in Circus Dannebrog they will only get 3 weeks off before they have another production: By tradition circus owner Haddy Enoch produces at the Rosengaard Shopping Centre at Odense Circus Kenny during the school kids autumn holiday. Amongst the performers this year is the German bike acrobat Paul Chen from Berlin. Since early June Paul Chen has performed at the Tivoli Variety Theatre in Copenhagen with his elegant bike act. In week 42 it is the people of Odense who can enjoy meeting the talented young artist.
After Odense Paul Chen goes to Rügen in the northern part of Germany to participate in a Christmas show until 31 December 2008. For the first two months in 2009 he will be at the APOLLO VARIETÉ in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Paul Chen – now at the Tivoli Gardens but soon in Odense
19 September 2008
Joan and Kenny Quinn, Danish world class gentleman thieves, tells that they have had a wonderful summer season in Tivoli where they have been part of Soren Ostergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre at Glass Hall Theatre in the Tivoli Gardens. Last performance will be 20 September as Tivoli close the summer season. In December you can meet Joan and Kenny at VARIETE STARCLUB in FULDA, Germany. Following Fulda they will go to Ravensburg in the southern part of Germany in order to participate at Ravensburger Christmas Circus from 25. 12 - 4.1.2009, see more at www.weihnachtscircus-rv.de. In January they will be at Dinner-show BUENISSIMO, see more at www.buenissimo-show.de.”
Joan and Kenny Quinn
16. september 2008
New tent to the Circus Museum at Hvidovre. Copenhagen. It has been known for a while that Danish Circus Baldoni was negotiating with the Circus Museum regarding the museum’s purchase of Baldoni’s tent. The museum has now confirmed that a deal is signed. The tent will be used by the Hvidovre youth circus Circus Arcus and by the museum itself for special purposes. It is a 4 pole tent from 2006 with a diameter of 26 meter. With the Baldoni seating it seated 600 persons. However stringers and floor seats are not part of the deal. René and Thessa Moenster of Circus Baldiní will purchase a new tent for their circus for 2009. They might also get new seating.
From 2006 to 2008 Circus Baldoni. From 2009: Circus Arcus and special arrangements at the Circus Museum. Photo: Per Krogh Petersen
12 September 2008
Bjoern Schult-Bjoernlys can celebrate his 60 years birthday. Hans Vedel writes: On 13 September the talented German social education worker and animal trainer Bjoern Schult-Bjoernlys reach sixty. Deep in his heart he had hoped that the birthday could be celebrated in the ring at No Name Circus at Solbjerg where he since 2005 has done a great job. He had hoped to end his career by creating a small but good circus in the Northern part of Jutland but has to realise that dreams not always come through. However life goes on. Bjoern and his girlfriend Michaela will stay in Denmark. They have just bought a nice house and Bjoern is back with his favourite job: to trains animals and to help young persons with social problems. With the photo below from season closing 2007 at No Name where my child, my grandchild and my great grandchild says hallo to Bjoern, one third of his pig act and Erling Bøgh I wish Bjoern a happy birthday and many goods years.
12 September 2008
Benny Berdino purchase equipment from another foreign show. A couple of years ago Benny Berdino of Danish Circus Arena bought the entire equipment from Austrian Circus Althoff Jacobi. He kept some of the equipment but a good part was sold with a probably nice profit to Mr. Berdino. For some weeks it has been known that he was negotiating another deal from a member of the Knie family. Someone guessed that it could be Louis Knie Junior Circus Nationale or Österreichischer Nationalcircus Louis Knie. Probably with members of the Berdino family as source Kenneth Severinsen tells at his website that it is the Circus Salta Natale which Benny Berdino has bought from Gregory and Rolf Knie. Rolf Knie (born 1949) and his son Gregory (Born 1977) established Circus Salda Natale as a winter circus in 2002. Read more about Rolf Knie at http://www.rolfknie.ch/main.php
9 September 2008
First night for Martis Brothers at Benneweis. As mentioned on this page on 7 September the young Italian Martis Brothers will from 9 to 14 September replace Liazeed in this year’s performance at Danish Circus Benneweis. The audience was very pleased with the two young super talents when they on 9 September 2008 first time ever performed in Denmark.
Martis Brothers. Click here to see more photos from their performance
8 September 2008
With approximately 1,000 visitors in the tent Circus Arena closed season 2008 on 7 September in Koge. This year Circus Arena has visited 107 towns all over Denmark and given 197 performances. It is undoubtedly that Circus Arena has a larger audience than any of their competitors. They are selling a lot of tickets to firms and have a much higher advertisement budget than any of their competitors. Immediately after the performance the tent was pulled down and together with other equipment taken to Holland where it from 10 September shall be used for at festival. It is part of Benny Berdino’s business concept to try to use as much of the equipment as possible during the entire year and not just durig the summer season in Denmark.
Arena Circusland in the winter quarter at Slagelse will open the doors for the public every week-end from 11 October to 22 February 2009.
One of the top acts at Arena in 2008 were Kong Haitao and Fang Lili.
7 September 2008
The Liazeed is replaced by Martis Brothers. From 9 to 14 September the young and talented Italian Martis Brothers will replace Liazeed in this year’s performance at Circus Benneweis. Benneweis is for the time being in Copenhagen where they will close season 2008 in Copenhagen on 14 September.
The Liazeed comes from Jamaica and consists of father and daughter, Omar and Zaida Liazeed, and Zaida’s fiancé Francisco who is from Cuba. Francisco joined the act a couple of years ago. Since first developing their hand balancing act in Spain in 1980 Omar Liazeed and his daughter Zaida have toured most of the world. Zaida is born in 1970, In 1984 she was awarded Best Young Talent of the Year. Now she is 38 and Omar has turned sixty. They are still doing a great act. But to perform a great handstand act is not as easy as when they were younger. On 27 July Zaida had a bad accident: During the trick when her father walks around carrying Zaida upside down in his hand she fell down and hit the ring with her shoulder. Luckily enough nothing was broken but her shoulder was strained and she was unable to work for at while. Now this trick has been taken out of their act. At Circus Benneweis’ opening night in Copenhagen on 5 September it looked at bit as Omar is preparing to leave the act. Some of the tricks performed by Omar at seasons opening in March were now done by Francisco. My guess is that Omar will leave the act which then can continue for some years with Zaida and Francisco. They might in the future prefer jobs at galas and variety theatres for the physical more demanding tour with a travelling circus.
Some weeks ago the Liazeed asked Diana Benneweis for permission to stop some days before close of season as the wanted a short holiday before their next engagement.
As a replacement Diana Benneweis has managed to engage two young, good-looking and super talented Italians: Martis Brothers who during season 2008 has carried the audience at Norwegian Circus Merino away. Circus Merano is closing season 2008 in Oslo on 7 September. From 9 to 14 September you can meet the two young super talents and rising stars at Circus Benneweis in Copenhagen.
2 September 2008
Broad Support for the European Circus Association. ECA has send out the following press release:
The field of activities of the European Circus Association, ECA, is getting larger and larger and thus also more and more expensive.
To ensure a sound financial basis, the ECA members decided during their annual general meeting in Monaco in 2005 to create the category of “Board membership“.
Those board members commit themselves to paying an annual membership fee of € 3,000. They get the same information as the executive board members and are also invited to all ECA meetings, but they do not have the commitments of the daily board work. If they want to, their companies are also named on the ECA writing paper and homepage.
The executive board members are annually elected by all members and form the real governing committee.
In the past few months, Circ & Variete Globus from Romania, Circus Roncalli from Germany and Circo Victor Hugo Cardinali from Portugal have decided to become ECA board members, bringing their total number to 18.
Once more we see that leading European circuses appreciate and support the ECA activities.
The European Circus Association represents the European circuses to authorities and the general public. ECA wants to promote circus art and culture and to protect this important part of our common cultural heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president and artistic director of the International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all renowned European circuses are ECA members.
2 September 2008
Fédération Mondiale du Cirque announces Winner of Worldwide Logo Competition
After a review of thirty-three entries from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, South Africa, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the USA, S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie of Monaco named Richard Molinier's logo design as the winner.
The new logo is a tri-colour design with a performing horse, flying trapeze artists and a clown's face under a circus tent set against a map of the world
"I tried to symbolize the heart of the circus with a horse, trapeze and clown," wrote designer Molinier of L'Isle-sur-Tarn, France. A life-long circus enthusiast and friend to many European circus artists, Molinier explained that some of his fondest childhood memories were trips with his uncle to the circus. A member of the French Club du Cirque, he is a strong supporter of the circus, including animals and humans working together. He closed his letter of submission for the competition with a hearty "Vive le cirque!"
"We were thrilled with the response to our logo competition and very impressed with the diversity of designs," said Laura van der Meer, Executive Director of the Federation. "Narrowing down the selection to five for the Princess was a difficult task, but I think her choice captures the global circus community uniting under one Big Top." The new logo is incorporated into the Federation website at www.circusfederation.org or www.cirquemondial.org gør links aktive
The Federation was launched in January 2008 as a non-profit association of circus organizations. Inspired by the late Prince Rainier III of Monaco, it operates under the patronage of his daughter, S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie. Its goal is to bring together the global circus community in order to promote and preserve circus arts and culture around the world
Founding Members of the Federation comprise the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the Outdoor Amusement Business Association of the USA, the European Circus Association, the Circus Federation of Australia, the Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa, and the Canadian based En Piste.
29 August 2008
Circus Dannebrog had their opening night in Copenhagen on 29 August. Per Krogh Petersen have taken a lot of photos of tent, wagons and other equipment at the circus lot at ’Trianglen’. Click here to see those photos,
28 August 2008
Old Benneweis programmes for sale. At Benneweis' winter quarter in Dronningmølle Dawid Benneweis has found some programmes from earlier seasons. It is possible to purchase those programmes in connection with the open day event at the Copenhagen circus lot ‘Bellahoj’ on 6 September from 10 to 12. If you are a collector and happen to be in Copenhagen you have a possibility to supplement your collection. The oldest programme for sale is as far as I know from 1969.
28 August 2008
Denmark is a kingdom in northern part Europe, the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries. The tented circus season in Denmark, Norway and Sweden runs from March to September. It is in general too cold to continue performances in tents in October and November. Among the Danish circuses Circus Arli had its final stand for this season on 27 August. Circus Baldoni had their final stand on their tented tour 28 August. The tour will continue until 16 September in sporting centres etc. at Faroe Island and Iceland. Circus Arena will close its season on 7 September in Koge south of Copenhagen. Circus Benneweis will close its season 14 September in Copenhagen. Circus Krone will close its season on 21 September in Aale. Circus Dannebrog will be in Copenhagen until 14 September and will close the season about a week later somewhere in the southern part of Jutland. Circus Mascot will as the last of the Danish circuses close its season on 30 September. Several of the circuses will be active during the winter season with performance at shopping malls etc. The German family circus Renz-Berlin has toured Denmark since the summer 2006. In 2008 they have toured Jutland and Funen. They will probably close their season with Christmas circus performances in Copenhagen as they did in 2006.
Rene Mönster of Circus Baldoni has sent me this photo of his tent at one of the last lots visited this season. The tent have been sold and Baldoni will get a new tent for season 2009
21 August 2008
Got Talent 2008. Got Talent (In Danish Talent) is the Danish version of the popular British television show Got Talent. It is a search for Denmark’s best talent act, featuring singers, dancers, comedians, variety acts, artists and other talents of all ages. It is for the time being broadcasted by DR TV. Anyone who believed they have talent was encouraged to audition DR TV had hoped also to find some young and unknown acrobats. But in order to get talents they have also permitted professional acrobats to try their luck. On 21 August you could meet Marylou Casselly presenting the same contortion act dressed as a mermaid as she presented at Circus Arena in 2006. 16-years old Marylou is daughter of René and Alexis Casselly, winners of a silver clown at this year's Monte Carlo Festival. She continues in the competition. Less luck has 18 year old rola-bola acrobat Daniel Deleuran of Circus Mascot. He presented a nice act, but not nice enough to please the judges.
Marylou Casselly performing at Circus Arena 2006
21 August 2008
When medium-sized Danish Circus Baldoni has given their performance 28 August in Køng they will tear down the tent for the last time this season. They will continue the season touring the Faroe Island and Iceland where they will perform in sports centres etc. Performers will be the same as for the Danish tour apart from the Varadi Family. One of Varadi’s acts is a dog act. And it is too difficult (or even impossible) to get permission to bring dogs from Denmark to the Faroe Island and Iceland. As replacement Martin Maiböll will present his entrée as the man in the balloon.
Circus Baldoni had last autumn a very successful visit to the Faroe Islands. The have never before visited Iceland. But the owner was daily manager for Circus Arena when they in 1986 visited Iceland. At that time Circus Arena had full houses 10 days in row in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. Baldoni is however not the only circus planning a visit to Iceland in 2008: also Norwegian Circus Agora has plans for such a visit.
The Danes can meet Circus Baldoni again by the end of they year when they present a Christmas circus in some towns at Zealand.
Martin Maiböll at the man in the balloon. Photo from Circus Baldoni 2007
18 august 2008
International clowns at Bakken. As mentioned 13 August Benny Schumann is after one year’s break back as artistically director of a clown festival at the amusement park ’Bakken’ north of Copenhagen. The festival took part from 16 to 22 August. You met Clowns Pilula with their entrée with a pram which if lifted up in the air and used as a trapeze, Benny Schumann as ventriloquist and Florin with his dog Cato. The last act was one of the greatest living clowns: Toto Chabri assisted by his wife Nora and his partner Gregory. Toto Chabri was with good reason awarded the title honour artist of the year.
Toto Chabri & Co. Click here to see more photos from the festival.
15 August 2008
Open day at Circus Benneweis on 6 September at the Copenhagen circus lot Bellahoj. When Circus Benneweis this summer visited Aarhus, they invited to a very successful and well visited Open Day event.
Due to this the Open Day event will be repeated on 6 September when Circus Benneweis is in Copenhagen. It takes place from 10 to 12, and there is free entrance. You can get a guided tour at the circus lot, see the artists train in the tent, ask questions and meet other circus friends. You can meet representatives for the association of Danish Circus Friends and for the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. A number of circus books will be for sale. Some of them you can even get inscribed by the authors. Also some Benneweis programmes from former seasons will be for sale.
For foreign circus fans considering a visit to Wonderful Copenhagen the first week-end in September is a very good choice. Apart from Circus Benneweis you can in Copenhagen find Circus Dannebrog and in the Copenhagen suburbs Circus Arena. Ant there are international artist in Soren Ostergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre at the Glass Hall Theatre in the Tivoli Gardens.
Circus Benneweis at the circus lot ”Bellahoj”. Photo from 2006. Photo: Arne Magnussen/Circus Benneweis
13 August 2008
International clowns at Bakken. Benny Schumann presents a number of international clowns at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen from 16 to 24 August. You can meet
v Toto Chabri and Company (Toto and Nora Chabri and their partner Gregory Rousseau)
v The clown Florin with his dog Cato.
v The 2 Clowns Pilula
v The Danish comedian Tøffe
v Benny Schumann himself
Performances take place at the Open Air Stage every day at 17:30 and 19:30, 21 August however only at 17:30
Next to the Open Air Stage the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, present a special exhibition in honour of the late Konrad Thurano (Konrad Thur) who died earlier this year and who several times performed at Bakken.
8
August 2008
Liazeeds back in the ring again. After the
accident in
The Liazeed. Photo: Arne Magnussen. By
courtesy of
5
August 2008
A
storm in
4
August 2008
Alexander
Arli,
grandson of Soren Arli of tiny Danish
As mentioned
Olga Guseva and Andrejs Fjodorovs who has toured with
The
Magic Mirrors Pavilion at the festival presents a wide range of highly enjoyable events
including a Night Cabaret. Performers at the Night Cabaret this year are the comical magician Otto Wessely from France, the arial acrobat Rustam Tsodikov from White Russia, the
entertainers Lost Locos from Latin America
and the Danish magician Michael Deutsch.
1
August 2008
Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys stops at No Name Circus. The
skilled horse trainer and former trick rider Bjoern Schult-Bjoernlys has as of 1 August
terminated his co-operation with Team LA and its owner Luffe Bögh. He began working for
the Team La circus project called
Bjoern
has the major part of the credit for making No Name Circus a “real” circus. Time
will show if No Name Circus can continue without Bjoern of if it after a while will end up
as No Circus. Team LA was established in 1985 as an institution for socially handicapped
young persons. As part of the project No Name Circus was established in 2005. The
youngsters help with taking care of and training of the animals etc.
Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys with the bull Beef. Photo:
30
July 2008
Circus Mascot. Circus
Mascot which calls itself ”
Click here to se some photos taken by Per Krogh Petersen of tent and equipment.
28
July 2008
Sealions in Sommerland Syd at Tinglev. At the
amusement park Sommerland Syd in the southern part of
27
July 2008
Accident for Zaida Liazeed. At a performance in
During this trick Zaida Liazeed fall to
the ring. Photo: Arne Magnussen. By courtesy of
27
July 2008
Mihailovits.
- I am looking for information about my family Mihailovits, Vivian Davidsen (born Mihailovits) writes. Fenenc
Mihailovits born 10th of February
Ferens
Mihailovits born 23rd of May
Margarete
(Margit) Mihailovits born Rátz in
They
have lived on this address at least from 1941 to 1945: VII Nagyatàdi Szabó-U,4 (in
Send me an email if you have information about Vivian’s father or the Mihailovits Brothers.
3
Mihailovits.
23
July 2008
Circus
Charlie at the harbour at Thisted, Jutland.
From the northern part of
Since
13 July Circus Charlie have performed at the harbour in Thisted only a few meters from the
Limfjord inlet. The guest performance is arranged in co-operation with the Thisted Tourist
Office wanting to establish a circus school for the many visitors from especially
It
is a non-animal performance. Apart from Einar Trie the performers are a group of young
people, 8 girls and a boy, all of them between 6 and 20 years of age and coming from
The
first part of the performance consist of a hand stand entrée by the girl Oksana, an act
in arial ring, two girls in a nice act in arial straps, a juggler with cigar boxes, a hula
hoop act and several runs-ins with Einar Trie as comedian and magician.
In
the second part of the performance you met a 6 years old girl with another hula hoop
entrée (not as good as the entrée in the first part of the performance), another act in
arial straps (same girls as in the first part of the performance), a very good contortion
act by two girls from Lithuania (one of them Oksana), several run-ins with Einer Trie and
as last act a skipping entrée involving all performers.
All
in all a nice show especially appealing to smaller kids.
Circus
Charlie can be seen at the harbour at Thisted until Sunday 10 August.
Above:
Circus Charlie’s tent at Thisted. Below photos from the performances. All photos
taken by Lasse Knattrup Sorensen
22 July 2008
JUGGLING
THE ARTS
- OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTIC PROPOSALS FOR AN ARTISTIC LABORATORY FOR CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS
ARTISTS, CHOREOGRAPHERS AND THEATRE DIRECTORS
The
New Nordic Circus Network founded in 2007 by contemporary circus operators of
The
partners in Juggling the Arts are:
Guest
mentor: director-researcher Jean-Michel Guy (FR)
The
objectives of Juggling the Arts are e.g. to:
offer
artistic and financial support to Nordic contemporary circus projects
to
support dialogue and building of connections and networks among Nordic contemporary circus
artists and programmers
to
support the development of creativity and professionalism within the contemporary circus
field in the Nordic countries
Juggling
the Arts give Nordic artists the opportunity to have 2 one-week residencies to work on
their project. The artistic teams have the opportunity to test ideas, to get inspiration
and feedback from the mentors involved as well as from their Nordic colleagues. Afterwards
the artistic teams receive a production support as well as support from the partners of
the New Nordic Circus Network in terms of presentation and distribution aid on a national,
Nordic and an international level.
APPLICATION
PROCESS
1.
An Open Call for proposals until July 20thh 2008
An
open call for professional Nordic artists (circus artists, circus oriented choreographers
and theatre directors) to propose their artistic projects to the mentoring team. Proposals
will be given through the form included in this message.
2.
Selection on July 21st 2008
The
criterions for the selection made by the mentoring team will be artistic. One proposal
from each country will be selected. Information of the selection will be delivered to the
selected applicants on July 28st 2008 at the latest.
3.
Artistic laboratories
The
artistic teams of the selected projects will be invited to participate to the artistic
laboratories at the premises of Subtopia in Alby/Botkyrka in
The
travel and transportation costs as well as the accommodation and meals will be covered by
Juggling the Arts.
During
the laboratory periods the artistic proposals will be evaluated and supported through
discussions and workshops given by the mentoring team. The results of the laboratories
will be presented in an open performance at the end of the second laboratory period.
4.
Development work and possibilities for performing
The
artistic development continues in each country with the financial aid (2500-5000 euros)
granted by Juggling the Arts.
The
members of the New Nordic Circus Network will continue to support the artistic projects by
trying to provide additional production aid from national sources, by international
promotion of the artistic projects as well by presenting the projects in their festival
programmes during 2009.
18 July 2008
CIRKUS TRAPEZE at
Isabella Enoch’s has a dream
about re-establishing the old variety theatre in
For the last two summers she and
Bernhard Kaselowski have for the amusement park Family Park West close to Ringkøbing in
the western part of Jutland produced a fine circus show as free attraction (when the
entrance fee to the park have been paid). This year the performance runs for 1 hour 15
minutes.
Author and circus fan Jorgen Lorenzen writes: The big attraction is Pipo Sosman – brother of Isabella’s late
husband Eddy Sosman who passed away in 2002. Pipo is the best white faced clown in
Pipo Sosman as young and as a bit older.
Paintings by Nelly Jane Benneweis.
18 July 2008
Circus Animal Funds. ECA writes:
Dear Circus Friends Organisation:
The European Circus Association (ECA)
is pleased to announce the creation of a Circus Animal Fund.
With contributions made to the Fund, ECA will be able to undertake more work
to protect the rights of circuses and trainers to continue to present animals as part of
the classical circus. Contributions made to
the Fund will be used exclusively for this purpose under the direction of the ECA Board of
Directors.
We know that Circus Friends already do
a lot for the circus but we need your help to do more!
Without funds, we cannot fight the campaigns of well-funded activists who
are seeking to eliminate all animals from the circus.
With your help, we will have the resources necessary to convey the facts to
politicians and decision-makers and to preserve this beautiful art-form for future
generations.
Funds can be raised in many different
ways. Circus organisations may decide to make
a donation to the Circus Animal Fund directly and/or to ask their members for special
contributions. Alternatively, the organisation
can organise raffles for prizes, plan a special fundraising dinner (where a portion of the
cost per participant is provided to the Fund) or find other fun ways to generate funds. In
ECA will produce a new collectible pin
each year to encourage support for the Fund. ECA’s
first collectible pin (2008) features a tiger, celebrating the long-standing contribution
of cage acts to the classical circus programme.
The ECA will send pins to circus
organisations that request them for individuals who make a minimum contribution of 25
Euros to the Fund. Circus organisations
may order pins in advance, by paying the equivalent of 25 EURs/pin into the Fund or may
order the quantity of pins needed following completion of their campaigns and the deposit
of proceeds into the Fund. ECA regrets
that it cannot mail pins to individuals.
As an additional way of saying
“thank you!” the names of organisations and individuals who contribute more than
100 Euros to the Fund on an annual basis will be posted (with their permission) on the ECA
website as Supporters of the ECA’s Circus Animal Fund.
ECA requests that circus organisations provide ECA with a list of
names for 100 EUR plus donors who have agreed to the publication of their names.
For more information or to make a
contribution to the Circus Animal Fund, please visit:
www.europeancircus.info
or contact
First seen in
The European Circus
Association (ECA) requires all of its members working with animals to comply with its Code
of Conduct. It also encourages its members to undertake activities to support conservation
programs and efforts for the long-term survival of endangered species. ECA supports the
establishment of good regulations for circus animals and strict enforcement of animal
welfare laws. ECA has created and offers to governments that lack applicable laws a Model
Regulation for the Care, Transport and Presentation of Animals in the Circus.
If animal right activists who are
seeking to eliminate all animals from the circus success you can’t see a photo like
this. The photo shows Sonny Frankello with his elephants in their fence outside Circus
Arena in 2004.
16
July 2008
ECA has circulated this press release:
Planned
Meetings of the European Circus Association
October
12,
October
18 and 19,
November
1,
December
8,
January
16 and 17, 2009, Monte-Carlo. In conjunction with the 33rd Festival International du
Cirque de Monte-Carlo – ECA 7th annual symposium. The theme will be “Circus
– culture for the millions.“ The program will focus on artistic and cultural
aspects of the circus and its enduring appeal to the public. ECA General Members Meeting
and Circus Business Exhibition. All events will be held at the Auditorium Prince Rainier
III,
The
European Circus Association represents the European circuses to authorities and the
general public. The ECA wants to promote circus art and culture and to protect this
important part of our common cultural heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president
and artistic director of the International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all
renowned European circuses are members of the ECA.
16
July 2008
Circus
Charlie 2008.
2007 was not a good year for the small Danish Circus Charlie. They were forced to close
their season on 18 June 2007. This year Charlie’s owner Einar Trie has in the spring
trained kids in Salling Circus Club (Salling Circus Kids) and been in charge of a Circus
Summer School in Selde from 29 June to 5 July. Following the summer School Circus Charlie
gives performances from 14 July to 10 August at the harbour in Thisted in the northern
part of
14
July 2008
Royal visit to Circus Benneweis. The Danish Quinn
Margrethe, her husband prince Henrik, crown prince Frederik, crown princess Mary and their
children prince Christian (3 years old) and princess Isabella (15 months old) visited
The
royal visitors was welcomed by Circus owner
Crown
prince Frederik with princess Isabella on his arm, prince Henrik, crown princess Mary,
Quinn Margethe ,
An
elephant seems very large when you are a 3 years old prince. Good to be on mothers arm.
Daddy can then take care of my smaller sister. Photo: Alberto Serejo.
But
it is fun to pet the elephant on the trunk. Photo: Alberto Serejo.
But
it is LARGE. Good that mum is next to me! Photo: Alberto Serejo. All photos by courtesy of
Circus Benneweis.
11 July 2008
Considering a circus trip to
Friday 5 September in the evening:
visit to Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens including a visit to Soren
Ostergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre at the Glass Hall Theatre in the Tivoli Gardens
where you can meet the German
bicycle acrobat Paul Chen from Berlin, the Swiss juggler Claudius
Specht, the Danish
gentleman thief Kenny Quinn assisted by his
wife Joan and the
Danish comedians
Soren Ostergaard, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Peter
Frödin.
Saturday 6 September in the morning
they might be an interesting Open Day event at
Saturday at 13:30 fans can visit Circus Dannebrog at another
Following that fans can go back to the
Bellahoej lot and see the performance in
Sunday 7 September in morning visit to
the Circus Museum at Hvidovre (
Sunday afternoon at 13:00 visit to Circus Arena at Koge south of
Performer this year are ladder
balancing by Roby Berousek, the reprice clowns Bonbon and Jimmy Folco, liberty horses are presented by Merrylu Casselly, Brazil Brothers in their wheel of death, Ingo Stiebner’s sealions, Merrylu in an arial act done in a globe which she
can open and close during the act, Mrs. and Mr.
Dittmar with their their comical act where Mr. Dittmar is courting the girl in the
small house, Diorios with their Globe of Death,
chair balancing act done by Kong Haitao and Fang
Lili, the juggler Picasso JR, the Shaolin-monks show with Asian battle arts and Arena Kids:
circus owner Benny Berdino's grandchildren Anastacia and Patrick Berdino assisted by Merrylu and René Casselly JR. jumping from the
ring to the Casselly elephants and using elephants for their trick riding.
4 July 2008
Open Day at Circus Benneweis.
Svetlana from
Salima Peippo gives lessons in hula
hoop. Photo by courtesy of
27
June 2008
The amusement park Dyrehavsbakken (Bakken) north
of
Due to the history the owners of the rides, other entrainments and restaurants at Bakken had decided this year to celebrate Bakken’s 425 year anniversary with a Kildemarked (“fair next to the spring”) taking place from 21 to 29 June. The have tried to recreate Bakken as it looked like about 200 years ago. Per Krogh Petersen has visited the Kildemarked and taken a lot of photos of performers etc. Click at http://realshowtime.com/bakken-425-years/index.html to see those photos
27
June 2008
ECA
has sent out the following Press Release
Daring
Experiment Becomes Great Success
From
June 17 to 29, the Romanian Circ & Varieté Globus organized the first
“Festivalul International de Arta a Circului“ in
The
concept was unique because no individual acts were judged, but complete circuses. The
Hungarian National Circus (Richter, Hungary), Circus Nikulin (Russia), Circus Medrano
(Italy), Circus Busch-Roland (Germany) and Circ & Varieté Globus each presented a
complete circus programme. These shows were judged by a media jury, a youth jury, a jury
of politicians and a professional jury. Besides a high number of special prizes, e.g. for
the best music choice, the nicest costumes and the best staging, three Lions were awarded.
The Golden Lion was given to Circ & Varieté Globus, the Silver Lion to Circus
Medrano-Casartelli and the Bronze Lion to Nikulin‘s Circus on Ice. As the festival
took place during the summer break of a lot of circuses, many directors and proprietors
were able to attend.
The
European Circus Association used the occasion to organize an informative meeting. In
cooperation with the Globus organization, it ended with a press conference announcing that
Circ & Varieté Globus had become ECA board member. Another piece of news was that
during a meeting with members of the European Parliament in
The
stimulating engine behind the organization of this festival was directress Brindusa Novac.
For all her efforts, she received an ECA Award and another award was given to Sorin
Oprescu, Lord Mayor of
The
European Circus Association represents the European circuses to authorities and the
general public. The ECA wants to promote circus art and culture and to protect this
important part of our common cultural heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president
and artistic director of the International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all
renowned European circuses are members of the ECA.
23
June 2008
Most circus
owners seem to prefer to advertise their circuses as large. But the Danish dog and pony
show
A type of act whicg I haven’t seen I
22
June 2008
A
number of
19 June 2008
Circus Arena’s tour i Norway have not had too
succeful a start. It is always rather difficult for a foreing circus to have a succesfull
tour in another country where its name are totally unknown. And Arena is a good circus
brand in Denmark but as a circus not known in Norway. Opening night in the Nowwegian
capital Oslo was on 12 June. Nowegian circus fan Thorbjorn
Klaebo Flo told me that there was aproximately 450 persons in the tent, which has a
seating capacity of 1,300 persons. A lot of
the 450 persons seemed to be invited guests. Diorrios had only two bikes and not as
advertised 3 bikes in their globe of death. Thorbjorn found the wheel of death act
presented by Gengis van Gool very weak and by far the worst act in the performance.
Highlights in the performance were Terskiy Brothers, Los Alamos and Duo
Brazil. Also Duet Clowns (he worked alone and without his female partner) had some nice
run-ins. The performance run for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
After Oslo Circus Arena visited Hamar
where they gave two performances. A local reporter tells that there at both performances
were less than 100 people in the tent.
None of the large newspapers in
It is not Circus Arena’s first
visit to
According to Thorbjorn Flo Terskiy
Brothers is one of the highlights in the performance. Photo by courtesy of Circus Arena.
18 June 2008
On
5 June 2008 I mentioned then sailing new wave circus Compagnie Aquanaut which was on their way to
Compagnie
Aquanauts
16
June 2008
Press release from ECA
Together even stronger
On June
The basis of the talks was the answer
of the European Commission to the European Parliament, indicating what they would do with
the questions and recommendations they got following the resolution about “New
Challenges for the circus as part of European culture“
adopted on October 13, 2005 (report by MEP Doris Pack). Since then, two and
a half years have passed and it is time for an analysis submitted to MEPs Doris Pack and
Maria Oomen-Ruijten.
Circus as culture
Not nearly all EU countries recognize
circus as culture yet. ECA has elaborated a survey of the different ways some EU countries
recognize circuses as culture. It can be sent to those countries which do not consider
circus to be a form of culture yet. The carnival/funfair sector would also like to be
accepted as a form of culture.
Technical regulations
The rules in several technical spheres
are another big worry. The new EU norms for temporary structures have now come out, but we
must see that some countries make their introduction more difficult by additional high
demands. Thus, we are still far away from standardized regulations and promotion of free
traffic of goods and services. Another menace are severe environmental regulations banning
funfair and circus vehicles from the centre of some European cities (low emission zones)
or allowing them in only after paying high fees. And not all European countries have
exempted circus and funfair vehicles from the European Transport Regulation, although this
possibility is included in the regulations.
School education for children
Concerning the school education,
things look somewhat brighter. The report “The school education of children of
occupational travellers in the European Union“ came out recently and contains good
recommendations. A supporting network such as ENTE is considered to be important. But it
is also stated that financial means are necessary, and good practical experiences (e.g.
the “
Circus schools
Co-financed by the EU, the EPE project
produced the excellent “Basic Circus Arts Instruction Manual“. At the present
time, the Miroir project, equally subsidized by the EU, is working on a better adaptation
of the circus school curricula to the practical demands of the circus.
There are still enormous problems with
visas and work permits for workers and artists from non-member states of the EU.
Animals in the circus
The Council of Christian Organisations
for the Pastoral care of Circus and Carnival workers expresses its concern for people
working with circus animals. They feel threatened by the continuous pressure from animal
rights groups and are branded as animal abusers instead of being held in high esteem as
representatives of an old culture. ECA informed that they have elaborated model guidelines
for care, transport and presentation of circus animals, especially for countries which do
not have any relevant regulations yet. In
The members of the European Parliament
appreciated the information and the good cooperation among the participating
organisations. They will continue to support the circus and funfair culture in
From the left: Nicole Vermolen (ESU),
Kristiaan van der Linden (Council for Pastoral Care),
12
June 2008
Photos
of circus tents, wagons, equipment etc. A
circus interested Dane Per Krogh Petersen has made a great new circus website www.realshowtime.com with a lot a
photos of tents and equipment from circuses in
11
June 2008
New
acrobat in Søren
Østergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre. As earlier
mentioned at this website the Swiss ventriloquist Fred Roby should have been amongst the
stars in this summer’s show at the variety theatre in the
9
June 2008
AFUK
Festivitas 2008. Everyone
interested in the new wave circus world who is visiting
6
June 2008
Circus
Arena in
The
Rivolinos clowns. Rivolinos have toured several seasons with Circus Arena in
So
far the tour list in
12. juni
kl.18.30 OSLO v/Munch Museet (opening night)
13. juni
kl.18.30 OSLO v/Munch Museet
14. juni
kl.13.00 & 16.00 OSLO v/Munch Museet
15. juni
kl.13.00 & 16.00 OSLO v/Munch Museet
16. juni
kl.18.30 HAMAR v/Vikingskibet
17. juni
kl.18.30 HAMAR v/Vikingskibet
18. juni
kl.18.30 LILLEHAMMER Lurhagen
19. juni
kl.18.30 GJØVIK Huntonstrada
20. juni
kl.18.30 HØNEFOSS Benterud
21. juni
kl.16.00 HØNEFOSS Benterud
22. juni
kl.16.00 KONGSBERG v/Kongsberghallen
23. juni
kl.18.30 NOTODDEN Jernverkstomta
24. juni
kl.18.30 DRAMMEN v/Drammen Travbane
25. juni
kl.18.30 DRAMMEN v/Drammen Travbane
26. juni
kl.18.30 ASKER Foyka grusbane
27. juni
kl.18.30 HORTEN Havneområdet
28. juni
kl.16.00 TØNSBERG Jarlsberg Travbane
29. juni
kl.16.00 SANDEFJORD Grusbanen v/Bugårdsdammen
30.
juni kl.18.30 LARVIK Hovlandsbanen
1.
juli kl.18.30 STAVERN Grusbanen Stag
2.
juli kl.18.30 SKIEN Stevneplassen
3.
juli kl.18.30 SKIEN Stevneplassen
4.
juli kl.18.30 GRIMSTAD Gundersholm
5.
juli kl.16.00 ARENDAL Barbu
6.
juli kl.16.00 ARENDAL Barbu
7.
juli kl.18.30 KRISTIANSAND v/Gimlehallen
8.
juli kl.18.30 KRISTIANSAND v/Gimlehallen
Diorios
and their globe of death is advertised as one of the big attractions in the Norwegian unit
of Circus Arena.
Ringmaster
in
5
June 2008
Compagnie
Aquanauts - Sailing
circus again on their way to Denmark. The sailing
new wave circus Aquanaut will for the fourth
year in row visit some Danish harbours giving performance on the deck of the schooner
Lovise. Artist and
musician from several European countries are members of the Aquanaut Company. This
year’s visit will take place from 14 to 18 June when the company will visit Graasten,
Sonderborg, Faaborg and Svendborg.
Aquanaut.
Photos taken in Faaborg in 2006 by
4
June 2008
Tv-shoots from Circus Arena. At Circus Arena’s website they have collected a number of links to short on-the-spot reports shoot by local TV channels. Click here for link to this part of the Arena website.
3 June 2008
From
29 June to 10 August the amusement park Family Park
West at Hee, Ringkobing will offer short
circus performances as free attractions when the entrance fee to the park has been paid.
As in 2008 Isabella Enoch will produce the
performance at be the ringmisstress.
The
performers will be: the clown trio Sosman/Fratellini
with Pipo and David Sosman (Isabella’s youngest son) and Francesco Fratellini. The
foot juggler and plate spinning juggler Henry
Fröchte (also known as Winnetou). Bernhard
Kaselowsky with his elephant and camels. Melanie
Kaselowsky with a dancing entrée. There will be a wild west act in which also Edward Sosman
(Isabella’s oldest son) takes place and a tableau called Aladdin. Nathalie (daughter of Henry Fröchte and
Isabella’s younger sister Katja) will present 6 ponies and do a hula hoop-entrée.
30
May 2008
Circus
Arena in
Circus
Arena has not yet stated advertising in the Norwegian papers and the papers have hardly
mentioned the visit by a Danish circus. By tradition the newspapers in
29
May 2008
The
Danish Cikaros & TinCan Company winners of the Umore Azoka 2008 Award in the Basque
Country. The
IX Umore Azoka – Leioa Festival of Comedy Street Theatre, in the Basque Country,
This
2008 47 companies took place, 14 international (
Based
on street theatre, the Umore Azoka has consolidated its status as a festival through the
presence, over the years, of leading companies from the Basque Country, Spain and abroad,
featuring the premiers of numerous acts and, at the same time, providing up and coming
performers with a chance to show off their work. A blend of youth and experienced that
helps to keep the Umore Azoka fresh.
Over
these past nine years, a plethora of companies have passed through Leioa, with their
performances being rewarded by the applause of a huge audience. The festival has grown
steadily over the years, thereby enabling it to uphold the quality of its program.
Photo
from the performance Freaks in Leioa. Photo by courtesy of the Umore Azoka – Leioa
Festival. Click here to see some photos from the performance in
29 May 2008
25 May 2008
Video clip with the Danish clown Bonbon. At
YouTube you can find several video clips with performers. Click here
to see a clip with Bonbon ad his son Joakim, shot during the Open Air Gala in
22
May 2008
Newspaper
reviews of Søren
Østergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre
have
mainly be friendly although one newspaper was a bit disappointed. Apart from the Danish comedians
Søren Østergaard, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Peter Frödin whose entrées are easily
understandable also for a no-Dane (not that many spoken words) you can meet the Swiss
juggler Claudius
Specht and the
Danish magician and gentleman thief Kenny Quinn assisted by his wife Joan. The Swiss
ventriloquist Fred Roby should also have been amongst the stars and he took part of the
performance at the dress rehearsals. But shortly before the opening night it was decided
not to have him as part of the show.
Apart from being a gentleman thief Kenny
Quinn is a magician: here with the entrée The Man with the Black Gloves
21 May 2008
Tim Delbosq with two of Circus
Arena’s newly acquired elephants. Training has no been taken over by
21
May 2008
10th International Clown Festival took place at
Svendborg on the
19 May 2008
New
Circus Festival 2008. Contemporary
Circus is characterized by strong physical challenges, attraction and direct contact with
the audience. It combines, refines and constantly finds inspiration in various art genres.
In this area of the performing arts development and fusion becomes a necessity and points
to the future for many other art-forms, presenting different perspectives. This year
Copenhagen International Theatre (KIT) brings in performances from
During
the festival you can meet:
Companie
A&O
with the performance KaO, starring the French clown Joël
Colas.
Joël Colas. Photo
by courtesy of KIT
Les
Colporteurs: The dreams of the creator meet those of the
audience in the aerial ballet; The Wire under the Snow. Seven tight-rope dancers struggle
in a web, dangling between life and death, love and pain, trust and treachery, sensitivity
and joy. The wires are stretched into geometrical figures in the circle separating the
audience.
Les
Colporteurs. Photo:
Jean-Pierre Estournet
Finnish
Circo Aero with Jani Nuutinen: A very intimate and close atmosphere in a small
circus tent between one circus artist and 120 spectators. A play of glances, shadow, music
and circus. Un cirque plus juste is the second performance of Jani Nuutinen’s solo
trilogy. A series which moves a way from traditional virtuosity towards a smaller-scale,
minimalistic performance – closer to the audience.
Acrobat
from
C!RCA
from
Samuel
Gustavsson
with the performance Night For One. In an underground bunker, where time is playing
according to its own rules, he is trying to get his existence straightened out. In an
attempt to make time precious he entertains himself and his audience with fabulous
juggling and technical virtuosity. Maybe the night is getting closer up there and you are
now invited to self composed vinyl clicks, object manipulation and dusty jazz in a new
circus performance.
Yoy can read more and order tickets at www.kit.dk
18
maj 2008
Shorty (1915-2008) in memoriam. The
oldest fair performer in Denmark Knud Edvard "Shorty" Andersen passed away on 14
May. He started as a performer in 1931 with a magic entrée. In the following years he
toured
Shorty
entertains an audience at the
17 May 2008
European CircusCamp
After the circus camp Einar Trie plan
to tour his Circus Charlie for month or so. Circus Charlie decided this year to skip their
traditional full season tour due to poor income in 2007.
16 May2008
Søren Østergaard’s Tivoli Variety Theatre.
When Tivoli Copenhagen on 19th May open up the doors to the old and elegant Tivoli Variety
Theatre “The Glass Hall Theatre” you can apart from the comedians Søren Østergaard, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Peter Frödin meet three
international top artists. As earlier mentioned at this website
Søren
Østergård’s Tivoli Variety plays until the 20th of September 2008.
11 May 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN
Claude Monlouis
8 May 2008
A big small circus. Sometime in the early
1980’ies Jess Deleuran built a model of
Jess’ model of
Jess Deleuran is putting up his fine
model circus
8
May 2008
School for circus kids. Even if you are daughter
of a clown and is travelling all over the county with a circus you need to go to school.
The Danish TV channel TV2 Nord has broadcasted a short video with Julia Myllykangas who is
daughter of the clown Lasse ”Bonbon” Norager and his Finnish-born wife Tiina.
Julia and her brother Joakim travel every summer all over
6 May 2008
Circus Mascot 2008. The owner Jess Deleuran is ringmaster and presents his liberty ponies. His wife Marianne presents her dogs – not only poodles but all sorts of breeds. Furthermore she is whitefaced clown in the final act in the performance. She is probably the first female Danish white-faced clown. (Of cause we have seen many male whitefaced clowns and some females as well – by no of the females were Danish).
The owner couples youngest son Andreas assists the clown Gulio. Their elder son Daniel is a skilled multi-acrobat. This year his
has a fine juggling entrée, juggling with 7 balls. And furthermore he presents a nice
balancing act on slack wire.
There are also a number of foreign
acrobats. Miss Svitlana is a contortionist, Oksana Fabrykowa present a beautiful act in
vertical rope. Miss Tanya present pigeons in a
classical pigeon entrée. Dressed as spidermen the Kamenski
Bros has a great trampoline entrée. 8 year old Husik
is doing hula hoop. And his father Gulio who have been with Mascot for 6 years is doing
a lot of good run-ins. His contact to the audience is marvellous. And they love him!
For the time being Circus Mascot is on
tour in
The
clown Gulio is amongst the performers this year in Circus Mascot. Photo from 2005
4
May 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN
THEATRE LES DECHARGEURS presents
French magician MR GREG who, sitting at a half-moon-shaped table performs magic effects
with cards and coins and also a stunning prediction. Public 20 persons sitting as close as
possible, the manipulated things are small. Adults
only, kids cannot understand and follow this.
The POINT OF INTEREST: this kind of
entertainment, featured at small theatres, is particular to
The magician Mr. Greg at Theatre Les
Dechargeurs. Photo by courtesy of the theatre
30 April 2008
The Tribini Award to Rune Klan. Bakken north of
Rune Klan was handed over the award by
Bakken's managing director Arne Høy-Nielsen. Photo: Bakken’s press agency
26 April 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS IN
THEATRE DES MATHURINS presents a
little magic play, featuring magic entertainer SEBASTIEN MOSSIERE who gets a visit by a female journalist, some incidents do happen - but
eventually they find each other - SEBASTIEN floats above his seat out of pure bliss /The
Yogano chair for those who are in the business .../
Partner LOUISE performs dynamically
and has a sympathetic character.
The POINT OF INTEREST is, that plays
of this kind do not exist in Scandinavia, not even in
CIRCUS: ADRIENNE LARUEFORAINE has put
up her small blue top near the Fleamarket, at Porte de Clignancourt. This is part of a
social project aiming at providing good, healthy entertainment for your people in this
rather poor area. They can take part in workshops to try out their skills at various
circus disciplines. Address: 62, rue René-Binet, Métro Porte de Clignancourt.
Paris, April - ZARRO ZARRO.
26 April 2008
EUROPEAN CIRCUS DAY. In a press release ECA
writes:
Great success for the circus in
We have received generally positive
reports from all European countries and cities where the first “EUROPEAN CIRCUS
DAY!“ was celebrated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
Here are just some of many examples:
In Mühldorf am Inn in
In
In
At the Magic Circus in
The European Circus Association
represents the European circuses to authorities and the general public. The ECA wants to
promote circus art and culture and to protect this important part of our common cultural
heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president and artistic director of the
International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all renowned European circuses are
members of the ECA.
Elephant breakfast at Mühldorf am
Masses flocked to the square in front of
the circus building in Budapest
24
April 2008
Opening night for No Name
Circus. After
a few days delay the permanent circus at Team
LA Park at Solbjerg in the northern part of
This year the young performers are
supplemented by the acrobat family Zdenek from the
The juggler Zdenek. Photo:
Bjoern Schult Bjoernlys.
Photo:
The clown Micky. Photo:
23 April 2008
Walther Potthoff passed
away.
Earlier this month the former circus and variety theatre acrobat Walther Potthoff passed away. Together with his wife Birgit
Walther Potthoff had performed with their comedy perch act in circuses and variety
theatres all over the world. Walther was born in
21 April 2008
Niels Plys can celebrate his 20 years anniversary at
the Danish holiday and waterpark Lalandia. The Danish magician Niels Plys has for 20
years entertained the visitors at the holiday park Lalandia at Rødby giving shows twice a
day 5 days a week. As Lalandia has approximately 700,000 visitors every year (mainly
Danes, Swedes and German) a lot of people know the popular entertainer.
Niels Plys during a show
20 April 2008
Café Clown. Skallerup Holiday Centre in the
northern part of Jutland at the edge of the roaring North Sea have invited the Danish
painter
From Café Klovn.
20 April 2008
Circus Arena Junior etc. 18 April the Danish
circus fan
Time will shows if Arena Junior will
tour a full season or only in the summer months when Swedish Circus Skratt (produced by
Benny Berdino but owned by Bo Rönnberg) is taking a summer holiday thus making equipment
as well as performers available after Benny Berdino lost his contract for producing a
summer circus at the Danish amusement park Bonbonland. Skratt does never tour from the
middle of June and until the middle of August.
Circus Arena closed season 2006 with a
visit to
Apart from touring
20 April 2008
As mentioned at this website on 19
April 18 several Danes paid a visit to German Circus
Charles Knie during its visit to
Marek Jama has taken over presentation of the many
of the animals trained by the former owner Charles Knie. The performance began with his
presentation of exotic animals: oxen, lamas, emus, zebras and a kangaroo. Later in the
performance he presented the two elephants Cautni and Patra rented from Corty Althoff and
liberty horses. Clowning was done by the reprise clown Versace with many fine run inns. The juggler Anthony had a nice entrée. But some of his balls
and pins hit the trapeze. This upset Anthony who had nasty comments on the unpleasant
trapeze acrobat! The young Mairen Brothers
presented a spectacular hand stand entrée using a motorbike as a platform. Elaine Courtney presented her entrée in cloud
swing. Not a discipline often seen in a circus – but she does it second to none. Maria Eleky from
After the interval Alexander Lacey presented his big cats: tigers and
lions. Probably the world’s greatest mixed big cat act. Duo Stipka (Dany & Denisa) had an elegant act
in tissue. Susan Lacey presented sealions,
trained by Charles Knie. In the business Susan I mainly known as big cat trainer –
both she and her two sons have been awarded a silver clown in
Special thank to Sascha Melnjak for
such a warm welcome and for producing such a strong performance. I look forward to seeing
the show again.
Alexander Lacey with his head in the
lion’s mouth. Click here to se s slide show with more photos from the performance and of
the equipment.
19 April 2008
Anders
Enevig 85 years old.
On 22 April the dean of Nordic circus historians Anders Enevig can celebrate his 85 years
birthday. Anders has written a number of excellent books about circus and circus families.
Many non-Danes knows and are very fond of his book Circus Posters from 2001 with full
colour prints of posters by Oscar Knudsen and Erik Stockmarr and with summary in English,
German, French and Spanish. Also of interest
for persons without knowledge to the Danish language is his book Cirkus- og gøglerslægter from 2001 with
genealogical tables for 37 circus and market performer families, many of them with roots
in
Anders Enevig.
19 April 2008
18 April was a national holiday in
Queue in front of the box
office in front of Circus Charles Knie's brand new Scola Teloni telt (diameter 38½ meter)
is well deserved.
Some of the Danish
visitors. In a reed coat in the middle of the photo Nelly Jane Benneweis. Standing to the
right with a poster in her hand the circus photographer Lise Kokholm. Behind her the
gentleman thief Kenny Quinn. To the left Ole and
19 April 2008
Circus Dannebrog 2008. Opening night for a circus
is always great. But it is common knowledge that the performance runs better after a
couple of weeks. That’s why circus owner Haddy Enoch of Danish Circus Dannebrog first
invites the gentlemen of the press to see the performance some weeks after the opening
night. This year the “press premiere” was in
As always when a circus performance is
staged by Isabella Enoch it is a very well
staged performance with show dancers, nice costumes, elegant light setting (due to
Isabella’s nephew Jimmy Enoch) etc.
The circus ballet headed by
Isabella’s smaller sister
Then the famous equestrienne
Katja was followed by the Balder
clowns with a nice and short version of the entrée where a double murder is committed in
slow motion. Then came Miss Zeudy with a fine
foot-juggling entrée. Also Miss Zeudy is a member of the Errani-family. Then it was time
for an aerial act: Miss Fossett (Victoria
Garcia, née Fossett) has a fascinating entrée
combining
Then Engelbert and Sidney Balder
entered the stage with a short run in. Next act was one of the acts getting most applause:
Messoudi Family (father and three sons) with
a handstand act. Both as for content and dresses it was something along the acts presented
by Pellegrini Brothers and Encho. Although not at good as those world class performers
certainly a good act which the audience loved. Last act before the interval was Elvis Errani with his three Indian elephants.
Especially his last trick where he sitting amongst the audience by voice directs one of
his elephant walking over three of the female members of the Errani family laying in the
sawdust was impressive.
The second part of the performance was
opened by a combination of a magical show presented by
Then the Balder clowns had their main entrée: a good
musical clown entrée with David Crockett and a saloon desk. Both children and adults
laughed loudly. Nice to see another entrée than the ordinary mirror entrée, the boxing
machine or busy bee. Signorina Priscilla
(Errani) did hula hoop on the stage (Circus Dannebrog has a stage as well as a ring). The Pablo and Victoria Garcia presented their space
rocket entrée. When I last time saw the act at Circus Arena in 2001 I was not too
impressed. But today it is certainly a great and thrilling act which very well deserved
got the evening’s highest and longest applause. Following Garcia’s
came the grand finale and ringmistresss
Click here
to see at slideshow with photos from the performance. (Not all photos will be uploaded
until 20 April in the evening)
16 April 2008
EUROPEAN CIRCUS DAY. ECA writes (text in German
below!):
Don’t forget to CELEBRATE with
the circus and the European Circus Association (ECA)! Saturday, April 19, 2008, will be
the day of the days: All over
Ján Figel’, EU Commissioner for
Education, Training, Culture and Youth, delivers the opening speech, stating for example:
“The circus is a unique form of entertainment that deserves recognition and support,
as was also expressed by the European Parliament in its resolution of 2005. ... Indeed,
the travelling circus tradition embodies one of the central features of the European
Union: The circus is an art form without borders.“ (Complete speech see below!)
In
Also in other countries such as
An example from the
The European Circus Association
represents the European circuses to authorities and the general public. The ECA wants to
promote circus art and culture and to protect this important part of our common cultural
heritage. ECA chairman Urs Pilz is vice president and artistic director of the
International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo. Nearly all renowned European circuses are
members of the ECA.
Ján Figel’ - Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and
Youth – writes:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to address you today on the
occasion of the European Circus Day in my capacity as European Commissioner for Education,
Training, Culture and Youth.
The circus is a unique form of entertainment that deserves recognition and support, as was also expressed by the European Parliament in its resolution of 2005.
The circus is part of our artistic and
cultural heritage.
Although the circus has its roots in
many cultures, the circus – as we know it today – is largely a European
invention. The first circus performance took place in
Today millions of people across
The circus, in short, is a universal
art-form, offering something for everyone. It’s traditional, yet modern too,
constantly updating and renewing itself. Its
artists, many of them international citizens since birth, are at home wherever they go,
speaking their own languages and following their own customs. They are working together
towards a flawless and seamless production nearly every day of the season.
The European Union is about links, about
joining together. That joining should be in
leisure and art as well as in business. You
may be aware that 2008 is the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Few art forms bring together so many
languages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds in one place as the circus. Indeed, the circus is a natural home for
intercultural dialogue and provides daily opportunities for cultural differences to be
better understood and celebrated. That’s
why I’m pleased and proud to have been invited to inaugurate the first annual
European Circus Day. Thank you for your
attention and now….. on with the show!!
The above message is also available in
German. Knowing that some of my readers have German as their nature tongue please find
below the German version:
Vergessen Sie nicht mit dem
Zirkus und der European Circus Association (ECA) zu FEIERN! Am Samstag den 19. April 2008
ist es so weit. Dann wird in ganz Europa der erste „Tag des Zirkus“ zelebriert,
der erste EUROPEAN CIRCUS DAY! Der Zirkus in all seinen verschiedenen Arten, ob klassisch
oder modern, soll nicht nur als Kulturform anerkannt, sondern an diesem Tag ins
Rampenlicht gestellt werden, und das auch in Zukunft an jedem 3. Samstag im April.
Ján Figel’, EU-Kommissar
für allgemeine und berufliche Bildung, Kultur und Jugend, hält dazu die Eröffnungsrede.
Darin sagt er u.a.: „Der Zirkus ist eine einzigartige Art der Unterhaltung und
verdient Anerkennung und Unterstützung, wie auch vom Europäischen Parlament in seiner
Resolution im Jahre 2005 ausgedrückt wurde. … So
verkörpert die reisende Zirkustradition in der Tat eine der wesentlichsten Eigenschaften
der Europäischen Union: Der Zirkus ist eine Kunstform ohne Grenzen.“ (komplette Rede
siehe unten!)
In Deutschland feiert der
Auch in Länder wie
Frankreich, Spanien (z.B. von den Einradfahrern) und Finnland (z.B. im Circus Finlandia)
wird auf verschiedenste Art uns Weise gefeiert, entweder von den professionellen
Zirkusunternehmen oder von Jugendzirkussen. Im Zirkusgebäude von Budapest wird eine
Ausstellung von Zirkusplakaten an diesem Tag eröffnet. Beim Ungarischen National-Circus
der Familie Richter wird ein Teil der Einkünfte des Tages an ein Projekt für Kinder mit
Leukämie gespendet.
In den Niederlanden gibt es
u.a. eine Ausstellung im Circus Herman Renz und einen Tag der offenen Tür beim
„Staatscircus van Moskou“. In Yakutsk in Russland organisiert der Circus u.a.
Straßenauftritte. Beim Great British Circus in England werden öffentliche Tierproben
stattfinden, um zu einem besseren Verständnis der Arbeit mit Wildtieren beizutragen.
Die European Circus
Association vertritt die Zirkusunternehmen Europas gegenüber Behörden und
Öffentlichkeit. Die ECA will die Zirkuskunst und –kultur fördern und diesen
wichtigen Teil unseres gemeinsamen kulturellen Erbes schützen. Der ECA-Vorsitzende Urs
Pilz ist Vizepräsident und artistischer Direktor des Internationalen Zirkusfestivals in
Monte Carlo. Zu den Mitgliedern zählen fast alle namhaften Zirkusunternehmen Europas.
Ján Figel’ -
Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, writes:
Meine sehr geehrten Damen und
Herren,
Ich freue mich, heute
anlässlich des Europäischen Circustages zu Ihnen in meiner Eigenschaft als EU-Kommissar
für allgemeine und berufliche Bildung, Kultur und Jugend sprechen zu dürfen.
Der Circus ist eine einzigartige
Art der Unterhaltung und verdient Anerkennung und Unterstützung, wie auch vom
Europäischen Parlament in seiner Resolution im Jahre 2005 ausgedrückt wurde.
Der Circus ist Teil unseres
künstlerischen und kulturellen Erbes.
Obwohl der Circus über Wurzeln
in vielen Kulturen verfügt, ist er so, wie wir ihn heute kennen, im wesentlichen eine
europäische Erfindung. Die erste Circusvorstellung fand
Heutzutage erfreuen sich
alljährlich Millionen von Menschen in ganz Europa am Circus. Der Circus kann einfache
Unterhaltung für die ganze Familie oder hochkarätige und ausgefeilte Kunst bieten. Der
Circus ist für viele Menschen die erste Begegnung mit live gezeigter darstellender Kunst.
Wenngleich der Circus manchmal auch in speziell errichteten Gebäuden stattfindet,
gewährleistet seine Mobilität, dass er auch breitesten Schichten der Gesellschaft
zugänglich ist. So verkörpert die reisende Circustradition in der Tat eine der
wesentlichsten Eigenschaften der Europäischen Union: Der Circus ist eine Kunstform ohne
Grenzen.
Kurz gesagt, der Circus ist eine
universelle Kunstform, die jedem etwas bietet. Er ist traditionell, aber auch modern, und
erneuert sich immer wieder. Seine Künstler, von denen viele seit ihrer Geburt Weltbürger
sind, sind überall zu Hause, sprechen ihre eigenen Sprachen und pflegen ihre eigenen
Sitten. An fast jedem Tag der Saison arbeiten sie gemeinsam daran, eine fehlerfreie und
nahtlose Vorstellung zu präsentieren.
Die Europäische Union hat mit
Verbindungen, mit Zusammengehen zu tun. Dieses Zusammengehen sollte für Freizeit und
Kunst ebenso wie für das Geschäftliche gelten. Sie werden wissen, dass 2008 das
Europäische Jahr des interkulturellen Dialogs ist. Nur wenige Kunstformen bringen so
viele Sprachen, ethnische und kulturelle Milieus am gleichen Ort zusammen wie der Circus.
Er ist in der Tat die natürliche Heimat des interkulturellen Dialogs und verschafft
alltäglich die Gelegenheit, kulturelle Unterschiede besser zu verstehen und zu feiern.
Deshalb bin ich froh und stolz, mit dieser Rede den ersten alljährlichen Europäischen
Circustag zu eröffnen. Vielen Dank für Ihre
Aufmerksamkeit, und nun ... Manege frei!!
11 April 2008
6 April 2008
As earlier
mentioned on this page The Danish Artist Union
being the trade union of performing artist c
2 April 2008
Opening night for Danish
Soren Arli welcomed the audience and handed over
presentation of the program to Bettina who is
a both charming and competent ringmistress. First act was Miss Olga in an acrobatic act in a big ring. Then
Martin in his horn suit
After the interval we met Darja’s trained cats presented by the female
partner from the roller skate entrée. Also a very charming act. Bettina can this year celebrate her 25 year
anniversary as an acrobat. And she does it by presenting one of the first acts she
presented to the audience many years ago: hair-hanging. Then we met the Arli clowns: this year Soren and Martin,
assisted by Bettina. The kids loved their entrée. Last act in the performance was the
magician Castrix alias Alexander Arli who
showed some fine tricks, including the penetration and the substitution trunk. The
performance ran for 1 hour 50 minutes. It is accompanied by taped music (this year
classical music arranged by
That how you can celebrate a 25 year
anniversary: Bettina Arli. Click here to
see a more photos from the performance. (The slidehow will not be ready in its final
version until 6 April).)
1 April 2008
Per Krogh Petersen has at his website made a page with a lot of photos from this year’s performance in Circus Arena. Click here for a link to Per’s website.
1 April 2008
A circus
interested Danish librarian Dan Roneklint Sorensen
published last year in July a survey of museums of Circus, Artists and Showmen at http://www.cirkus-dk.dk/cirkusmuseer/
An updated version of the survey is now available. The language is Danish, German and English. The survey introduces more than 150 museums all over the world. To the extent known information is given on opening hours, email-addresses and websites. Dan Roneklint Sorensen will be very grateful for corrections, amendments and comments on his survey. Send me an email if you have any such corrections etc.
1 April 2008
As mentioned on 27 March 2008
First we met the clowns Daniel Dim (also called Danillo) and Ib Ibbermand (Martin Maiböll), assisted by the
assistant stage manager Thomsen (Tonny
Steinveg). Both Martin Maiböll and Tonny Steinveg started their carrier as circus
performers at the Hvidovre youth circus Arcus (former called Regnbuebørn). They have
several nice run in's during the performance. Their first run in was the classical
“don’t play here”. Following
the clowns circus owner René Moenster welcomes
the audience and all the performers enters the stage (Baldoni is using a stage and not a
traditional ring) singing Baldoni’s traditional welcome song. First acrobat act in
the performance are Chinese 4 Gao Chen with a
nice combination of lion dancing and diabolo. Then Daniel
Dim and Ib Ibbermand are back with a
comical magic act. Next is the Hungarian couple The
Ferrencys with a special balance with a bike on top of some globes (see photo). Then René
Moenster and his ventriloquist doll Leonardo the Lion introduces The Varadi’s
with their 6 dogs. It is a charming act which the Danes last year could see in Irene
Thierry’s tiny Circus Krone. The Daniel Dim and
Ib Ibbermand are back wanting to play music
one again. Assistant stage manger Thomson is upset but when he is invited to join them and
being “star for night” he is more than willing to let them play! Next comes
young Miss Eszter (daughter of Ferrencys) who
has her debut on the ring juggling with cotton balls. Last act before the interval are Gao Chen with a nice tissue act.
The Ferrencys bike balancing act
Second part of the performance begins
with The Ferrencys in their wheel of death.
The wheel is not as great as in Circus Arena or the act as dangerous as the fabulous Crazy
Wilson's. But it is an act which match perfect to a tent of the size used by Baldoni (a
tent with a diameter of
28 March 2008
World Circus Federation Logo
Competition. Announcement of the Fédération
Mondiale du Cirque under the patronage of S.A.S. Princess Stéphanie at the 32nd Festival
International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo in January of this year has been greeted with great
enthusiasm. The Federation soon will identify
its initial projects in pursuit of its goal of promoting circus arts and culture. To
highlight the new opportunity for global cooperation, the Federation’s Founding
Members announce a world-wide competition for the design of a logo for the Federation that
captures the heart of circus. Graphic
designers, artists, students and circus fans, young and old, are invited to submit their
best design(s). The winning logo will be
selected by Federation Honorary President, S.A.S. Princess Stéphanie. All entries in the competition should be sent
to laura@europeancircus.info no later than
31 May 2008.
28 March 2008
Opening night for Circus Dannebrog was on 27 March. A review if the
performance will be given when Circus Dannebrog on 17 April invites the press to see the
performance.
They always prefer not to invite the
press to see the performance until it after some weeks runs smoothly. I have however heard
that it should be a very strong performance.
Among the performer this year are the
famous equestrienne Katja Schumann. Photo by courtesy of Circus Dannebrog.
27 March 2008
The Ferrencys are among the performers in
25 March 2008
The Danish dog and pony show Circus Mascot will open their season in Roslev on
27 March. From the owner family we will meet Daniel
Deleuran as juggler on slack wire, his smaller brother Andreas as clown, his father Jess Deleuran with ponies and his mother Marianne Deleuran with her dogs. Furthermore
circus owner Marianne and Jess Deleuran has as always engaged some talented foreign
acrobats: Kamensky brothers are trampoline
stars, Miss Svitlana is a contortionist, her
twin sister Oksana Fabrykova works in arial
rope, Miss Tanya presents her trained pigeons,
and her 7 year old son Husik has a nice
hula-hoop entrée (he is really good!). Clowning is apart from Andreas done by Gulio who is married to Tanya and father of Husik.
In the performance you will also meet the musical clowns Charlettis (Marianne as white faced clown, Gulio
and Andreas).
24 March 2008
Large audience for Circus Arena during
the Easter holiday. Despite bad weather (or maybe because of the bad weather)
a lot of Danes visited Circus Arena in
On some weekdays the audience is more
limited.
Large audience for Circus Arena during
the Easter holidays.
22 March 2008
Tiny German Circus Astoria whose entire staff consist of the
owner Richard Köllner is for the time being on Funen in
24 March 2008
CIRCUS IN WINTER WEATHER - SNOW ON TOP OF --- THE BIG TOP. CIRQUE ZAVATTA FILS,/ managed by
one of Achille Zavatta's sons/ got too much
snow on top of the big top - the result was that it collapsed - on top of the public
during a show.
Fortunately noone was hurt. It all
happened recently /today MARCH 24/, in the department of Pas de Calais,in the north-west
of
22 March 2008
From
THE MAGIC THEATRE OF
The show is geared to a very general
audience, thus not particularly to magicians and to those interested in magic - and that's
the strong point - the guests get a total event, dining, wining and watching a funny,
original and interesting show. Partner
CHOUPINET plays an important role, performing on stage and running the public
relations/sales service. Two oriental show-girls participate in the illusions, which
alternate with cabaret magic effects.
Thus, after an international career
spanning from 1960 thru 1990, JAN MADD perpetuates the memory of French master magician
ROBERT HOUDIN, the father of modern magic. On Sundays there is a family show, aimed at
parents and their children of 6 years and upwards. The "What's on in
Jan Madd and his company
INTERVIEW FRANCESCO BOUGLIONE. The
Excerpts from interview:
A NOUS
FRANCESCO BOUGLIONE: Everyone!! Circus
is not particularly for children, people go there WITH their kids - that's different!
Often the parents use their children as an alibi for going to the circus. Among our public
we see a lot of young couples without kids and a number of teen-agers. Most of our public
are adults.
ANP: What's an ACT OF HIGH QUALITY ?
FB: It's a performance executed by an
artist. At the circus, people expect to see - a PERFORMANCE - there is no story to tell,
no message to deliver. You recognize an artist who is able to communicate with the
audience - there has to be a spark - or something ... - that springs from artist to
public. Also - the setting of the ACT, the music, the costume play a great role - that's
how you spot an artist.
ANP: What about your competition?
FB: Really - we have none /he laughs/
- we don't have any special target group, we target all and everyone. Circus remains a
popular entertainment and we aim at keeping our entrance fees low. And - very important -
contrary to other kinds of entertainment, circus has no social or cultural barriers.
ANP: Today, we have a lot of
"virtual" phenomenon - does that harm circus ?
FB: It doesn't seem so, on the
contrary it appears that the more people are confronted with virtual, artificial and
unreal entertainment - the more they will want a show that is LIVE - without any bogus
element but with a strong human presence - the audience sees artists who perform a real
and tangible show where no faking is possible.
21 March 2008
Master
Pickpocket Quinn in
When
Tivoli Copenhagen on 19th May open up the doors to the old and elegant Tivoli Variety
Theatre “The Glass Hall Theatre”, you better watch your wallets and hold on to
your watches! Because
The
original Glass Hall Theatre served from 1863-1902 as
Kenny Quinn together with German
TV-producer Kurt Filex
20 March 2008
Karl Ferdinand Trunk and his ponies.
Photo:
After the interval we once again met Karl
Ferdinand Trunk in an
entertaining act with pigs, goats and dogs. Then Titto Lester has his main entrée:
The cinema sketch. It is a very funny visual comedy sketch as a
The Liazeed. Photo:
20 March 2008
Circus Arena 2008. Opening night was on 18 March
2008. First act was classical ladder balancing by Roby
Berousek. Then we met the first of the two reprise clowns: Danish Bonbon first as
owner of a puppet, later as a puppet himself. Arenas liberty horses are trained by Tim
Delbosq. At the opening night the horses was presented by Merrylu Casselly. The other reprise clown was Jimmy Folco.
In his main run-in he invites 4 persons from the audience into the ring and makes a
rock bank out of them. Jimmy’s routine makes it possible to get his
”band-members” to join the act and have fun. The wheel of death is always one of
the audience’s favourite acts. Also at Arena where the act was presented by Brazil Brothers making the usual wheel of dead
stunts. Nice although
far from Crazy Wilson-standard. Ingo Stiebners sealions have been with Arena
several times. But you never get tired of seeing those clever animals. Merrylu had her second entrée: an arial act done
in a globe which she can open and close during the act. Then Mrs. and Mr. Dittmar have their comical act where
Mr. Dittmar is courting the girl in the small house. When she gets out of the house you
can see that she is
Second part of the performance begins
with a marvellous chair balancing act done by Kong
Haitao and Fang Lili. An incredible act. After a run in with Jimmy Folco we met Picasso JR in a wonderful juggling entrée. Bonbon had another run-in assisted by his wife
Tiina as the princess which Bonbon should free from the dragon (a tiny dog dressed as a
dragon). Then came the Shaolin-monks show
with Asian battle arts, sword battles and as a highpoint the leap through a rotating, with
knives studded burning tyre - and that blindfolded! Last act on the program was Arena Kids: circus owner Benny Berdino's grandchildren
Anastacia and Patrick Berdino assisted by Merrylu and René Casselly JR. jumping from the
ring to the Casselly elephants and using elephants for their trick riding. René even
mastered a backwards summersault from one elephant to another elephant. The performance
was accompanied by a 4 piece orchestra. No use of taped music but much use of a sequencer
to get a sound as if the band have had 12 members.
Arena Kids – this year with elephants. Photo: Circus Arena/Christian Warrer. The Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet has on their website a video clip from the training of Arenas Kid’s act. Click here to see this clip.
16 March 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS
IN
After
a break, due to computer problems, I would like to forward the following information:
Every
year, a number of circuses do come to
In
January there is LE FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU CIRQUE, Ringmaster Christophe Ivanes,
located in Massy, a Parisian suburb, in February comes LE CIRQUE DE DEMAIN with the stars
of tomorrow. In March you will find
Circus
COMPAGNIE RASPOSO appears at intervals, they stage a medieval show where everything is
faithful to medieval culture: music, costumes and program.
Cabarets:
Street
performers are nowadays seldom seen, although there is a tolerance /but no permit/ for them. Musicians can get a permit to play
in the Metro, renewable every 6th month, they have to present themselves for an audition,
which should ensure that the decibels they produce remain inoffensive.
Crazy
Horse has no more visual acts, only a dozen or so of tableaux featuring excellent
show-girls - but ---- about 50% of the public is --- women...
LE
MUSEE DE LA MAGIE has a non-stop magic show Wed-Sat-Sun as well as the museum and a magic
shop.
A
list of theatres where you - often - can see visual acts, mainly magic:
Trévise/
Clavel/ Antre Magique/ La Loge/ Mathurins/ Comedie de la Passerelle/ Vieille Grille/ Mélo
d'Amélie/ Renaissance/ Le temple/ Ciné 13/
As
for SHOWBOAT METAMORPHOSIS JAN MADD MAGIC THEATER , please separate write-up, which will
be published next week by Circus in
You
will find these places in L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES /in French only/ and PARISCOPE /also
in English/ - available at all news-stalls.
This
list does not pretend to be exhaustive, but the main points are covered.
WELCOME
TO
17 March 2008
Circus directors and circus fans call for the cultural
recognition of the circus. In a joint resolution, the European Circus Association
(ECA) and the German Circus Fans‘ Association (GCD) have called on the Federal
Government to recognize the circus as part of the cultural heritage. Already in 2005, the
European Parliament took a decision about this topic, but so far it has not been
implemented in
In the resolution ECA and GCD call on
the Federal Government to recognize the circus in any form, especially in the classical
circus with animals, as a part of German culture, and promote it accordingly.
To mark the occasion, the GCD
presented a special issue of its CIRCUS ZEITUNG with the topic “Animals in the
Circus.“ This extra of the monthly GCD magazine was developed together with circuses,
animal trainers and scientists. The first copy was handed over in Munich to Martin Lacey,
Jr,
Board members of the ECA and the GCD
applauding the passing of the joint resolution in the ring of
12 March 2008
International
clowns at Bakken. On 27
February I mentioned that
´Toto Chabri.
Photo from Circus Dannebrog 2006
11 March 2008
New lay out of the
9 March 2008
Circus
Arena’s new tent with a
diameter of
Circus
Arenas new tent – the largest in the Nordic countries
8 March
Some
Danish circus friends headed by Brian “Briano” Behrendt visited
7 March 2008
Circus Arli
2008. Tiny
Danish Circus Arli is calling this year’s performance ”CLASSIC FANTASTIC”. As always circus owner
Soren Arli has engaged some high quality performers. Furthermore several members of his
own family will take part in the performance. DARJA
will present her trained (h
ANDREJS
FJODOROVS with pigeons, chickens and dogs. Photo by c
Bettina
Arli. Photo by c
6 March 2008
Police
commissioner robbed by thief. Take it
easy. It was not a criminal offence which had
Kenny
and Joan Quinn have just returned to their home in
Kenny Quinn
in action at the police head quarter. Click here to see a slideshow with more photos
6 March 2008
Circus Charlie
is one of
the small Danish circuses, mainly t
Einar
Trie will now concentrate on his circus summer school and the y
5 March 2008
The small
German family circus Astoria is for the
time being t
4 March 2008
Circus No Name
The
experienced trick rider and horse trainer Bjoern Schult-Bjoernlys is
artistically director of Circus No Name
4 March 2008
World
Circus Trade show 11-13th April 2008, Paris, Porte de Versailles
For
the first time in the world, an event bringing together all of the professions and all of
the spheres of influence pertaining to the circus! A festive and convivial event entirely
devoted to the circus, to the rhythm of activities, acts, shows, meetings, debates,
exchanges, circus arts workshops... Exchanges market Sunday, April 13th between 10 am and
12 am. A unifying event to celebrate the Circus Arts and a big top space at the centre of
Hall 6. Read more at www.salonmondialducirque.com
or call Floriane Gaber
27 February
2008
26
February 2008
ECA
ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL EUROPEAN CIRCUS DAY.
In December last year The European Circus Association proclaimed 19th April 2008 as the
first-ever European Circus Day. The ECA plans that European Circus Day will become an
annual event taking place each year on the third Saturday in April. The Day is designed to
let adults, children, and public figures see aspects of the circus tradition which are
normally ‘behind-the-scenes’, and also to include conferences, street parades,
art exhibitions, and many more related activities. The Europe-wide event will include
input from circus companies of all sizes as well as from supporters of the circus arts,
and will be backed by ECA ‘branding’ of logos and publicity. The Day will be
heralded each year by a brief message from an important personality. The message will be available on videotape for
media use. For 2008, we are very pleased to
ann
The
European Circus Association hopes that every circus and circus-related event thr
ECA
President Urs Pilz said “We want to create a new circus tradition to draw attention
to this branch of the Arts and to demonstrate
The
ECA has now issued the official logo shown below for use in connection with ECD.
23 February 2008
Circus Benneweis 2008. Diana Benneweis has
released the program for the coming season which will open on 19 March in Hillerod
As the last c
Trio Gaspars comes from
The Liazeed comes from
Friedrichsbau-Stuttgart to the Cacino
Fortuna in Torrequebrada. They have also been featured on many TV shows both in Europe and
the
Jidinis are one of the few magicians who also does a great act when performing in a circus. Many magicians prefer performing at a stage with the audience in front of them. Click here to see a video clip from one of Jidinis’ performances.
Salima Peippo from
The animals at Benneweis will as last
year be presented by Karl Ferdinand Trunk (ponies
etc) and Alex and Christian Gärtner
(elephants). This year’s run-in clown is named Tito
Lester. He is f
It will be Circus Benneweis season nr
122. No other circus has in the ownership of the same family t
22 February
2008
Circus Dannebrog’s 2008-programme has been known for a
while and has earlier been mentioned at this page. But the Haddy Encoh-family has just
send
The management is pr
Pablo and Victoria Garcia with their
space ship. Photo by c
21 February
2008
The Danish
Artist
17 February
2008
Circus during
the winter holidays. Among the
many shopping malls presenting circus performances as free attractions was Ballerup
Centret where the actor
Ellena &
Ingo at the Ballerup Centre. Click here to see more photos from the performance
17
February 2008
On
8 February
2008 I mentioned the ECA AWARD GRAANTED TO
PLAYMOBIL TOYS. Chris Barltrop of ECA has kindly sent me the photo shown below of ECA
Managing Director
14 February 2008
Circus Arena
2008. Italian tent
maker Scola Teloni is busy with making the new tent to be used by Circus Arena in
Diorios
with their globe of death, this time with 5 riders
11
Shalolin monks with a Kung Fu-show
Carlos
and Lucio in their wheel of death
The
Caselly family and their elephants (winner of a Silver Clown in
Ingo
Stiebner with his sealions
Arena
Kids (trick riders)
The
juggler Picasso JR
The
Robin
Berousek (ladder balancing)
The
clowns Bonbon and Jimmy Folco
The
Ditmar's (comedy act)
Apart
from touring
11 February
2008
11 February
2008
Vivi Schumann
at the TV channel TV2
8 February
2008
Small German
circuses touring
8 February
2008
ECA AWARD TO
PLAYMOBIL TOYS RECOGNISES PROMOTION OF CIRCUS CULTURE
ECA,
(European Circus owners Association) have released the following press release:
Circus
is culture -- that’s the message behind the work of the European Circus Association,
which counts more than 100 leading European circuses among its members.
And
the ongoing work of one of Europe’s leading toy-makers in adding to that vivid
culture is about to be recognised as ECA presents an Award to the Playmobil company,
renowned in the
Circus
culture goes deep. It’s a lot more than
just a performance. Circus is far from
passive. It grips the imagination and makes
you want to take part!
For
many years, Playmobil have made it easy for children (and some bigger ones, too!) to
‘take part’ in their own version of the circus. The first Playmobil circus
models appeared as far back as 1978, when a box office wagon, musicians, clowns, a cage
wagon and a performance cage with lions, and a circus caravan were brought on the market.
Since
that date, repeated updates have kept the Playmobil circus at the forefront of our
imagination. The full collection includes trapeze artistes, high-wire walkers, a
knife-thrower, cowboys, clowns, a strong-man, a juggler -- even trapeze flyers, complete
with safety net! There’s lighting and
seating, too, to add to the atmosphere. Plus,
of course, those essential participants the animals --
tigers, rhinoceros, hippoes, monkeys, giraffes, elephants and horses,
complete with a real stable.
Like
the circus itself, Playmobil takes in the latest developments. The newest addition to the range has a cage wagon
with extending compartments to give the animals extra living space, and an exterior
‘playground’ cage with enrichment materials for lions and tigers to play with
and to sharpen their claws. Just like
the 21st-Century ‘real thing’!
Presentation
by ECA is this Friday 8th February at 14.00 hrs, when Mrs Andrea Schauer, senior manager
of Playmobil’s owners Geobra Brandstätter, will accept the Award on the Playmobil
Messstand in Hall 12.2 – P – 7 at the Spielwaren Messe in
At the
7 February
2008
Do
y
Circus
Maximum, Circus Olympia and
6 February 2008
The collector’s circus. The story ab
The collector’s model circus –
Jess Deleuran’s model of
The
collector’s very own circus – Circus Mascot seen from the air
5 February
2008
No more government funds for new wave circuses. Fore
some years the Danish Ministry of Cultural affairs have granted economical support for new
circus performance. Due to a reduction in the ministry’s general budget for support
to culture it has now been decided that such support to new wave circuses as a main rule
not will be given in the future. Traditional circuses have never received any sort of
government support in
30 January
2008
At
the circus festival in
Several
Danes from the world of circus visited the festival in
27 January
2008
As mentioned
earlier a lot of Danes visited
27 January
2008
Circus Manager the man of the year at Funen. The
man behind the largest y
Circus
Flik-Flak. Photo from the summer 2007. Tommy Hardam can be seen in a silver jacket
standing at the right of his performers.
25
January 2008
Lotte Arli 70 years on 30 January. When
Lotte in 1957 met a young and handsome painter’s apprentice Soren Arli Hansen both
Lotte and Soren fall in love. They became a couple and Soren who a few years earlier have
had his debut as an artist at the variety theatre Alhambra at the amusement park Bakken
north of Copenhagen persuaded Lotte to try her luck not at a painters wife but as a artist
wife and assistant. They created a comical juggling act called Lott and Arli. Furthermore
Soren performed as whiteface clown and Lotte did thought reading using the artist name
Madame Zarina. With acts like those Soren and Lotte toured with circuses among those the
Danish circuses
Lotte
Arli
To
the left: the juggler duo Lott & Arli 1963. To the right: Lotte Arli as ringmistress
in
24
January
QUINN´S
at a clinic.
”Not Aufnahme” is the name of Variety Starclub in
How
to get a new tie. Joan
and Kenny Quinn at Starclub in Kassel
23
January 2008
Danish
The
children’s favourite - Alando the clown
23
January 2008
Several Danes
at
22
January 2008
Establishment of World Circus Federation (Fédération
Mondiale du Cirque). ECA’ writes: The international circus organisation under the
patronage of S.A.S. Princess Stephanie of Monaco
was announced 18 January 2008. The
Fédération Mondiale du Cirque brings together circus organisations around the world for
the purpose of preserving and promoting circus arts and culture. The six Founding Members include the Festival
International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, the European Circus Association (ECA), the Outdoor
Amusement Business Association based in the United States, the Circus Federation of
Australia, the Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa and the Canadian organisation En
Piste. The Federation will serve as the voice of the worldwide
Speaking
to the media and more than 120 circus directors, artists and fans gathered for the
occasion, Monte-Carlo Circus Festival President Urs
Pilz noted that, in the early 1970s, S.A.S. Prince Rainier III already envisioned the
need for the creation of a world -wide circus organisation.
Mr Pilz said that the conditions for creating such an organisation did not
exist at that time. Increasing collaboration
among circus directors over the past few years across
From
Denmark
They
are (left to right/gauche a droit) FMC Director Laura van der Meer, Bernard Petiot (En
Piste / Cirque du Soleil), John LeMare (Circus Federation of Australia), Brian Boswell
(Animal Interest Alliance of South Africa), Wayne McCary (Outdoor Amusement Business
Association of USA), Her Serene Highness / Sa Altesse Serenissime Princess Stephanie of
Monaco, President of the Monte-Carlo Circus Festival Urs Pilz, and ECA Founder and
Ambassador Martin Hanson.
21 January 2008
A golden clown was awarded to the 4 Pellegrini Brothers (hand-to-hand balance), the Florian Richter-tr
Chinese Shenyang-tr
A bronze clown was awarded to the
contortionist Elayne Kramer, to Marina and Svetlana for their foot-juggling with
scarves and to Sergei Akimov for a strapat
entrée,
She and her husband were awarded a
silver clown: Alexia Casselly riding the c
Miller Benneweis 50 years on 20 January.
18
January 2008
Circus during the winter holidays. School children
in
Elena
& Ingo
During
week 7
Perry
with the sea lion Teddy
During
week 7 Circus Mascot are performing at Herning
Centret and during week 8 at Aalborg Storcenter.
Apart from the Deleuran family - Jess, Marianne,
Daniel and Andreas – the audience can
meet Marianne’s poodles, the clown Gulio,
then juggler Ulmas and Miss Tania.
The
Clown Gulio (Ulmas Gulyamov)
At
Y
10 January
2008
Announcement
of Fédération Mondiale du Cirque under the Patronage of
S.A.S. Princess Stephanie. In connection with the Circus
Festival in
6 January 2008
Die Balders are taken lessons in Danish. As
earlier mentioned on this page Circus Dannebrog has for the coming summer season engaged
the musical clowns Die Balders from
From the
left: Sidney Balder (with a black cap), Zarro Zarro, Christian and Engelbert (wearing a
red cap)
2 January 2008
New winter
quarter for Danish
2 January 2008
IT ALL HAPPENS
IN PARIS --
CIRQUE TSIGANE ROMANES, management ALEXANDRE BOUGLIONE.
From Paris Zarro Zarro writes: This circus has an original concept: GYPSY CIRCUS /tsigane
= gipsy/ - ALEXANDRE BOUGLIONE and his gipsy wife DELIA ROMANES present a program backed
up by a gipsy band of five musicians/violin, bass, guitar, accordeon and clarinet/ and
DELIA who sings in a very emotional way. The program is based mainly on aerial acts
/trapeze, aerial ring, vertical rope and textile/ performed by young girls, coming from
circus schools. Furthermore there are: a skillful football juggler, a hula-hoop girl in
oriental style, a pleasant contorsion act performed by a young girl, working in the way we
usually see Chinese girls do and - performing goats. I also remember a young girl dancing
on the tight wire.
Alexandre
Bouglione is a former lion trainer and has established this circus as a very special
concept, attracting a solid audience to his Top /not a big one/, holding 300 - 500
persons, depending on the installation of seats, by the way rather uncomfortable - raw
wooden planks. The Bouglione children perform as well: acrobatics and dancing, allowing
them to get a first contact with the general public. There is a very intimate atmosphere
in this rather small tent, with an excellent contact between artists and public. Te show
always ends with a little improvised party, where people can buy soft drinks and snacks.
All in all, a very charming program, showtime about 1 hour 15 min. At your next visit to
1January 2008
Birthdays with a round figure in 2008. Several
personalities from the Danish circus world can in 2008 celebrate a birthday with a round
figure. On 20 January Miller Benneweis can
celebrate his 50 years birthday. On 30 January Lotte
Arli of
1 January 2008
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