Circus news from Denmark 2016

30 December 2016

The circus year 2016 in review

The circus year in review is an annual review published on this website by the end of each year. You can find link to the previous year's reviews at the bottom of the circus news page.

Introduction

It is in these years not easy to run a circus in Denmark. It could be seen on 9 January when Circus Benneweis, the world's oldest circus owned by the same family and with annual tours every year since 1887, announced that they after some loss-making seasons would spend one or two years off the road for restructuring.

Their decision got wide media coverage. The Medias in Denmark are unfortunately more interested in stories about problems and accidents than in reviews or reports from the performances or the daily life in a circus.

The other Danish circuses were all on the road once again although several of them, including Circus Arena and Circus Dannebrog, as Benneweis for the later years have had loss-making seasons. Fortunately for the circuses in Denmark there was 2017 a general increase in the number of visitors. The year brought also a new circus on the Danish roads: Circus Trapez.

As usual, the quality of the performances in the Danish circuses was high.

For the eight year in row the Danish circuses got competition from DR television’s Big Band’s and the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation’s Circus Summarum. The Summarum-performances are not circus, but children's theatre that takes place in a circus environment. 

The Danish Circus Award was re-established in 2016. The Danish film world has the Bodil and Robert awards similar to the American Oscar awards. The Danish Theatre world has Reumert awards similar to the Tony awards. But the Danish circus world had not has similar awards since 1968 and 1969 when the then Minister of Culture presented the Danish Circus Award to Albert Schumann, respectively Eli Benneweis.

Danish Circus Friends' deputy chairman Ole Simonsen became chairman of the jury for the re-established Danish Circus Award. The other jury members was Pia Jette Hansen, managing director of the Gasworks Theatre in Copenhagen, Jan Hertz,  actor, director, stage artist and former theater manager and entertainment manager in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens and Rud Kofoed, reviewer of performances in theater, revue and circus for a leading Danish tabloid.

The award ceremony took place Tuesday 23 August in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen and became a festive event. The Danish Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder presented the Danish circus and artist world's finest award, the Danish Circus Award, to Benny Berdino who now for 40 years had headed Circus Arena and had made it to the largest circus in the Nordic countries.

This year's talent award went to a representative of the smaller circuses: Alexander Arli of Circus Arli.

The award for the best act of the year was given to Captain Frodo from Søren Østergaard’s Zirkus Nemo.

From left: the mayor of Hvidovre Helle Adelborg, the Talent of the Year Alexander Arli, the year's Best Act Captain Frodo, the receiver of the Danish Circus Award 2016 Benny Berdino, the  Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder, jury members Pia Jette Hansen and Jan Hertz and chairman Ole Simonsen. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Click here to see clip from TV2 Lorry from the award ceremony.

The performances in 2016

During the school’s winter holidays in February CIRCUS KRONE had performances in Aarhus. BENNY SCHUMANN presented his mini circus in the Elsinore City Shopping Centre. CIRCUS MASCOT had performances in in Herning Shopping Centre and Aalborg Shopping Centre. JIMMY ENOCH produced a show called Enoch's Circus Show. In week 7 in Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense and in the following week in Friis City Center in Aalborg. ISABELLA ENOCH presented winter circus in 10 arenas in Jutland. The Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, featured a show with the clown Bonbon and his wife Tiina and the couple's children Joakim and Julia.

In January and February Rene Moenster of Circus Baldoni tried his luck by sending a magic show WILD WITH MAGIC on tour. There were performances in arenas in some cities on Zealand and the Faroe Islands. Despite a nice program the number of visitors was disappointing, especially at the Faroe Islands.

Circus Arena

The largest circus in the Nordic countries Circus Arena opened the season at Bellahoj in Copenhagen on 16 March.

CRAZY WITH ALL OF IT wrote the theatre and circus reviewer Rud Kofoed about the performance and continued:

Welcome to this year's craziest family reunion. So said the old circus director Benny Berdino who will turn 70 in August. And then he claps his hands and gives room for a generational change for open curtains.

Now it is the grandson Patrick Berdino, 24, who has to show that he is grown-up and responsible for the presentation of the performance …

This he does by as ringmaster - now show master - to live up to the modern unbearable lightness and assisted by his two newest best friends, Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl and James Sampson from the Danish version of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. (Patrick participated in Strictly Come Dancing in the autumn 2015).

And then there are talented children, three trimmed girls aged 11, 12 and 13 from the Ukrainian handstand troupe Trio Creation that heaven know why becomes a major act. My general opposition to performing children suffered another crack and I resigned to the fact that there are exceptions. The girls are pounding proficient in their synchronistic life on hands and lives up to the presentation: 'They adorn the ring in a symbiosis of raw strength, balance and grace'. Like hell they do. They deserve fully their status as the audience’s favorites.

Trio Creation - 3 young girls aged 11, 12 and 13 years – did great synchronous handstand and was very well deserved among audience’s favourites. They were among the nominated for the Danish circus Award’s special talent award.

The contrast is the fire blazing five jumping and bouncing guys and at least one girl who place themselves on the edge of dehydration of the trampolines, making it possible to climb a 'high-rise' in every way. OK, it is jumps on the spot, but not just small jumps! It is a popular discipline in these days and Ukrainian Team Nonstop is certainly in the top class.

Trampoline Jump against wall is the name of this discipline. It is first time we see such an act in Denmark

They are not the only performers jumping up and down. The Romanian Cretu Troupe can also do it. But they use a springboard to repeal the gravity. It is a pleasure to see the troupe's dozen of 'cannonballs' be shot away and build up to five men height. Can man fly? Yes, sometimes.

The Cretu troupe should this year have done an act with Russian swing. But their springboard number was so much better than their entrée with Russian swing that Arena chose to use the springboard act although it was the third year consecutive year the Cretu’s did this act in Circus Arena’s ring.

Another Czech Paulo Kaiser also ensures turmoil on the podium. He does allegedly this with 25 years of experience in rola bola art. We believe that, not only can he go in height but also in width when he jumps from one rola bola board to another. Cool!

A propos pace: The Czech Mario Berousek, 41 has won awards both in Monte-Carlo and Paris, where he is known as 'the world's fastest juggler' after several years on Pigalle in the Moulin Rouge show …

Last act in the performance was Mario Berousek who juggles faster with his clubs than any other. The photos taken at 1 / 1,600 seconds, but would probably have looked more realistic (with clubs in motion) if I had used a slower rate.

On top of all that we met a diversity of animals. Well it's not new world sensations, we get to see, but the pleasure is just at the sight of 'lady in red' and 'black beauty', Laura Berdino and Arenas black Friesian stallions. That it happens to the singer James Sampsons crisp, rousing Lionel Richie hit 'All Night Long' only reinforces the experience.

Patrick trimmed dromedaries and llamas and Rudi Althof with Arena’s own elephants Lara, Jenny and Jungle, which Benny Berdino originally bought in Spain. Circus elephants are living on the latest 'sell by date', for when the old circus elephants die or retire we will hardly see new ones. Thus, it is now we have to enjoy such acts.

For several years, you have had go to Arenas Circus Land near Slagelse to kiss a sea lion, but now you can - or rather, Dana & Jean can - do it in the ring, where the two beautiful, playful Patagonian sea lions Viktor and his younger brother Oskar does tricks to be awarded with nice herrings.

The Russian Ekaterina is a beautiful, fearless “bat” who in the night light glow embarks on the wildest air tours from a trapeze high above the circus sky. It is an advanced but impressive form for bungee jumping she does. The same alto goes for the laser man Samsyr Brasil, heralding new 'techno-democratic' times in the circus.

Even Arenas usual clown Jimmy Folco has become better and have one again turned its Italian seductive charm on ...

To see Rud Kofoed excellent photos from the show, click here.

Circus Arena ended the season on August 29 in Slagelse.

As previous years Circus Arena kept their winter quarters in Aarslev open during the winter holidays, summer holidays and autumn holidays. Circus Land, as it is called, offered sea lion show, wild-west-show, pony rides, playground, museum etc. as well as short performances in Circus Landino.

Circus Arli

Circus Arli opened their season in Fløng on 26 March.

The Arli family had this year decided to put together a show with artists who was all in their 20s and with 29-year-old Alexander Arli as president by seniority. Only director Martin Arli and his wife, the elegant ringmistress Bettina, were older. Martin's traditional entrée with magic had been skipped this year.

Although some might miss Martins "social magic", the result is was a delightful performance that both adults and children enjoyed. The performers were the family members along with 4 engaged artists: Francesco Fratellini and his girlfriend Sarah and Michelle and Seraina who have learned to know each other at the artist school in Berlin. In addition, the staff consists of 3 ring boys / tent workers. And last but not least, Lotte Arli, who as usual was in charge of the ticket wagon.

The show began with the artists dressed as construction workers arriving on the scene and raising a small circus tent. After Martin Arli’s welcome Miss Sarah did an elegant hula hoop act where the rings also were used for other thing than a spin on the stomach.

She was followed by a short entrée with Francesco Fratellini. He is the eighth generation of the famous circus dynasty. In his clown run-in was first included a sketch with a camera and then with a remote control, which could turn on and turn off the lights.

Next Seraina entered the stage with an entrée where she began in trapeze and ended up in a German wheel. Impressive, what she could do on the small stage in a discipline which you usually only can see in full-size rings.

Seraina

Then followed a nice little sketch with Bettina and the mischievous teddy bear Micha. Micha was able to remove an apple, located under a bucket, without the need to remove the bucket.

When the bear had gone, Bettina proudly presented her and Martin’s son Alexander, who this year did a modern and fast-paced handstand entrée which also included chair balancing. In the end of the season he had for a while for health reasons to skip this act.

Alexander Arli. In August he received the Danish Circus Awards special talent award.

The last act before the interval was an elegant and stylish number in trapeze with Michelle and Seraina. Partly as a couple, partly performed synchronously. Beautiful and elegant!

Michelle and Seraina

After the break Michelle came back with a charming number with a dog - probably a small collie. Then Sarah entered in the ring, this time with fine contortion. She was followed to the performance's third female artist Seraina in tissue.

"Do you want to see clowns?" Bettina asked. The answer was of course yes, and now Martino and Alejandro entered the ring. Alejandro is the stage name used by Alexander when he as his grandfather Soren Arli is white-faced clown. And just as Soren he is excellent. One can see also that he has learned much from his winter jobs in the theater / cabaret world. First the trombone playing Martino teased Alejandro. Then Martino was hypnotized and covered under a blanket and got first a knitting needle and then a roast fork in the head. When Alexander then would try with a garden fork, Martino came however out with a head of cabbage on top of his own head. Seen before, but served with great charm and elegance. As usual the two clowns ended their entrée with their musical finale.

Alejandro and Martino. In the background the elegant ringmistress Bettina Arli

The performance's last act was a reunion with Francesco Fratellini in an entrée, where he first juggled while he ran on a unicycle. Then he put a dish in spin, juggled with cups and with up to 7 balls. The act ended with him on a tall unicycle with foot throwing plates, cups and finally a spoon up on his head. Great!

Francesco Fratellini

Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitissteins slideshow from the performance.

Circus Arli closed the season on August 23 in Sengeløse. As usual, they toured only on Zealand, including the Copenhagen area.

Just as in 2014 and 2015 the Arli family arranged from the middle of November and until Christmas the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market in Copenhagen. This year, the Christmas market was by the request of the municipality moved from Kultorvet to Axel Torv, where it unfortunately seen from the central street Vesterbrogade was hidden behind the construction mess for the new Axel Towers.

Circus Baldoni

Circus Baldoni opened their season in Lyngby on 15 March.

It's almost a tradition that Baldoni’s own clown Danilo opens the performance by climbing up on the stage and doing something with the light. This year, by pulling a fictional chain to the light he turned on and off the light. Next came Baldoni’s welcome song, while all artists with flag came in the ring, which in Circus Baldoni is a circular stage.

First artist was Eduard Janacek. He did a stylish, fast-paced classic juggling entrée with clubs, hats and cigar boxes without a single error, if one disregards the rehearsed drop of cigar boxes just before he grabs all the boxes –of cause followed by another successful attempt.

Next act was chair balance with Michal Mudrak in up to 5 chairs height while his partner Daniella Vitova played the violin. Then Danillo had a fine conductor-entrée. Not a copy of David Laribles famous entrée, but an entrée where the “musicians” staid on their ring side chairs and played music using bubble wrap. New and original. However, Danillo and René revealed after the show that was an idea borrowed from the German Circus Roncalli. OK to be inspired by others' good ideas.

Szulita Szkrenyes then did a fine act in the net before time had come for this year's new attraction: the not quite young strongman Hercules aka Hungarian Joszef Pakuza. He hummed with heavy wagon wheel on a pole, pulling an expander out that no one else could handle, held an arm with a heavy iron ball across a chainsaw and grabbed a cannonball that was shot out of a cannon. He ended up being run over of Rene Moenster’s almost 2-ton heavy Volvo.

To the left: Eduard Janacek is a versatile juggler. To the right: the strongman Hercules being run over by a nearly 2 ton Volvo

After the break Eduard Janacek was back with a classic and well-executed rola bola number.

The time has come to another clown entrée: Danillo, Cindy and René's fine version of the classic boxing entrée. Both children and adults laughed,

After a short, traditional hula hoop entrée with Maria Janacek time has come for at more untraditional act: Hands to Violin with Michal Mudrak and the violin-playing Daniella Vitova. An almost contemporary circus style story about a couple who oversleept and had to get up and get dressed. The act included handstand and pole balance. Nice!

The act Hands to Violin told a contemporary circus style story. For their original act they were nominated for the Danish circus Awards special award for the best act of the year.

The act should have been followed by a new act with Danillo and Cindy. But at the opening night they did not believe that the new act yet was rehearsed enough to be presented in the ring. Instead the used the restaurant/ spaghetti-entree which last year was one of the children's favorites.

After a week the new act was ready. It began almost as the old entrée with Danilo taking a lovely lady to his cafe, where he as in the old entrée is floundering when he should pour champagne. To give the lady - that's of course Cindy – some entertainment he brought in a ghetto blaster as a jukebox didn’t work. This gave Danilo and Cindy opportunity to mime to a variety of evergreens, a bit like what Danilo last year made did in his entrée "tiny Danilo". The children enjoyed themselves and the adult audience enjoyed Danilo's and Cindy's version of a series of hits, Danish as well as English/American.

Top: Danilo turns on the radio. Middle: Danilo’s versions of Kim Larsen’s Buy bananas and Paul Reichhardt’s Are you friend with the birds of heaven. Bottom: Danilo and Cindy's version of the old Dirch Passer / Gitte Haenning song about little Miss Sky.

Last act in the performance was Pirates of the circus, Dennis Kiss and Szulita Szkrenyes great act in vertical rope with some aerial cradle elements could also be seen in in Baldoni in 2012. Since then the number has become much better.

The show ended with a beautiful cheerleader finale.

To the left: Pirates of the circus. Want to see more photos? Then click here to see Jacob Boas Leitissteins beautiful slideshow from the performance.

During the season Cirkus Baldoni arranged a number of events where they offered schools that they could be part of a circus project that was free of charge for the school. The target group were pupils in 0^th to fourth class. The goal was that the students were allowed to be part of a circus performance together with professional artists and with families and friends as the audience buying tickets the show.

The tented season where Baldoni as usual only toured Zealand and Lolland-Falster ended on August 29 in Ølsemagle, but was followed by visit to the Faroe Islands with performances in the arenas etc.

BALDONI'S CHRISTMAS CIRCUS had in November and December performances in ten different arenas on Zealand, including in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre. In addition, they produced under the name CIRCUS PIXIE FUN a number of performances for kindergartens etc.

Circus Dannebrog

On 26 March Circus Dannebrog had their opening night in Vojens. Until a week before the premiere, it was uncertain if Circus Dannebrog would be on the roads this year. After some loss-making seasons the company which had owned the circus since Haddy Enoch passed away in 2009 was sent to compulsory dissolution, and on March 13 the company was declared bankrupt. The company was owned by Haddy’s widow Solveig Enoch. However, the four Enoch-siblings Dennie, Agnete Louise, Isabella and Katja managed to buy the necessary equipment from the estate and get Circus Dannebrog on the road, now with a company owned by the siblings as owner.

Apart from in the initial phase, however, only three of the four siblings were involved in the operation of Dannebrog, as Isabella Enoch chose to tour with her own Circus Trapez.

Circus Dannebrog has this year a new band: 6 well playing Polish musicians who as far as I know previously worked for the Swedish Circus Skratt.

After the managing director and ringmaster Agnete Louise Enoch had welcomed the audience the bike acrobats Duo Centner entered the ring, where they worked on their own custom-built podium with inlaid lights and smoke effects.

Duo Centner. Photo: Ole Simonsen

While the podium was removed, the clown Charly Carletto had one reprise, where he with a Mexican hat on his head invited two members from the audience in the ring and got them to dance limbo. The final effect was a variant of the well-known gag with a skipping rope being removed when one of the guests blindfolded is jumping rope. Here, however, it was limbo he should do.

Next came three girls from the Brazilian troupe Flying Regio in the ring together with Armando Arano Liazeed. The latter did a fine act in pole. Then the three girls - Sandro Sisters - continued with a spectacular aerial act. See photo.

Sandros Sisters. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Then Charly Carletto presented his version of the well-known boxing match entrée. He was assisted by 6 persons from audiences, one of whom – the boxing partner - probably as almost always in such entrées was a circus groom dressed as a member of the audience.

Then Robert Berousek came in ring with a traditional but well performed act ladder act. The Danes have previous seen him in Circus Arena, where he just as in Dannebrog also served as a kind assisting performance director.

Youth, charm and elegance! This has the 17-year-old Amadeo Folco Jr, who presented the Folco family’s 5 well-looking camels in an act which also featured changes in tempo.

Amando Folco Jr.  Photo: Ole Simonsen

Then time had come for The Centners second act: They entered the ring on a 4-wheel motorbike. The male partner jumped of the motorbike and juggled with 5 rings. Then he jumped up on a platform at the back of the motorbike and juggled with up to 7 balls while the female partner drove the motorbike. Then he juggled with clubs, first on the motor cycle and then in the ring. The number ended with him in the darkened circus juggling with three burning torches, standing on the platform of the illuminated motorcycle

During the break a safety net was put up for Flying Regio's main act: 7 people in trapeze: 5 flyers and two catchers allowing jumps in two parallel paths. Impressive. The troupe mastered the classic tricks, finishing with a triple somersault and double crossing, even performed synchronously. The number ended with the classic death leap were one of the flyers hang in the toes on a bar right up under the big top and then let himself fall down into the net.

Flying Regio. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

While the net was pulled down Charly Carletto did the well-known "don’t play here” entrée with a transistor radio that was hurled into a garbage can in the middle of the ring. The radio could still play whenever the lid was lifted.

Now it was once again time for animals in the ring: 2 camels and 2 horses in a fine and a new routine presented by Amadeo Folco Jr.

Next came Charly Carletto in the ring once again, this time with his version of David Laribles’ famous conductor entrée with six persons from the audiences as musicians.

Charly Carletto with his musicians. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The next act was perhaps the performance's top act: the Cuban head and handstand acrobat Armando Arano Liazeed in a great number, where he e.g. jumped on his head along a plank! Later he did hand leap up a staircase. His act ended with the legendary Encho’s famous trick where he pushes bricks away and land on the handstand sticks. Where Encho used 8 x 2 flat bricks Amando use 4 x 2 cube-shaped bricks.

Armando's final trick. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press.

The Cuban artist was followed by Robert Berousek with a fast-paced act where he juggled with tennis rackets.

After a very short run-in with Charly Carletto, who played the trumpet, Adriana Folco Althoff entered the ring with two beautiful Indian elephants. Later in the season her son Amadeo Jr. took over the act which with his youth, charm and elegance in reality was better than when it was presented by his mother.

Indian elephants, presented by Adriana Folco. Photo: Ole Simonsen. Click here to see more photos from the performance

The season ended on 25 September in Gram.

But the season had certainly not been without problems. Circus Dannebrog had for many years had a team of Ukrainian tent workers. A change in the law meant that Ukrainian tent workers could no longer obtain a work permit in Denmark. Thus, Circus Dannebrog had to get a new gang tent workers. A similar problem did not hit the country's other circuses which had Polish and other Eastern European tent workers. Circus Dannebrog tried to get hold of tent workers from such nations, But good tent workers proved to be in short supply, and many of them they got hold of was completely inexperienced and left Circus Dannebrog after a day or two when discovered how hard the work was. Due to lack of sufficient tent crew there was during the season's first three months a number of cancellations and performances which with short notice was moved to another city. First in July Circus Dannebrog managed to get hold of a team of stable tent workers. A visit to Copenhagen in the end of the season was as for the number of visitors a disappointment, even though Circus Dannebrog this year could to use Copenhagen traditional circus lot at Bellahoj. Dannebrog Mølby Ltd. which was responsible for operations in 2016, had to realize that the season ended with losses, and shortly before Christmas the company was declared bankrupt. The bankruptcy does not affect the holding company which owns tent and other equipment. It will be possible to continue operation with a new operating company.

Circus Krone

The tiny Circus Krone had opening night on 19 April in Salten.

A happy and proud Irene Thierry wearing one of the late Thyra Miehe's old costumes welcomed the guests at the opening night. It was the best Krone-performance I've seen for years!

Irene Thierry. The costume is a gift from the late Thyra Miehe

In most cases the performers in the smaller circuses in Denmark are two artist families together with the owner family’s own members. However, this year Irene Thierry had booked no less than 4 artist families. It gave apart from Irene and her husband Jan "Alando" Allan 9 performers, as one of the artist couples also had their small daughter with them in the performance. The increase of the number of artists was not at the expense of quality!

True to tradition, the clown Alando goes around and enjoys small talking to the audience before the show starts. Then he swept the ring, but was hampered by a mischievous rabbit that constantly pushed the lid of the dustbin. After Irene Thierry’s welcome we met The Quick Donnerts with a quick-change act. The duo consists of Richard Donnert from the famous jockey rider family together with the foot juggler Eva Varadi.

After the quick change Alando enters in the ring with his two mischievous ponies. Nice that Circus Krone in this way used the ponies in a comical entrée instead of presenting a liberty act.

Hey, it eats my apple!

Next, Nedyalko and Veselka presented a fine adagio number where Nedyalko was carrying Veselka in changing positions. Unfortunately Vesalka was taken ill later in the season and the act had to be taken out of the program.

Then Roland Ditmar entered the ring with a large flower and searched for a lady friend. First he tried his luck with ladies at the ringside chairs. But then he saw a lovely lady in a small house that was put up in front of artist entrance. Roland and Nemeth Dittmar’s entrée is excellent and extended since we last time saw the couple in Denmark in Circus Krone in 2004 and in Circus Arena in 2008.

Roland and Nemeth Dittmar

After the Dittmar’s the Polish Duo Henryka entered the ring with glass and sword balancing. Fine and skilfully performed by the duo's male member, ending with the traditional balance over a ladder.

Then Roland Dittmar entered the ring once again with a broken leg and bandage around his head. One could understand that he had been in a fight with his wife! As Aladdin, he found a wishing lamp, which gave him three wishes. First, he wanted his head to be in order - and immediately the bandage fell off. Then he wanted the leg to be OK - and immediately the plaster fell off. Finally, he wished his wife the same situation as when he entered the ring – see photo. A funny and fine entrée by a talented couple.

Roland and Nemeth Dittmar

The first act after the interval was an original act with Nedyalko who by means of a ring, sticks and a necklace built a large and impressive mobile which as planned fell apart when he removed the ring from a stick. I have never before seen a similar act. A Swiss artist, Maedir Rigolo, tell that it is him who in 1997 invented the act, which he presents as Sanddorn Balance. Rigolo claims that he has the exclusive right to such act. However, it seems doubtful if one can have exclusive rights to such an act. It is based on the well-known technique from mobiles which has been known long before Rigolo was born.

Eva Varadi now presented her fine and stylish antipode (foot-juggling) act. Great to see an antipodist who use hoops, balls and cylinders and not just scarves. The act ended with juggling with a cross of fire.

Next entre was a classic Circus Krone entrée: The beloved entrée with Alando and a dangerous animal. This year a panda with Andreas from Odense’s youth Circus Flik-Flak inside. As something new the panda ended the act on a unicycle - a discipline that Andreas was taught in Circus Flik-Flak.

The next act was a repeat from 2015: First Veselka and later her and Nedyalko’s daughter Yana in a fine hula hoop entrée. After Vesalka was taken ill the entrée was only with the daughter.

The performance's last act was Duo Henryka in perch. They presented first a number in ringperch. Since the male partner carried his wife on the top of the perch over a high step ladder. The duo’s final trick was when he on stilts supported a perch with her wife on the top. Great that Irene Thierry this year could impress her audience with such an act.

Duo Henryka. Click here to see more photos from the show.

Circus Krone had the season's last performance on September 10 in Aale after having toured in Jutland and on Funen, Ærø and Samsø.

Circus Mascot

Circus Mascot had opening night in Roslev on 30 March.

Jorgen Lorenzen was one of the invited guests at the season’s first performance in Roslev on 30 March. He wrote (my translation):

Daniel Deleuran takes this year a break from the ring as acrobat. But he is ringmaster - short, clear and informative. But before he welcomes us to “the Danish family circus”, we meet Husik with a hula hoop act - classical, but with special trick: he rotates a ring in his nose, and he rotates a ring with a diameter of 3 meters around his body.

16 year old Husik is son of the clown Gulio and the aerial acrobat Tetyana. After close of the season he was admitted to the circus school in Kiev.

And then Daniel welcomes the audience. This year's performance is called: At the top. The clown Gulio interfere in Daniel’s welcome, but he has no ticket - but borrows one from a member of the audience who he then want to turn away because you can’t go to the circus without a ticket! A classic gag but always amusing. Gulio now get access to the ring, where he receives a packet that is leaking. He thinks it was a tasty soft drink, but the box contains a leaky dog. Classic, but funny when it's done with charm and talent. And this Gulio has.

Then we meet Marianne Deleuran with her dog show - 10 dogs, 3 races. Classical, recognizable but varied. The dogs can do everything: stand, walk, jump, skip, tease, rain, dance, lie, skip rope and roll a ball. You do not get tired of looking at them. Imagine if your own dog could do just a fraction of it!

Marianne Deleuran and her playful dogs

Now Gulio enters the ring, disguised as a woman with some overdeveloped breasts that even Line Kessler (a Danish reality TV star with very large silicone breasts) cannot be beat. It's always funny to see men in women's clothes. Especially when they are trying to dance ballet and charm the male audience.

The Hungarian Mr. Nereus presents a handstand act. Handstand acts are seldom comical. But here's humor part of the act as Nereus conjures up a doll - and dress up the doll. The doll serves as the "under man" and helps him to finish the act. He ends up stacking bricks under himself. It has been seen before but here is done with combined artistic skills, humor and inventiveness.

The performance's veteran was the 67-year-old Hungarian handstand comedian Lui Nereusz. He had two entrées: a comic handstand entrée and a gloriously drunken man act where he climbed a lamppost

It is now time for Gulio again. This time with golf balls, which are thrown into a paper bag. Set before - but presented with charm, it is indeed a good transition to the next act in the performance which is Julia and Jumbo. Julia is the daughter of Gulio. Jumbo is an inflatable elephant.

It is some time since we last time saw a glass balance act. But we see such act during the Mascot performance. The artist is called Miss Vitzo. She balances glass on a dagger, which she keeps in the mouth, while the glass slipping back and forth. Two glasses stacked on top of each other and in the end 3 glasses. Also a ball is used as balance object. The final trick is when she balances a balloon on which is placed a glass. The balloon pops - and the glass is caught on the dagger, where it remains.

Gulio have a short run-in before Tatyana Primachenko enters the ring with a stylish rope act. Such acts are often seen - but mostly as either a vertical rope act or a tissue act. It requires both personality and artistic ability and this has Tatyana.

To the left: Tetyana. To the right: Miss Vitzy

Then comes Alfred and Luna - two small pigs, certainly not usual Danish pigs but it's amusing. They say that pigs are smart, but it's not easy to get them to jump / climb through a ring, turning a wheel, hoist a flag and play football. It requires some patience, but it's fun to look at: can they do it? And how? Then come the rest of the Mascots "exotens": two goats that climbs, crawl, seesaws and balance. The latter particular may very well lie in the animals' genes.

And then follows the old act: The man in the lamp post, a comic act in swaying mast. Many remember The Great Fattini. Here it is the Hungarian Lui, who pretends that he is drunk. But it ends as it should: the mast sway dangerously, Lui is falling down but saves himself in his drunkenness into / on the light, as he finally gets on. A deviation from Fattini is that lamppost is overturned, giving Lui opportunity to show that he is a knock about acrobat.

Lui Nereusz

The show ends with Gulio, forming his own small orchestra, composed of the available musicians, and this constitutes of cause members of the audience.

Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited Circus Mascot 27 June in Vipperød. Click here to see his excellent photos.

Circus Mascot closed the season on 25 September Glyngøre. The month of July they spent just as in 2015 as "free attraction" in the amusement park Sommeland Zealand.

Zirkus Nemo

From 20 April which was opening night in Horsens and until 17 September Søren Østergaard visited a number of cities with his Zirkus Nemo, which he called Denmark's only circus for adults. Where the other circus has many one-day cities, Zirkus Nemo staid at least 5 days in a city and had never performances Sunday and Monday. This make then work for the tent crew less stressful than in the other circus.

Rud Kofoed attended the opening night on 20 April in Horsens and was excited. Rud was for many years reviewer for the leading Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. Rud gave the performance 5 out of 6 possible stars. Below I quote part of Rud’s review of the performance (my translation). Rud’s review of Soren Ostergaards entrées is hardly understandable for other than Danes.

One of Soren Ostergaard’s most beloved parts is as “Smadremanden” (the Smash man). Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

We have seen Captain Frodo before, but not so much as this year. The rubber man is incredible and back with brand new tricks. Now he climbs through two tennis rackets with his entire body. One of the rackets is five centimetres smaller than the 'ordinary' tennis racket. In general it will be impossible. But not for the confetti throwing mad Frodo who comes from Australia, but otherwise is out of a Norwegian family of entertainers. He is crazy, but unique and not a great burden for costume budget, but absolutely for the laughter budget!

Captain Frodo. Captain Frodo got the Danish Circus Awards special award for the best act of the year. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press.

On top of everything, the zirkus owner has once again succeeded in finding artist of the best kind. The tango juggling duo Menno and Emily van Dyke's act is outstanding. The Dutch juggler and French ballerina unite the two art forms in an impressive, stylistically beautiful tango, which has hardly been seen before in our part of the world...

Menno and Emely van Dyke. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Love continues with Love is in the air - and the Eiffel Tower - with Duo Solys which consists of Cuban Hector Yzquierdo and Tatania Colaguy which he randomly spotted in the audience at a performance in New Caledonia. The outcome is an extremely beautiful act.

Duo Solys. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The American brothers Fabio and Guliano Anastasinis are the ninth generation of a family doing Risley acts: to 'lie on your back' and throw the other person another round with your legs. No matter how easy it looks, it's quite a feat we are seeing.

Anastasinis. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Should anyone need a bit of Italian housewife strip, chances are here - with Steacy Giribaldi who is presented under the title: Italian for advanced! - And surely it is. Do not take this with the strip too literally. It's her seductive style that gives you that idea when she gives a 'course' in how to run up and down a ladder.

Steacey Giribaldi. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The orchestra has always played a major part in Nemo. This year we are experiencing a new peak with the accordion playing Øjvind Ougaard as bandmaster. And then trumpet artist Kasper Tranberg. The orchestra is in itself worth the whole performance. It is just so super and non-digital.

Click here to see more of Rud Kofoed’s photos from the show.

Cirkus Trapez

Dennie, Agnete Louise and Katja Enoch had decided that time had come for presenting Circus Dannebrog’s audience for another elephant act than Bernhard Kaselowsky’s elephant Ramboline which had been with Dannebrog every season since 2010. Isabella Enoch did not agree and chose together with her longtime boyfriend Bernhard Kaselowsky to send her own Circus Trapez on the roads in confidence that Ramboline would be a draw. Trapez is the Danish word for trapeze.

The tent was an old tent from Circus Baldoni tent which Isabella Enoch a few years ago bought from Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen.

Circus Trapez had as the last of the Danish circuses premiere in Jels on 18 May and toured during the season in Jutland and on Funen. 

Soren Kastoft and his son visited the circus in Billund on 14 June. Soren wrote (my translation):

On 14 June 2016 my 8 year old son Villiam and I went to Grindsted to see Circus Trapez.

We saw a well-attended performance in the tent with room for 550 people.

The show began with two of clown troupe Popey’s members playing on instruments and making sure that the proper circus atmosphere materialized before David Sosman welcomed.

Director Bernhard Kaselowsky presented as the first act 5 beautiful Arabian stallions in a beautiful liberty dressage that filled well in the small ring, This was followed by 4 ponies in an equally nice dressage before the "big and small" finished the horse act. Impressive with that many beautiful horses in a relatively small circus.

Bernhard Kaselowsky. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen

Next act was Desy Rico with hula hoop. A fine act where dance and acrobatics went up into a higher unity. Villiam was very impressed by the number of hoops.

One of the clown troupe Popey's members also served as run-in clown and did well-known gags such as the applause competition between the spectators sitting right and left to the ring. Villiam believed that the also for him very familiar run-ins were presented at a crazy and funny way.

The young Stine-Maria from Kolding is according to the program in charge of presenting the goats. But this evening she was assisted by a female member of the German Brumbach family. A fine act where the goats' skills in balancing were proved.

David Sosman presented cows. The large cows came very close to when you sat at the ring side chairs. The children in the audience were very enthusiastic to be able to pat the circus-stars during the act.

The Spanish clown family Popey ended the first part of the performance with a musical entrée in which two flies struggled and where also love had a great and funny part.

The Popey clowns. Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

During the break, there was the possibility of riding on elephants or camels and you could see the many animals in the stables. A camel foal walked around at the lot and everything breathed of peace and harmony and all animal friends can only be satisfied with the animals' living conditions.

The second part of the performance began with David Sosman’s juggling act which has improved since I saw it last time.

David Sosman. Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

The evening's star was according Villiam the illusionist Mr. Joseph, who in a very fast-paced and fun-loving number presented well-known tricks in a charming way.

The conjurer was followed by Gino Gonzales' aerial act.

Bernhard Kaselowsky presented his camels at a high pace. Nice with a camel act with pace.

The evening's last act was Circus Trapez’s star, the elephant Ramboline, which also fills well in the ring.  A well-known act which is always nice to see once again.

Ramboline also entered the ring in the grand final and helped to say goodbye to the audience.

Bernhard Kaselowskys elefant Ramboline was amongst the stars in Circus Trapez. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Click here to see a number of Jens Chr. Sørensen photos from the show.

Circus Trapez closed the season later than their colleagues: on 20 October in Esbjerg.

Other performances

Years ago you could see artistes in many amusement parks. But this is unfortunately history.

For the fourth consecutive year Laura Schumann Torres and her husband Luis presented an outdoor show at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm on Funen. This year the couple had their 2 children Natalia (7 years) and Adriana (5 years) with them in the performances. This year's show, which could be seen from 13 July to 14 August, was called The Horse Powered Stunt Show. Laura Schumann Torres was one of the three artists which the jury of The Danish Circus Award nominated to this year's talent award.

Laura and Luis Schumann Torres. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen. Click here to see more photos from this year's show on Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm.

Laura's aunt Katja Schumann has turned a farm outside Løkken in the northern part of Jutland to a circus farm where she during the summer months and until the beginning of October presented short performances.

During the school’s autumn holidays CIRCUS MASCOT had performances first in Bilka supermarket in Vejle and then in Bytorv Shopping Centre in Horsens. CIRCUS ARENA produced a performance for Kolding Shopping Centre. CHARLIE AND BINALTO from Circus 3 appeared in Frederiksberg shopping mall. At the Circus Museum in Hvidovre you could meet the brothers Max and Ulf Carling from Sweden.

Obituaries

The Danish clown Peppo, who’s Christian name was Tommy Yt Hansen, passed away on 31 March, 72 years old. Tommy had his circus debut in Regnar Thierry's Circus Krone. Later he worked a season for Circus Benneweis. In 1983 he toured together with his partner Willie (his Italian-born wife) with Circus Dannebrog. Since the couple worked in many other shows, including in the large German Circus Barum. One of their popular entrées was the one with the cheerful painters.

Nick Olander, former chairman of Danish Artist Association passed away on 2 June in the age of 71. At the end of the Second World War his dad formed the artist group "The Elvardos" (sometimes spelled Elwardos) which immediately after the war began touring in Europe and quickly became a top attraction. It was the starting point for an international career that lasted until the mid-1980s. The troupe performed with various acrobat- and jumping acts specializing in handstand tricks. From 1986 to 2006, Nick Olander was chairman of the Danish Artists Union.

The Danish clown Joseph Albert Dubsky passed away on 19 September. He was 90 years old. Joseph Dubsky came from an old artist family. Together with his wife Josette Joseph appeared for many years in many European circuses as the Dubsky Rivel clowns, sometimes along with their son Janos as white-faced clown. Joseph used the same mask with the black nose as his father-in-law Polo Rivel.

The circus year in review is an annual review published on this website by the end of each year.

28 December 2016

On his back for the Pope. Usually one kneels in front of the Pope. But the young Danish bouncing-juggler David Sosman is as you can laying on his back in front of the Pope, while he juggles. David is currently participating in the Golden Circus Festival Internazionale di Roma Capitale. It was in this context that he performed for the Pope.

28 December 2016

Louise Mandrup to Circus Trapez. From inquiries to a number of municipalities you ca see that Louise Mandrup who for a few years was marketing manager at Circus Benneweis, in the forthcoming season is working for Isabella Enoch’s Circus Trapez. Louise has admitted that she missed the circus world after she chose to stop at Benneweis by the end of season 2014. It will be interesting to see if her good friend from the  Benneweis-years Judy Glosted also will be with Circus Trapez.

28 December 2016

The Swedish Circus Maximum continues to publish the names etc. of some of the performers for season 2017. Recently they have written

• that the high wire act Alambria is a trio

• that Anton Frank will present donkeys and

• that Kimo will do Egyptian dance.

23 December 2016

Russian Circus on Ice to Copenhagen and Aarhus. Wednesday 15 February the Russian Circus on Ice Hall has performance in the Concert Hall in Aarhus and the day after at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. The advance publicity writes:

The Russian "Circus on Ice" takes the audience on a magical journey into a fantasy and adventures world, with an impressive staged new ice show 'The Snow Queen'.

A classic tale of friendship, love and bravery.

Kai and Gerda’s best childhood friends, but when Kai is spelled by the evil Snow Queen, Gerda heads out on a magical adventure to rescue him from her evil spell.

The Snow Queen is beautifully retold in a new and exciting way. The Russian Circus on Ice is famous for its international ice- stars, dancers, circus performers, beautiful costumes and scenery that create a real spectacle.

The artistry and technical perfection on skates! With grace, beauty, and elegance and with incredible ease the audience is carried into a fantastic world of adventure.

The show is on European tour and visit in season 2016-2017 more than 60 cities in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

19 December 2016

Contemporary Circus Performances in Denmark. The winter months offer some interesting contemporary performances in Denmark.

Cirque Éloize with Cirkopolis. The Canadian circus company Cirque Éloize visits in January the Concert Hall in Aarhus with their performance Cirkopolis. The advance publicity states:

Dive into the poetic and acrobatic universe of Cirkopolis. With Cirkopolis, Cirque Éloize takes their breathtaking blend of circus arts, theatre and dance to a highly-stylized metropolis setting where multidisciplinary artists rebel against monotony, reinvent themselves, and challenge the limits of the factory-city as only they can. Performing within an inventive stage design and accompanied by an original musical score and video projections, they live in a world where fantasy defies reality—the veil of anonymity and solitude is lifted and replaced by bursts of humour and colour. Cirkopolis transforms the classic film Metropolis into a virtuosic circus spectacle for the whole family.

There are performances 13 and 14 January.

Press photos from Cirque Eloize

GLiMT with frames. On 11 January, the Danish contemporary circus company GLiMT has premiere on the show Frames (in Danish: Rammer) at Morsø Theatre in Nykøbing M.

GLiMT is a professional performing arts company established in 2002 by Camila Sarrazin and Lars Lindegaard Gregersen. GLiMT combines contemporary circus, dance and physical theatre in order to create new and challenging performances that raise important questions about our society and the time we live in. Through the years GLiMT has produced 15 performances of varying scale, received great acclaim from both audiences and press and toured in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia and Chile.

Until the end of 2006 GLiMT was based in Barcelona and toured primarily with ”open air” performances in southern Europe. This brought with it a large network of theatres, festivals and artists, which GLiMT has retained. In the end of 2006, the company moved to Denmark, and began to focus more on black box and site-specific performances.

Frames is a co-production by GLiMT, Limfjordsteatret and Vendsyssel Theatre. In the publicity material they write (my translation):

We follow a man, a woman and a foreigner, in their way through society and its social rules. Through solitude, freedom and work paves the way for their dreams of relationship, community and success. Their separate stories is mixed more and more like a violent whirlwind that merge and give a moment of polaroid picture on our society and the individuals state in the present.

What happens when we hit? Both each other's frames and the society’s frames.

When we stumble into the invisible framework we have set for ourselves and each other, we will be hit by the consequences of a highly complex society, there has to get an incredible number of individuals to live together.

Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, the Internet, social media and the growing exchange between cultures, make social rules more complicated than ever before, while our brains are mainly the same as 10,000 years ago. The brain is constantly in the process of interpreting the impression about how others behave and how our own behavior should be.

Social rules are necessary for the functioning of society, but is there a limit? – Where these rules are so advanced that our brains can no longer keep up?

And what happens then? With us as individuals and the society as a whole?

Honestly, not quite easy to understand! It seems important for GLiMT and a number of other contemporary circus companies that their performances not is seen as pure entertainment, but also as a minister in the church is preaching a message.

The performers in the show are Liv Mikaela Sanz, Bo Madvig and John Simon Wiborn.

After the premiere in Nykøbing Mors the show will visit a number of Danish cities:  Hjorring, Sønderborg, Vostrup, Roskilde, Aalborg, Holstebro, Elsinore, Hørsholm, Odense, Vejle and Herning. Is seems likely that the show later will tour abroad.

19 December 2016

Circus Cikör on tour in Norway. The leading Nordic contemporary circus is undoubtedly the Swedish Circus Cikör. It was started in 1995 by Tilde Björfors and some other artists who in Paris had fallen in love with the contemporary circus and the opportunities it offers.

Today, 21 years later, more than 2 million visitors have seen one of Circus Cirkör’s performances on stages and festivals in all continents except Antarctica. They have also visited Copenhagen several times.

Their latest show is called Limits.

Until 5 February the performance can be seen at the Dance House in Stockholm in Dance House. Then there will be a to Marseille in France before it March 1 starts a tour in Norway where it will be visiting Bærum (1 to 4 March), Harstad (8 March), Bodo (March 14), Fosnavåg (March 20), Drammen (28 to 29 March), Larvik (April 2), Nøtterøy (April 7), Skien (April 26), Haugesund (2 and 3 May) and Sandnes (6 and 7 May).

From May 10 to 14 are in Norrköping in Sweden and from 7 to 10 June in New York. Later they continue their Norwegian tour with performances in Fredrikstad on September 14 to 16, Gjovik on 26 and 27 September and in Harstad on 1 October.

Press photo from Circus Cikör

I quote from Circus Cikörs website:

In 2015 Cirkus Cirkör celebrated its 20th anniversary of crossing boundaries! Under the artistic leadership of Tilde Björfors, Cirkus Cirkör has consistently explored and defied limits through performances and research projects, as well as through the interactions of circus and society, audiences and participants. In light of Europe's ever-tightening boundaries against the world beyond its borders, and the consequences that closed borders bring in their wake, Cirkus Cirkör's voice as an advocate for crossing boundaries has grown stronger. After seeing Cirkör's 2015 production ”Borders”, the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter's reviewer proclaimed Cirkus Cirkör the creator of a new genre: contemporary circus activism.

In the new production, Limits, the work and questions continue: Are limits real or imaginary? Are they a dead end, or a motivation to search for new paths? Someone has drawn up lines and divided the world into various delimited areas. We build fences around our gardens, walls, barricades, place armed soldiers around our countries. But human beings have never wanted to stay in one and the same place.

In classic Cirkus Cirkör style, Limits will turn perspectives on their heads. With energy, a focus on what is possible and cocky commitment a world of fleeing, migration and new frontiers is balanced against the artists's individual limits in terms of risk, pain, the imitations of the group and of the body. Stepping over boundaries is hard without moments of chaos and disorder, but the state of today's world demands new approaches!

Limits is conceived and directed Tilde Björfors, Cirkus Cirkör's founder and artistic director, who is also the director behind most of Cirkus Cirkör's major successes such as Borders, Knitting Peace, Wear it like a crown and Inside out. Besides being at the helm of Cirkus Cirkör, Tilde has held a professorship at the School of Dance and Circus in Stockholm, where she presented the research project Circus as transgressor in art and society. 

Among the cast of Limits are the young teeterboard artists Anton Graaf and Einar Kling-Odencrants, who recently won the gold medal at the prestigious Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. The ensemble also includes the contortionist Manda Rydman who, among other things, participated in Cirkörs’s Wear it like a crown, the hand to hand acrobat and juggler Peter Åberg and his aerial acrobatic partner Saara Ahola, both recently seen in Borders. The music is composed by Samuel Andersson, who was also the composer behind Cirkus Cirkör’s previous performances Knitted Piece, Knitting Peace and Borders.

14 December 2016

Circus Maximum 2017. The large Swedish Circus Maximum has published some of the names of the performers in their upcoming show. They will amongst other acts present the high wire act Alambria with ”thrilling excitement under the circus dome”. It is probably at duo. Click here to see a video clip with Duo Alambria from 2016.

Another aerial act is Alex Lichtner (Alexander Lichtner) in swing trapeze. The act ends with balance on a bit in Washington trapeze. Click here to see a video clip from the Swiss Circus Royal in 2015.

The audience will also meet Diorios and their globe of death, this time with 4 motorcycles in the globe. When they last time was at Maximum - it was in 2015 - there were "only" three motorcycles in the globe. Diorios has several troupes.  The one which in 2015 toured Denmark with Circus Arena, managed to have 7 motorcycles in the globe at the same time.

In 2015 Diorios had 3 riders in the globe of death in Circus Maximums ring. Next year there will be 4 bikes in the globe

13 December 2016

Circus in television. If you can see Swedish television channel SVT1 will on New Year’s Eve at 20 broadcast the 2016 performance from Swedish Circus Maximum. It will be rebroadcasted Sunday 1 January 1 2017 at 7:20.

8 December 2016

Circus Maximum 2017. The 2017-performance in the Swedish Circus Maximum will be called "Surpreme" and is presented as follows (my translation):

"A quality production in 2017 from Circus Maximum, where you among other things, will meet Diorio’s cool motorcycles in the globe, comical entrées with the clown Francesco, a thrilling high wire act, a stylish aerial act and donkeys and funny dogs. All in the wonderful Maximum style – the best circus in Sweden!".

Season opening in Älvsered north of Gothenburg 30 March.

Rumors have said that circus owner Bengt Källquist following an audience wise weak season in 2016 considered to take a break in 2017. But this is fortunately not the case. The clown Francesco was also with Maximum in 2016. But he has many entrées so it will not be repetitions we will see in 2017.

Francesco in Circus Maximum 2016. Photo: Roy Himsel

8 December 2016

Circus Trapez 2017. Isabella Enoch Sosman’s Circus Trapez writes (my translation):

On 1 January 2017 we open up for our ticket sale for the forthcoming season and it is also the time when we reveal next year's final program. But already now we will like to reveal some of the content.

Look forward to a performance, where there once again are lots of animals - and perhaps some animals, you do not expect to meet in a circus! There will be fun and spas with clowns, a dangerous aerial act, an artist doing the impossible when hanging in her hair, balancing, juggling and an equilibristic bicycle artist. We also have a little extra surprise. And we are very proud that next year we can present Circus Trapez’ very own live band.

Circus Trapeze will visit 81 cities in Jutland and on Funen.

Before the tent season starts circus owner Isabella Enoch Sosman produce as in previous years winter circus in a number of arenas in Jutland.

8 December 2016

Kim Benneweis 60 years. Tuesday 6 December Kim Benneweis turned 60. As son of Sonny Benneweis and his first spouse Lis Tolver Jensen it was obvious that he, like his two younger siblings Miller and Jaqueline would get his upbringing in Circus Benneweis, where Sonny taught both Kim and Miller how to train and present horses, elephants and other animals. When Sonny Benneweis died in 1979, it was natural that Kim and Miller took over their fathers acts. Kim concentrated primarily on elephants and Miller on horses.

Year after year Kim Benneweis, often assisted by his wife at that time Kirsten, impressed the audience with new and beautiful elephant acts. Both in Denmark and when they were on tour in e.g. Germany or Japan during the winter season.

In 1994, there was an episode in Nyborg, where the elephant Siam attacked Kim Benneweis, who was beaten but escaped without lasting harm. Aside from Kim and an elderly man who broke his arm, no one was injured. The incident received wide media coverage and was probably blown up to much more than it was. Rumors abroad even told that the elephant had killed Kim.

The following year, in 1995, Kim stopped in Circus Benneweis and was in for a while truck driver.

But he missed circus life, and Benny Berdino from Circus Arena gave him prior to season in 1997 an offer he found interesting. Kim Benneweis worked for Circus Arena from 1997 to 2001. The first year with an exotic animal group, the following years with elephants which were trained by and hired from the Italian Togni family's American Circus. The acts were quite good, but an animal trainer will never get the same relationship with rented animals as with animals he has trained himself. The level from the years in Benneweis was never reached. Kim’ younger brother Miller Benneweis presented horses in Circus Arena from 1998 to 2001.

Prior to the season 2002 both brothers told Circus Arena, that they did not want to be part of the team in season 2002. Kim Benneweis was instead boss canvasman for the large Swedish Circus Scott. In 2004 and 2005 he assisted Diana Benneweis with putting the performances in Benneweis on stage but was not with Benneweis during their tour. Later he was for a period associated with the now closed No Name Circus in the northern part of Jutland, just as in a period in 2009 worked in Circus Arena’s winter quarter. For part of season 2010 he worked for the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack.

In last couple of years he has lived in Dronningmoelle, a few hundred meters from the old Benneweis winter quarter. He works for Henrik Moller, former elephant groom with Benneweis, who today runs the company Dronningmoelle Camel Rental. In addition to camels they have also have pigs, goats, dogs and donkeys.

8 December 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS - CIRQUE ARLETTE GRUSS -- a marvellous experience at a circus that is completely original!!

As always, CIRQUE ARLETTE GRUSS is present at the Christmas-season,  ARLETTE'S son GILBERT GRUSS has created a fantastic show, together with his team:  fast, elegant, interesting and hilarious: Roberto Rosello, costumes, Antony Saugé, music, Fabrice Vallon, photos, Kevin Sagau, Ringmaster.

The program: 

Charivari with all the artists, Ingo Stiebner presenting his hilarious sea lions, John Vernuccio-Togni featuring  beautiful exotics including 4 Indian elephants carrying elegant chorus girls on their backs,  Helena Polach, juggling footballs at a brisk pace, she is a beauty and very sure at her juggling, -  Gunter Sacckman featuring rats and even bigger rodents, very funny, - Kevin Gruss and Julia Friedrich, pleasant acrobatic dancing, - Linda Biasini-Grüss and Laura-Maria Grüss presenting  well-kept and nicely working horses, - Alexis Hurtado and Kevin Gruss performing an original laser-act, - Trio Stoian on Russian bar.

Ingo Stiebner dancing with one of his sea lions. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Arlette Gruss. Photographer: Fabrice Vallon

The football juggler Helena Polach. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Arlette Gruss. Photographer: Fabrice Vallon

The clowns ANDRE and BELLINI, together with KEVIN SAGAU interfere with their funny clowning.

Gregory Bellini. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Arlette Gruss. Photographer: Fabrice Vallon

After intermission:  Ramon Kathriner on sloping highwire, also over the lions cage - Manuel Farina's lion and tigers, 3 male lions and 2 tigers, joyful and good-looking.

Duo Olivares in straps, perfect and pleasing, -Alex Fly Chaix performing with a remote-controlled aircraft, - FMX RIDERS displaying acrobatics on flying motor bikes!!!

The above mentioned clowns perform in this part of the program as well.

Manuel Farina with two of his lions. Photo by courtesy of Cirque Arlette Gruss. Photographer: Fabrice Vallon

All in all - an unforgettable experience at CIRQUE ARLETTE GRUSS!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.cirque-gruss.com

..................................................   reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

1 December 2016

Cirque du Soleil to Denmark with the show Varekai. The successful Canadian new wave circus Cirque du Soleil visits Copenhagen from 23 to 26th March 2017. They present the performance Varakai in Copenhagen's new super arena the Royal Arena, which opens in February 2017.

As always in a Cirque du Soleil show there is a kind of story in the performance, although it often can be a little difficult to follow the main thread! About Varekai Cirque du Soleil writes:

Deep within a forest atop a volcano, exists an extraordinary world, where anything is possible: Varekai... From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story begins. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.

Whether you fully understand the story or not Cirque du Soleil is always presenting beautiful and spectacular shows with excellent artists.

Cirque du Soleil visited first time Copenhagen in 2001 when they presented the show Quidam in a special designed tent. Since 2009 they have several times visited Denmark with arena-versions of their shows. Their audience is more the adult (theater) audience than the traditional family audience which visits the Danish circuses. Ticket prices are high: from 530 to 650 DKK, equivalent to from 70 to 86 Euro. A ticket to a Danish circus will cost less than the half.

30 November 2016

The Danish artist Viggo Salting is current having a new exhibition at Amsterdam Whitnye in New York. Viggo Salting exhibits a series of new paintings depicting the Clown. The clown is based on Viggo Salting’s studies and many years of inspiration from experiences in the circus world at home in Denmark and abroad.

Since debut his in New York in 2009 is the fifth time that master of clowns returns to New York. The Americans welcomes Salting’s interpretation of the clown, who is the artist's search for the men in clown.

2009 Debut on Broadway Gallery (group exhibition)

2011 Amsterdam Whitnye Fine Art Inc. (group exhibition)

2012 Ward-Nasse Gallery (solo exhibition)

2014 Amsterdam Whitnye Fine Art Inc. (Group Exhibition)

2016 Amsterdam Whitnye Fine Art Inc. (Group Exhibition)

The exhibition is this time from December 9 to January 31, 2017

Viggo Salting is working on his paintings in his studio in France. Here he finds space and time to break new ground and to experiment.

One of the exhibited paintings

Viggo Salting made earlier this year the painting which was the visible symbol of the Danish Circus Award in 2016 and the logo for the award. He has also made many of the posters for Danish Circus Krone and decorated their office trailer.

29 November 2016

Bonbon at the clown festival. Denmark today's most internationally renowned clown Bonbon aka Lasse Noerager and Mrs. Tiina has just been part of the 9th World Festival of Clowns in Yekaterinburg in Russia. Click here to see a video clip from Russian television. The clip with Bonbon comes around 3½ minutes into the broadcast. Unlike the Danish television channels who believe that baking and cooking and dance competitions have greater cultural value than circus and theatre Russian television bring regularly clips from circus performances.

Bonbon and Tiina in the ring. "Typically Russian "state circus" building with lots of permanent staff, a 16-piece band and a private doctor consultation in the backyard” Lasse says.

"Circus in Greenland and the Festival in Ekaterinburg are probably the only places in the world where circus artists can experience the status of rock stars and risk being trampled by autograph hunters!" Lasse says and sends me the photo below.

Autograph-hunters after the performance ....

Lasse Noerager and Tiina will soon start preparations for season two for Sirkus Jesper in Cardamom Town in Kristiansand Zoo in Norway. Lasse writes: "The show, which is a combination of well-written children's theater and professional circus, was so well received by the audience and not least by the Egner family, which has the rights to everything that happens in Cardamom Town, that we will continue with the same performance and circus acts. However, we will not rest on our laurels but use our energies to optimize this year's show with even more whimsical details. In addition, we almost triple the number of performances in 2017. "

Sirkus Jesper opening parade 2016. All photos courtesy of Lasse Noerager

27 November 2016

Just as in 2015 the Danish bike acrobat Jimmy Enoch spends most of December in Ravensburg in Germany where he is both boss canvas man and artist in Ravensburger Christmas Circus. Last year he presented his glass balance act. This year it will be his bike acrobatic act the audience will get to see.

Among the other performers are Jimmy Folco, known as resident clown in Danish Circus Arena, and gold clown winners Desire of Flight, who toured with the Norwegian circus Arnardo part of the season in 2016 until an injury made them unable to work. But now they should again be fit for fight.

24 November 2016

Laughter and roaring lions in Circus Baldoni 2017. René Moenster will call his 2017 performance for Laughter and roaring lions. However, the lion will only be his ventriloquist doll Leonardo as we in Denmark has a ban against acts with big cats.

René Moenster writes (my translation):

The tour will begin in mid-March and lasts until the end of August. Then the tour will continue to the Faroe Islands.

The tour list will be published in February.

In 2017 it is 15 years since I started Circus Baldoni. We have therefore made even greater efforts to put together a hell of a show titled: Laughter and lion roaring lions.

As the title describes, there will be lots of funny acts and as something extra we have managed to get the amazing acrobats Mombasa Boys back.

Comfort-wise there is also something exciting because we now change all the benches to plastic bucket seats.

It is therefore with extra great pleasure that Leonardo and I open up for our 15th anniversary season.

Circus Baldoni had Kenyan acrobats in performances in 2004 and in 2007. The best troupe was the 2004-troupe which was headed by Emmanuel Zuma. It is Emmnuel who is back as leader of the troupe we can meet in Baldoni in 2017. In 2004 his troupe had several entrées: juggling with hats, jumping through hoops, limbo-dancing and human pyramids.

The African acrobats Mombasa Boys in 2004

Season 2017 offers also a reunion with Mr. Jumping (Peytchev Plamen Metodiev) and his spouse Fatime (Fatime Horvath) with comical trampoline and cats. The couple was last time with Baldoni in 2011. New in Circus Baldoni are Mr. and Mrs. Dittmar, whose act the audience in Jutland and Funen could see in Danish Circus Krone in 2016. They toured also with Circus Arena in 2008 and Danish Circus Krone in 2004, but since then their act have become much better! The have also been with German Circus Flic Flac. Finally, Eddie (Eduard) and Maria Janacek are back again, but with new acts. Among other things, Eddie and Daniel will make some clown entrées together - Eddie is a good clown and a skilled musician. And of course, the clown Danilo (Daniel Dimitrijevic) and his girlfriend Cindy and René Moenster and his lion Leonardo is also amongst the performers.

Fatime. Photo from the Circus Festival in Budapest in 2014

Roland Nemeth and Dittmar in Circus Krone in 2016

23 November 2016

Baldoni's Christmas Circus 2016. There was a full house at the fencing hall behind the Circus Museum in Hvidovre when season opened on Saturday 19 November for Baldoni's Christmas Circus. It is the only real Christmas circus in Denmark.

As usual, there was a story in the performance: Pixie Line (Cindy Binau Nielsen) had got a cold and sneezed all the time. Santa Claus (René Moenster) got the message that the Christmas gift wrapping machine in Greenland had broken down and packed Christmas pixies instead of gifts. Santa Claus cured Pixie Line’s Lines cold with a magic mixture making it possible for her and Teasing Pixie (Daniel Dimitrijevic) to present the show, while Santa went to Greenland to repair the packaging machine. For the rest of the performance Pixie Line and Teasing Pixie were the recurring characters.

Santa Claus prepares a magic mixture for to Pixie Line

First artist in the ring was a pixie (Daniel Koscik) with a parrot which could ring a bell, play basketball, get money in a piggy bank, hoist a flag and much more. Even fill water to its car when the car was broken. The parrot act was commented by a talking pixie (Suzanne Berdino).

After an interlude with Teasing Pixie and the ventriloquist’s doll the pig Anton Antonius, another pixie (Eduard Janacek) came cycling into the ring on a tiny bike. After that he die chair balance up to 5 chairs high.

Then followed a "don’t play here" -entrée with Teasing Pixie using his iPhone and Pixie Line.

Teasing Pixie was followed by a skilled hula-hoop pixie (Charmaine Berdino).

After the interval Teasing Pixie tried to do magic. The classic trick with a red figure and a yellow figure (for the occasion Santas) which switch place. Children could of course easily see how it was done until Teasing Pixie finally conjured the Santas to a yellow and a green Santa Claus.

Then Eduard Janacek was back with elegant plate spinning and ended up with 10 plates in spin.

Teasing Pixie and Nisse Line had then an entrée where they did pixie TV.

Suzanne Berdino then came back in the ring with a nice act with 4 happy and playful dogs of various breeds.

There was now taken an empty cage into the ring and Teasing Pixie conjured two small pixies out from the empty cage and ended conjuring Nisse Line away.

One of the small pixies Kaya Janacek then presented a very nice rola bola number. He has had a good teacher in his father Eduard and has a lot of charisma and talent.

After two hours it was time for the grand finale. The applause proved that the audience had felt very good entertained. Click here to see a number of excellent photos from the performance shot by Jacob Boas Leitisstein.

My 8 year old granddaughter’s girlfriend Mathilde said after the show that she wanted to work in the circus when she grows up!

Baldoni's Christmas Circus will in the coming weeks visit 10 cities on Zealand and Falster.

18 November 2016

It was an excellent and highly entertaining lecture when the Danish magician Kim Kenneth – the Dane in the fast lane – on 17 November at the circus museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen told about his so far 28 years as illusionist on the international stage.

From that modest start at a magic competition on the open air stage at the Danish amusement park Bakken to jobs in leading circuses and night clubs all over Europe. On a question about whether he had dreamed of going to America the answer was a clear no. "They have so many great illusionists over there that it would be stupid to bring all my equipment to the United States."

Currently, Kim is in Denmark after a year with performances abroad. In December, he shall first participate in a number of galas in Paris and later present his act in Christmas Circus in Ahoy in Rotterdam. In January and February he is back in Denmark. In March, Kim and his partner and girlfriend Jessica will go to the Netherlands, where he is the star in a show at the amusement park Slagharen with premiere on April 1st and close of season at the end of October. So it will be another busy year for the Dane in the fast lane!

14 November 2016

Cabaret Candy Club in Malmö and Helsingborg. Since 2011 Cabaret Candy Club has every season presented at performance in Helsingborg in the southern part of Sweden. The manager is the young Albin Ganovic, born in 1994, who also in 2013 and 2014 produced a Christmas circus in Helsingborg. However his Christmas circus had despite good performances not the necessary business success. But Albin and the association Candy Club continues to produce cabaret performances (music hall performances), which this year is presented first in Malmö (11 and 12 November) and then in Helsingborg (17, 18 and 19 November and 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 December). Apart from Albin Ganovic the audience meets

Candy Diva aka the singer Josefine Sebring

Guzalnur Ugqun coming from circus school in Shanghai and presenting "candle balance".

Duo Moressa coming from Italy and presenting a crossbow and knife throwing act

Pricilla Errani, who comes from the well-known Errani family, which Danes know from several seasons in Circus Dannebrog. In Cabaret Candy Club she presents her hula hoop entrée. She did this act in Circus Dannebrog and in the winter performances in Enoch’s Circus Show in Denmark in 2013. Pricilla is also the female partner in Duo Moressa who’s other half is her spouse Marco Moressa who the Danes has met as a juggler both in Circus Dannebrog and in Enoch’s Circus Show

Pricilla Errani. Photo from Enoch's Circus Show 2013

Furthermore, the audience meets the 6 dancers “Candy Girls”. And there's live music: the 6-piece band “Candy Boys”.

"Very entertaining and good!" Martin Lasson Berglund writes about this year's show.

Link to video teaser

See more: www.candyclub.se

12 November 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- the Christmas circus-shows start in October, then they play into January, or a bit longer.

CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE proudly presents, as usual, a wonderful program, that well suits the beautiful, newly refurbished circus premises.

Maestro PIERRE NOUVEAU leads his circus band to accompany the acts; Ringmaster MICHEL PALMER is a sympathetic MC, the elegant and beautiful ballet SALTO DANCERS punctuate the show at several occasions, fitting well into this circus show, having a perfect P.A. system, lighting and sound enhancing this performance.

Salto Dancers. All photos by courtesy of Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione. Photographer: Domique Secher

ALBERTO CAROLI, clown, appears in several acts, making good use of his authoritarian comedy skill. He appears in a kind of dinner-jacket/tuxedo outfit, without having a white make-up. He is nephew to the famous white-faced clown FRANCESCO CAROLI. Some years ago Alberto too was white-faced clown, using the very same clown-mask as his uncle and some of his uncle's costumes.

The Spanish clown TOTTI ALEXIS is a talented clown, very funny, having numerous comedy stunts and excels when playing the trumpet. In Scandinavia he has appeared in both the Danish Circus Dannebrog (2011) and the Swedish Circus Maximum (2012).

Totti Alexis

SCOTT and MURIEL feature absolutely original big illusions, at a fast pace and with much comedy and excellent audience contact.

Scott and Muriel

RENE and ALEXIA CASSELLY present beautiful elephants and horses, the audience remains breathless when their son RENE JR, performs a triple salto from a springboard, moved by an elephant, up to the back of the biggest one - BRAVO!! The Casselly toured for several seasons, last time in 2012 with the Danish Circus Arena. In 2012 they was awarded a golden clown in Monte Carlo.

The Casselly-family

A and A - are two hand-to-hand acrobats, combining strength and precision.

VICTORIA BOUGLIONE features a beautiful hula hoop entrée.

MATT and VALENTINA perform a breath-taking roller-skate act.

LES MELECHIN   present a hand-to-hand act, combined with rola bola, never seen before.

Les Melechin

LES GARCIA has a stunning and elegant aerial act, which they perform hanging under the rocket, out of which they appear at the start. In Scandinavia, Pablo and Victoria Garcia have presented their great act In Circus Arena in 2001, in Circus Dannebrog in 2008 and 2014 and in Circus Maximum in 2010. In 2013, they presented a comical version of the act with an airplane in Circus Benneweis.

Garcias

This is circus at its best, second to none - absolutely worth seeing - and worthy of the name SURPRISE 

As it appears from the name, the circus shows are featured in Paris' sumptuous winter circus, CIRQUE D'HIVER, being 164 years old, it is probably the oldest circus building in Europe.

The season ends on FEB, 28, 2017.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.cirquedhiver.com

www.clowntotti.com

www.scottandmuriel.com

-----------------------------------------  reported by  ZARRO ZARRO.

10 November 2016

A magical evening. On Monday 7 November the magician and magic article dealer Steen Pegani and his team had for the 13th year in row invited to a friendly and festive magical evening in company of magicians from all around Denmark. The event took place in Copenhagen’s “New Theatre”. The theatre was built 1908 and has never changed its name although is now is more than 100 years old. In addition to Steen Peganis own dealer show the guest saw FISM winner Norbert Ferré from France and the comedy magician Gazzo (Gary Osbourne) from UK. FISM is a shortening for Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques.

9 November 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  LE THEATRE DU ROND-POINT proudly presents an elegant and enthralling acrobatic show, called BEYOND, which means that the performers aim to go further than  all that  we usually see, viz. concerning the possible expressions by the human body.

Photo by courtesy of Theatre de Rond-Point. Photographer: Andy Phillipson

In THEATRE DU ROND-POINT, 745 seats, located near Champs-Elysées, we saw aerial ballet, acrobatic pyramids, Chinese pole, a very original hula hoop-act, trapeze - everything featured with comedy, pace and rhythm.

Photo by courtesy of Theatre de Rond-Point. Photographer: Dylan Evans

This company, CIRCA, hails from Australia, direction YARON LIFSCHITZ, all members excel in tempo-acrobatics, enthusiasm and the final outcome is - a lot of fun - the audience enthralled and it is a great success!!

The entire performance boils down to a combination of physical strength, the joy of performing - everything related to hilarious situations.

Photos by courtesy of Theatre de Rond-Point. Photographer: Richard Daveport

The performance can be seen until 27 November.

Le Theatre du Rond-Point features shows that goes further than what we usually see!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.theatredurondpoint.fr

-----------------------------------  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

3 November 2016

Obituary: Oleg Popov. The world famous Russian clown Oleg Popov passed away on 2 November in Rostov-on-Don as a result of a heart attack. He was 86 years. He was known as the "sunshine clown". In 1981 he was awarded a golden clown in Monte Carlo.

That same year Popov was for the first time in Denmark. It was with Circus Benneweis in the Copenhagen Circus Building where he immediately became the star of the season.

Oleg Popov was back in the Copenhagen Circus Building in 1987. I 1998 he got The World Artist and Clown Award in connection with the international clown festival in the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen. In 1999 he toured Denmark with Circus Arena.

2 November 2016

Circus Arena 2017. Circus Arena is the first circus in the Nordic to release the program for season 2017. They write (my translation):

Diana Vedyashkina and her seven dachshunds.

Duo Costache balances and performs acrobatics with each other

Ekaterina Karmashova floats like a phoenix in the circus heaven from trapeze to trapeze.

Award winning Encho buckles with his muscles and present superhuman handstand.

Mysterious Mr. Jidinis snaps his illusions and magic forward

Arenas very own clown Jimmy Folco is back with a fairy tale mix.

Elephants and horses from Circus Arena's own stables.

Keryazov Brothers invites you to dance in an imaginative combination of acrobatics and breakdancing.

Gravity is for a moment put aside when Kris Kremo is juggling.

Pierre Marchand captivates everyone when he with 100 km per hour moves the bar for what can be done with a diabolo.

Motor Mille present the fun in the circus ring from 22 March to 31 May 2017. From 1 June to 10 August she leaves the task to the Dane’s favorite Bubber

There's opening night at Bellahoj in Copenhagen on Wednesday 22 March 2017 with dress rehearsals from 17 to 19 March. Arena will stay in Copenhagen to and including 9 April.

Diana Vedyashkina and her dachshunds were with Benneweis a few weeks in 2007. In 2014 she presented her act in the Swedish Circus Scott.

Duo Costache presented their perch act in the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2008 and 2016.

Perch numbers are a rarity today. Duo Costache’s act is both good and spectacular. Photo from Circus Brazil Jack 2016. Click here to se a video clip

Ekaterina Karmashova was also with Arena in 2015 and 2016. The first year she appeared in trapeze. In 2016 she did a bungee trapeze act.

Encho Keryazov presented for the first time his formidable handstand act in Circus Arena in 2006. Before that he had been member of a jockey troupe. At the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo in 2007 he got a silver clown and the audience award. He had deserved a golden clown! Since then he has performed in leading circus e.g. for several seasons in the German Circus Roncalli. In 2014 he was with Knie in Switzerland. Encho is 43 years old.

Encho in Monte Carlo 2016. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The magician Jidinis is well-known in Denmark. The first time we met him was in Circus Benneweis in 1998. In 2001 and 2003 he could be seen at the open air stage in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. In 2008 he was back in Denmark touring with Circus Benneweis. Season 2013 he toured with Swedish Circus Scott. In 2014 he was with Circus Arena.

Jidinis with the sawing a woman in half trick. Photo from Circus Scott in 2013, where he was assisted by the clown brothers Steve and Jones Caveagna.

The two young Keryazov Brothers has never before presented their act in Denmark. They are probably sons of Encho and Dima Keryazov.

First time the Danes met the gentleman juggler Kris Kremo was in 1992 at the open air stage in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens in 1992. Since, he has spent two more seasons in Tivoli, one season with Circus Benneweis and one season with Swedish Circus Scott. He is son of another famous juggler, Bela Kremo, and had his debut as a professional juggler in 1970. He got a silver clown in Monte Carlo in 1981. His specialty is juggling with three items: balls, hats and cigar boxes. The elegant juggler has now turned 65, but age is no barrier to a world star like him.

Kris Kremo in Monte Carlo 2016. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Both Kris Kremo and Encho participated in the 40th Circus Festival in Monte Carlo this year, which was celebrated under the slogan the best of the best.

Pierre Marchand has not previously performed in Denmark. But he's a world star, who for many years performed at the Lido in Paris. In 2015 he was with the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack.

Pierre Marchand in Circus Brazil Jack

Motor Mille, whose real name is Mille Gori, is a popular Danish TV host from children’s programs. She has also for several seasons been amongst the top stars in Circus Summarum, which is owned by DR television’s Big Band’s and the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. The Summarum-performances are not circus, but a children's theatre that takes place in a circus environment.  The reason why Mille stops with Arena from 1 June is that she also in 2017 will perform in Circus Summarum.

In May this year DR television’s children's channel Ramasjang recorded 6 broadcasts with Motor Mille visiting a number of Danish circuses: Arena, Arli, Baldoni, Mascot, Krone and Holbæk’s children and youth circus Kaephoj. The broadcast with Mille in circus will probably be broadcasted in spring 2017 just prior to the start of the circus season. Not bad PR for Circus Arena! Mille was born 1989.

Motor Mille. Photo from her visit to Circus Arli in 2016

Bubber was ringmaster in Circus Arena in the years 1990 to 1998. He was at that time well-known and popular by all children as the host of children's TV programs Bubbers Bath and Bugs Bunny's Sunday Club. In recent years he has been the host of adult programs in TV. He has also been the host of children's programs at DR Ultra. He take as mentioned  over the task at ringmaster over from 1 June to 10 August. Bubber was born in 1964.

31 October 2016

True to tradition the talented children and youngsters from Odense’s youth circus Flik Flak presented Halloween circus Sunday before Halloween. Photo: "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen. Click here to see more of Per’s photos and video clips from the show

29 October 2016

Gold for Michael Ferreri and silver for his younger brother Steven Ferreri. At the prestigious European Youth Circus Festival in 2016 in Wiesbaden, which took place October 13 to 16, the juggler Michael Ferreri won gold in the age group 18 to 25 years. In 2015 he got silver at the junior festival in Monte Carlo. The Danes met him in Circus Arena in 2015. In 2016 he was with the Norwegian Circus Arnardo. At the Wiesbaden festival, there was a silver medal for his younger brother the tightrope walker Steven Ferreri, in the age group up to 17 years. He also received Prize of "Gesellschaft der Circusfreunde e. V." Steven Ferreri could in September this year be seen in Isabella Enoch’s Danish Circus Trapez. The talented brothers' father, the tight wire acrobat Miguel Ferreri, toured Denmark in 2007 with Circus Benneweis.

Top: Micael Ferreri Circus Arena 2015. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press. Below: Steven Ferreri in Circus Arnado.

28 October 28

Baldoni's Christmas Circus. The owner of Circus Baldoni René Moenster has again this year 3 different units of Circus Pixie Fun on tour in Denmark giving performances for kindergartens etc. The two units which tour Zealand will sometime be combined and make a 2-hour show under the name Baldoni's Christmas Circus.

Grand finale at last year's performance

Among the performers at this year's show is Eduard and Maria Janacek, who also was part of last year's Christmas circus performance and during the summer toured with Circus Baldoni with juggling, rola bola and hula-hoop. With them in the Christmas show they have their 9-year-old son Kaya, who does rola bola. He made his debut in the end of the tent season, where he was part of Baldoni’s shows with schoolchildren. "He will probably be the hit of the performance. He is very charming and talented," René Moenster tells. In the Pixie Fun performances the Janacek family teams up with René’s deputy Daniel (the clown Danilo) and Cindy.

Mrs. Maria helps Eduard Janacek getting hold of cigar boxes. Photo from Baldoni's Christmas Circus 2015

René Moenster’s own team in Circus Pixie Fun, which is also will be part of Baldoni's Christmas Circus is with Suzanne Berdino and her dogs and her spouse Daniel with his Ara parrot "Gøje". Suzanne's daughter Charmaine will be doing hula hoop.

Suzanne Berdino with her dogs. Photo from Baldoni's winter circus in Ishøj Shopping Center

The third unit of Circus Pixie Fun, which mainly tours in Jutland, is headed by Martin Maiböll (Texas Jack). With him he has Agne Zoboviene from Latvia and her daughter. Agne is an all-round artist and was with Baldoni’s Christmas circus and Circus Pixie Fun some years ago. But this year she and her daughter will only by with Circus Pixie Fun not in Baldoni's Christmas Circus.

Baldoni's Christmas Circus has opening day in the fencing hall behind the Circus Museum in Hvidovre on Saturday 19 November 19. Subsequently they have performances in a number of cities on Zealand: Kalundborg, Faxe, Slagelse, Køge, Albertslund, Nykøbing F and Næstved.

25 October 2016

The Dane in the fast lane Kim Kenneth is back in Denmark in early November after a 9½ month long season with the Irish / English Circus Vegas, which even came after some Christmas jobs elsewhere. So it's almost a year ago since Kim last time had vacation. In Denmark, he will give a few lectures about life as an international magician. Among other places at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre on Thursday 17 November.

Kim and his floating table. Photo from Circus Benneweis 2015. At the photo Kim is assisted by his brother-in-law Steve Caveagna.

It will not be a long vacation for Kim as he in December continues to other jobs. E.g. Kim and his partner and girlfriend Jessica will be part of the Dutch Kerstcircus Ahoy, which has 12 performances in Rotterdam in the days from 24 to 30 December. "Kerst" is the Dutch word for Christmas. For many decades, Kerstcircus Ahoy has been the ultimate enchanting show in Holland at the end of the year. The circus offers a spectacular line-up of the best circus acts from around the world.

Click here to see a video teaser for Kim's act.

24 October 2016

Circus Arena’s three African elephants are for the time being together with their trainer Rudi Althoff performing in the Italian circus "Circo Orfei Eleonora" (Management the Montemagno family). Currently they tour Sicily. At Christmas they will be in Palermo.

Rudi Althoff with Circus Arena’s 3 African elephants. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press.

24 October 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- now the CHRISTMAS season is about to start, a number of good circus-shows arrive in Paris - each with its own character.

CIRQUE ALEXIS GRUSS performs in the BOIS DE BOULOGNE, featuring a wonderful show, based mainly on horsemanship and aerial ballets and other aerial stunts, presented by LES FARFADAIS, 3 male, 3 female aerial acrobats.

A little history: In 1974 the then small CIRQUE GRUSS was playing in a small park in the center of Paris, they had formerly been touring as a small family circus, led by ANDRÉ, called DÉDÉ, GRÜSS, a great clown

The famous actress SILVIA MONTFORT had contact with the circus and she had friends who helped GRUSS to obtain better lots and better conditions.

The red carpet of SUCCESS could be rolled out - LE CIRQUE À L'ANCIENNE / TRADITIONAL CIRCUS was born!!

The main point was HORSEMANSHIP!

Since then CIRQUE GRUSS has been playing in Paris during winter, then a tour in the countryside and they have now created a circus park in Southern France where lots of activities go on.

The horse acts are the best of the best, also including juggling on horseback, the aerial stunts take place on and below a metal structure that can be lifted and lowered, covering the entire ring.

The aerial performances are well choreographed and their value is enhanced by this new structure. It is worth noticing that these acrobats, coming from the new circus area, are well integrated into traditional circus, there is no need for philosophical thoughts and not easily understood references to theater and literature - the visual show is enough!!

Photos by courtesy of Cirque Gruss.             

GIPSY-GRUSS-BOUGLIONE, Alexis' wife, performs a nice little act with 2 small dogs, which gives this giant show a human dimension.

STÉPHANE, their son, excels in juggling on horseback and jockey-riding. We saw other members of the family, and of course - ALEXIS himself!!

A wonderful show - a MUST to see!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: http://alexis-gruss.com/

----------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

21 October 2016

Circuses and artists during the autumn holiday. As mentioned earlier, there have been several circus and artistic performances during the children’s autumn holiday. Below you can see photos and read reviews of some of the performances.

Circus Arena. Jørgen Lorenzen visited the performance in Kolding Shopping Centre 18 October at 13 and writes (my translation):

In all bus shelters in Kolding, there were large posters with Arena’s well-known clown. By coincidence two girls was waiting next to me with the aforementioned poster in the background. They were speaking about the creepy clowns as the “creepy clown” hysteria now also has reached Denmark. Hopefully it is just at transient Halloween phenomenon.

And what should you do about those killer clowns? Here's a suggestion: in the future, we talk consistently about circus clowns - not just clowns. Thus, we distance ourselves from perverse Stephen King-monsters and remember friendly clowns as Danilo, Martino and co., Gulio and Alando and the wide range of cozy circus clowns that appear in the circus and - luckily enough- in many other places. So: from now on: circus clown and hospital clown. But not just clown.

The show in Kolding Shopping Centre was extremely well composed. Unfortunately, there were not put up a gradin or other seating facilities which made it tremendously difficult for the large spectator crowd to see what happened in the ring.

Bettina Arli welcomed, before the beautiful Sarah began with a hula hoop act. Then came the equally beautiful Laura Berdino with 6 ponies - without plume. Quiet, expressive and you got a feel-good feeling. A clear proof of the fact that you got to have animals in a circus.

Laura Berdino with ponies. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Then it was time to see the clowns Martino and Alexandro. You will never get tired of seeing them. They are deeply professional in the word's best sense. They have a nice timing, and yet you sense that there is room for improvisation, so the act is kept alive. And they amused the audience and probably also themselves with a firework display of linguistic branders and idiosyncrasies. And they have a warm, which is indeed the complete opposite of the stupid icy monsters out there in the night. They did a balloon gag while the jokes flew through the air whenever a balloon exploded: "Do you have any glue? The balloon is on a diet. There is no more air." Etc.

Alexandro (Alexander Arli). Click here to see more photos from the show

Chang then presented two of Circus Arena’s sea lions, Victor and Oskar. A classic, sympathetic number where animals catch balls, balanced and stood on their flippers. And they had a special trick. One of the sea lions could in fact conjure a ball in and out of the mouth.

Final act: Francesco Fratellini. A combination act. First juggling of up to seven balls. Then balance the high mono bike, throwing by his feet an entire tea set up on his head, piece by piece.

The 40 minutes flew by. And there is no doubt that the audience wanted to see more. And then it's fortunate that Circus Arena and all the other tented circuses will visit Kolding next summer.

In Arena Circusland in Aarslev at Slagelse there was according to Lise Kokholm lots of good and funny acts. Especially Lise enjoyed seeing the cousins Patrick and Oliver Berdino together - "it will probably end as a really good act!"

Knock-about table act with Patrick and Oliver Berdino. Photo Lise Kokholm

In Cirkusland you could also meet the entertainer and ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard and chief Talking Waterfall aka Brian "Briano" Behrendt. Photo: Lise Kokholm

Circus Bella Donna. The square in the shopping mall City 2 was during the autumn holiday turned into a circus land where the children assisted by instructors from Circus Bella Donna could try acrobatics and clowning, tightrope walking, juggling, balancing on the rola bola and run on monobikes. They could participate in a drawing competition and walk on stilts and jump in the bouncy castle. In one corner of the square Circus Bella Donna had put up a tent where Karsten Clown and his artists had performances twice a day.

City 2's circus land

Karsten tells that circus land had been a success beyond all expectations. He had originally assumed that there was a need for 3 instructors. But he had to increase the number to 6 to have instructors enough for all the circus-hungry children, just as City 2 had to extend the scheduled opening hours for the circus land. At the circus performances in the small tent with 3 rows of benches there was full house. A part of the performances was that children who had trained in the circus land was allowed to be part of the performance if they so wanted. Two of the children in the audience was appointed to be the circus band with drum and tambourine. Of course, wearing beautiful circus uniforms. The show featured beyond Karsten even the lord of the rings (the hula hoop artist Rasmus), the young magician Daniel and a Brazilian juggler. Karsten Clown appeared even with his ventriloquist dog Vuffi and as cowboy.

Karsten Clown with Vuffi. Click here to see a video with photos and movie clips from the show in Circus Bella Donna

The clowns Charlie and Binalto appeared on the 1st floor in the Frederiksberg Shopping Centre in Copenhagen. Their performances were attended by dozens of children and some parents / grandparents. Some adults choose to have a look at the center's many shops while the kids enjoyed the two clowns. Charlie and Binalto did their popular entrees Binalto’s long spit, Charlie’s revolver shooting after a banana held by Binalto, Charlie at the photographer and at last but not least, their beloved pie entrée. Over the years, Charlie has got more than 3,000 pies in his face.

Charlie and Binalto. Click here to see a video with photos and movie clips

The Circus Museum in Hvidovre featured the festive and musical brothers Max and Ulf Carling. They played festive jazz music, assisted by Max's wife Mona. Max appeared on the slack wire and showed his skills as a juggler. Ulf did rola bola, and together the brothers had a glorious comic entrée where they walked - or tried to walk – on stilts. The Circus Museum's artist Line Vittrup assisted with props etc. And at least at the performance I visited Tuesday in the museums fencing hall, there was a full house and great enthusiasm among the crowd.

The brothers Max and Ulf Carling. Click here to see a video with photos and movie clips

Circus Mascot was first in Bilka Supermarket in Vejle and then in Bytorv Horsens shopping centre. Also Mascot drew large audiences. Daniel Deleuran presented the performances, which featured gags with the clown Gulio, hula hoop with Gulios spouse Tetyana, the couple's daughter Juliya with a small elephant (it was probably her elder brother Husik, who was inside the elephant) and Marianne Deleuran with her happy and playful dogs.

The beloved and lovable clown Gulio. Photo: "Mr. Sputnik "Krogh Petersen. Click here to see more photos from the show.

Mr. Plys entertained Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday children and their parents / grandparents at the square in Lalandia Tropical Holiday Center in Rodby and Billund. The children’s beloved entertainer has on these days all year round performances in Lalandia Tropical Holiday Center.

Top: Mr. Plys at the stage in Lalandia Rodby. Bottom: Mr. Plys along with two of his biggest fans: my grandchildren Sebastian (9 years old) and Pernille (5 years old). Smartphone photos shot by Lars Simonsen

At Katja Schumann Circus farm in Løkken in the northern part of Jutland there were performances where you in addition Katja’s horses and other animals could see acrobatics.

Katja Schumann and Luffe Bøgh did also acrobatics. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen

16 October 2016

New exhibitions at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. Friday 15 October the Circus Museum opened two new exhibitions: one about clowns and one about the animals in the circus. Both exhibitions are located in the rear rooms on the first floor of the museum.

The opening of the exhibition was marked in the museums fencing hall with speeches and performances by a modern clown - Marta Carbayo - as well as the juggler and comedian Jon G. Lør (Jon Skjerning-Rasmussen). (Jonglør is the Danish word for juggler).

Click here to see a video with photos and film clips of the performers and from the two new exhibitions.

Cantaclown Marta Carbayo

Guests at the exhibition opening

The juggler and comedian Jon G Lør.

In the exhibition "In the clown's footsteps", visitors can, among other things on a big screen watch video clips with a variety of clowns. Among those the world famous Charlie Rivel. His grandson Benny Schumann has helped the museum with film etc. You can also see a small clown car that belonged to the Danish clowns Nico & Alex, and some costumes.

At the photo to the left you can see a hat, used by Lavater Lee, a nose and a wig used by Charlie Rivel and a jacket used by Baxen from Dan & Baxen. On the photo to the right you can see Benny Schumann and Bent Andersen.

The exhibition "With a whip or a carrot" is about animals in circuses. In the first room is inter alia set up monitors, where 5 persons tell about their view of animals in circuses. And of course 5 people with different approaches to the issue. There is also a screen where you can watch video clips with different acts: lions and tigers in Circus Benneweis, horses in Circus Schumann, elephants in Circus Benneweis and Ingo Stieber’s sea lion show at the Circus Museum. In a special room there is on a “round screen" that cover three walls a film with horses in the ring viewed from trainer’s position in the ring – actually from Laura Berdino's position in Circus Arena’s ring. Thus, you can sense how it is to be at the center of the ring with the animals running around you.

The author and circus historian Jørgen Lorenzen is one of the five persons who tell about his view of animals in circuses under the heading "In a true circus there shall be animals". Jørgen was also among the visitors at the opening of the exhibition.

Among the guests at the opening were the artist Freddi Steckel and the Swedish circus queen Carmen Rhodin, who along with her husband Trolle runs Circus Brazil Jack. Between Freddi and Carmen a photostat with Diana Benneweis.

13 October 2016

Crazy Flight. In a newsletter Soren Ostergaard of Zirkus Nemo writes that the Ukrainian acrobat troupe Crazy Flight is back in Zirkus Nemo in 2017 with the world premiere of "a far out wild, wonderful act". The troupe's leader Sergey Sakun has told me that the new act is an act in Russian bar. The will also do an updated version of the handstand act they did in Nemo in 2015. Sergey's wife Iryna Bessonova and her partner Camerron McHenry, who under the name Duo Trapeze also was with Nemo in 2015, will not be with Nemo in 2017.

The four Ukrainian artists from the troupe Crazy Flight. Photos by courtesy of Sergey Sakun

The troupe Crazy Flight was established in 2002. All the participants are elite gymnasts from Ukraine. They won the European Acrobatics Championships in 2001. The Danes saw them first at the Open Air Stage in Tivoli in 2004.

Click here to see a video with the latest version of Crazy Flight’s act, recorded during The Fifth International Acrobatics Festival in Switzerland in March this year.

12 October 2016

Russian clown to Holstebro. Altamira Studio Theatre has in cooperation with the Nordic Theatre Laboratory arranged a guest performance with the Russian clown Vladimir Olshansky at the Odin Theatre in Holstebro Monday 17 October at 19. The performance is in English.

Olshansky present the one-man performance 'Oops! investigation of an identity '. In addition to being the lone performer in "Oops! investigation of an identity” Vladimir Olshansky is also responsible for putting on stage and idea.

Vladimir Olschansky is an internationally well-known Russian clown. He is born in St. Petersburg in 1947 and educated from the circus school in Moscow. He has been working, among others, with the world famous Cirque du Soleil in their show Alegria. He has also been part of Big Apple Circus' Clown Care Unit.

OOPS!! is a poetical and phylosophical travel through the art of the clown. "I've decided to call this show of mine: Oops! Investigation of an identity. There are very few people who really know what is the art of the clown. What is a clown? A clown is not a Carnival mask, that can be worn by whoever wish it. A clown is an actor with a strong comic talent, with the vocation to develop this gift during a whole life. The art of the clown is anything but easy. It is very common that the clown is also the author, the dramaturgist, of his repertory. Today, you will have the possibility to see a broad spectrum of this art, from a simple entrée into a circus ring, to the heights of philosophy and poetry. Are you ready? Let's start. Here is my real face. The art of pantomime gives a wider freedom of action, by not forcing the actor to deal with scenography and stage props: in fact the clown can create his own world, by recurring to his own fantasy and the fantasy of the spectators. The inner world of the individual, his problems, his psychology, can also be the source of a scene: a common man, in the throws of an unusually big and complicated world."

This is a performance that examines what a clown's. The show is for children and adults from 12 years and up.

11 October 2016

Circus Arena ended the season in Nuuk, Greenland. The Greenland online newspaper Sermitsiaq writes that it has become a beloved tradition that Circus Arena is visiting Greenland's west coast. This year the tour started on October 4 in Ilulissat. Since they had performances in Aasiaat, Sisimiut and Maniitsoq and ended on October 9 in Nuuk. Click here to see a number of fine photos show by Leiff Josefsen.

7 October 2016

Circuses etc. during the autumn holidays. Schools in Denmark are closed in week 42 due to autumn holidays. Due to this some shopping centers etc. offers circus or artist performances.

Here is a summary of the major events:

In Copenhagen and on Zealand

Circusland in Aarslev at Slagelse. Circusland is a theme park in Circus Arena’s winter quarters in Aarslev. From 15 to 23 October it is open every day from 10 to 16. There is a circus museum, stabling and a practice ring which is used for pony rides. There is also a catering area which also houses some children’s rides. And a circus ring with tiered seating. In Circusland you can see a short circus performance, a sea lion show, western show and children's shows. You will meet the clown Berty Balder, Patrick and Oliver Berdino, Preben Palsgaard, Stephanie and Charmaine Berdino, Briano, Timm Delbosq and Suzanne Berdino.

In Circusland you can meet the sisters Charmaine and Stephanie Berdino

At the Circus Museum in Hvidovre (a Copenhagen suburb) you can from 17 to 21 October every day at 11 meet the brothers Max and Ulf Carling in a fabulous show with juggling, tightrope walking on a slack line, rola bola and lots of comedy.

Ulf Carling is an accomplished rola bola acrobat. You can during the autumn holidays meet him and his brother Max at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen

In the shopping mall City 2 in Taastrup (a Copenhagen suburb) you can see Circus Bella Donna from 15 to 23 October. Every day there will be workshops from 10 to 12 and from 13 to 15 and circus performances at 12 and 15, where children have the opportunity to participate in the performance.

Karsten Clown in the ring in Circus Bella Donna

In Frederiksberg Shopping Centre in Copenhagen you can from 15 to 23 October every day at 11 and 14 se a clown show with Charlie & Binalto. Free admission.

Kids love Charlie and Binalto’s pie entrée

In Jutland

Circus Arena produce a performance for Kolding Shopping Center from Monday 17 October to Saturday 22 October. Performances every day at 11, 13 and 15. In the show you will meet the juggler Francesco Fratellini on his high mono bike and the contortionist Miss Sarah (Sarah Florees) who both starred in this year's performance in Circus Arli. Also from Circus Arli comes Martino & Co - Martin and Bettina Arli. Laura Berdino present horses, and there might be one or more additional acts. Free admission.

In Kolding Shopping Center you can see the juggler and multi artist Francesco Fratellini. Zealanders know him from Circus Arli's 2016 performance

Circus Mascot has performances in Bilka supermarket in Vejle on 16 and 16 October. From 17 to 22 October they are in Bytorv Horsens. There are performances Monday to Friday at 11, 13 and 15.30 and Saturday at 11 and 13. Daniel Deleuran is ringmaster. You will meet Tatyana with hula hoop, Juliya with her small elephant and Marianne Deleuran with her dogs. In addition clown Gulio’s glorious gags. Free admission.

In Circus Mascot you will meet Juliya and her small elephant

At Katja Schumann’s Circus Farm on Vrenstedvej 287 in Lokken in the northern part of Jutland , there are performances every Saturday and Sunday at 16. In week 42 there are also performances Monday to Friday at 16.

In addition to the horses, there are also geese in this year's show with Katja Schumann. Photo: Jens Chr. Sorensen

Circus Trapez continues this year's tour to and including 22 October, when they have a sold performance in Kolding. Before that, they are in Horsens on 8 and 9 October, in Hedensted 11 and 12 October, in Vejle 14 and 15 October, in Vojens 16 October, in Ribe 18 October and in the Esbjerg 19 and 20 October. In the show you will meet Bernhard Kaselowsky and all his animals, including the elephant Ramboline, the Popey-clowns, the hula-hoop artist Desy Rico, the aerial acrobat Gino Ramos and Joseph Magic show.

Bernhard Kaselowsky’s elephant Ramboline is among the stars in Circus Trapez.

2 October 2016

Public money to contemporary circuses. The Council for the Performing Arts under the Danish Arts Foundation has once again chosen to support some Danish contemporary circuses. For example, the contemporary circus company Glimt has been granted an operating support for season 2017/18 of 0.7 million DKK, for season 2018/19 of 0.7 million DKK and a reservation for season 2019/20 of 0.8 million DKK. The contemporary circus company Cikaros has received 495.000 DKK. The classical circuses have received absolutely nothing.

2 October 2016

The Clown Charly Carletto who for the last two summer seasons has toured with Circus Dannebrog will be part of the large German Circus Krone's February program in the Circus Building in Munich.

1 October 2016

Zirkus Nemo 2017. The actor and comedian Soren Ostergaard has disclosed part of the program in season 2017 for his Zirkus Nemo which is a combination of a traditional circus and a comedy show. Soren writes (my translation):

Once again I have managed to get hold of a string of world-famous top artists, including the fantastic Ukrainian acrobat troupe Crazy Flight which in Nemo for the first time ever will present a far out wild, wonderful act.

My partner in the ring in 2017 is my favorite theater sportsman, actor, anarchist, improvisation master and the funniest man in the world: Michel Castenholt!

In addition, you will probably meet old and new friends ... maybe Man Who Can’t Whistle (one of Soren’s comedian characters) will bring up the mood in the tent by giving up to whistle  - and who knows, the Backward man (another of Soren’s comedian characters) will pass by (if he can find the way ...)

Crazy Fligth was also with Zirkus Nemo in 2015, but will in 2017 present a brand new act.

Michel Castenholt is a Danish actor and comedian.

Zirkus Nemo will open the season in Horsens on 26 April 2017 and end the season in Odense on 16 September. During the season they will visit 12 cities including Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg.

29 September 2016

Circus Arena on Greenland. For the 30th consecutive year Circus Arena is visiting a number of cities in Greenland. This year it from 4 to 9 October, where they have performances in sports centers etc. in Aasiaat, Ilulissat, Nuuk, Maniitsoq and Sisimiut.

Poster for the performance in Greenland’s third largest city Ilussat

Greenlanders can meet the juggler Francesco Fratellini on his high monobike and the contortionist Miss Sarah (Sarah Florees) who both starred in this year's performance in the small Danish Circus Arli. Also from Circus Arli comes Martino & Co - Martin and Bettina Arli - who for many years has been a beloved part of Arena’s Greenland performances. Also on the tour are the clown Bonbon and his and Mrs. Tiina's children Julia and Joachim doing a pirate act with sword balance and knife and fire juggling. Additionally, Greenlanders can meet the ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard and Suzanne Berdino's spouse Daniel Koscik with his Ara parrot "Gøje". Due to the conditions of transport, it is rare that there are animals in Arena’s Greenland performances. However, it has happened before: Many years ago Helge’s parrot show was with Arena on Greenland and Suzanne Berdino has once had a pony with her on the Greenland tour.

Circus Arena’s CEO Benny Berdino is ringmaster, assisted by Arena’s Pierot aka Ib Groth Rasmussen.

Francesco Fratellini and his girlfriend Sarah

Daniel with "Gøje"

During the Danish autumn holidays in week 42 Circus Arena produces as usual a performance for the Kolding Shopping Center, where you can meet some of the artists from the Greenland tour, namely Francesco, Sarah, Martin and Bettina, supplemented with a few additional acts.

27 September 2016

Obituary: the clown Joseph Albert Dubsky passed away on 19 September. He was 90 years old. Joseph Dubsky came from an old artist family, which over the years has owsned many circuses around in Europe. One of the family's most famous members was Joseph's uncle the vagabond clown Linon (Adolfe Dubsky, 1899-1984). Together with his wife Josette Joseph appeared for many years in many European circuses as the Dubsky Rivel clowns, sometimes along with their son Janos as white-faced clown. Joseph used the same mask with the black nose as his fath4r in law Polo Rivel. The Danish audience knows the couple from several seasons with Circus Dannebrog. The retired after season 2000 but had a short comeback in Circus Kenny Winter Circus in 2004. Josef Dubsky is survived by his wife Josette and their two children Janos and Tina.

Joseph and Josette Dubsky

27 September 2016

Small change in program in Circus Trapez. Isabella Enoch Sosman's son, the juggler David Sosman, has returned to university in Scotland to continue his studies. He is for the remaining part of the season replaced by the tight wire acrobat Steven Ferreri. Circus Trapez’s season continues until the end of week 42.

Steven Ferreri. By courtesy of Circus Trapez

18 September 2016

Flying trapeze is one of the classic circus disciplines. Modern circus goers perceive the flyer as the aristocrat among artists, Kurt Møller Madsen wrote in his book Circus. In this year’s performance in Circus Dannebrog you could meet the troupe Flying Regio which with two catchers could have two teams of flyers in the air at the same time. The photo below shows the synchronous performed double passage.

Flying Regio

Circus Dannebrog end the season in Gram on Sept. 25.

The same day ends Circus Mascot the season in Glyngøre. Circus Trapeze continues until the end of week 42. All the other Danish circus has ended their summer season. Some circuses have performances in shopping centers etc. during the Danish autumn holidays in week 42.

15 September 2016

Wallmans when it’s best * * * * *

Ole Simonsen and his wife were invited to the opening night for Wallmans new show in in the Copenhagen Circus Building. Ole writes:

The red carpet was rolled out in front of the Copenhagen Circus Building when Wallmans on Wednesday 14 September had gala premiere on their new show Flashback. Since August 19 there have been a number of dress rehearsals with audience for show, which runs until June 2017. So it was a well-rehearsed show, they invited the guest saw on 14 September.

Singers on the canopy received the guests as they entered the Circus Building

After managing director’s Dorthe Fryd Ekelin's welcome - it was a gala premiere with many invited guests – the show began. It was one of the best shows Wallmans has presented since they in 2003 took over the management of the Copenhagen Circus Building. Sound and light was perfect - Wallman has actually over the summer installed a new light system. And it is impressive how elegant the delicious 4-course menu was served during the show.

The opening number is this year a tribute to the circus artists who for more than a century had their time in the Circus Building, combined with short film clips from Benny Schumann's archive on the rear screen. It amused my table companion Benny Schumann to see a small clip where he as half-grown kid fed an elephant outside the Circus Building.

The entire team of performers took part in the opening number: dancers, singers and circus performers led by the talented show captain and singer Elin Öhgren. Wallmans had chosen to let the sword-swallower Anna Mariann Lundberg with artist name Maryanne welcome the audience.

From the opening number. Smartphone Photo

Then the show continued with song, dance and artists. The singers Elin Öhgren, Elisabet Karlsson, Jean Michel Helgason (known from the Danish version of X-factor), Jessica Berge and Robin Blomgren celebrated stars like Bruno Mars, musicals as Fame and Dreamgirls and sang a nostalgic country medley with songs like "That do not Impress Me Much "," How do I live "and" Life is a Highway ". There was a terrific Latin-feature with songs originally song by stars as Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez and a cheerful wedding spots with both male and female performers in wedding dress singing wedding songs by Bette Midler, Queen, Beyonce and Joe Cocker. All accompanied by talented dancers under the direction of dance captain Phu Nguyen. I must also remember to mention and praise Wallmans longtime pianist and musical director Frederik von Wachenfeldt.

Between singing and dancing there was artist acts. The first act came from the fairground world: the sword-swallower Maryanne, who with a combination of sexy charm and humor presented her act in an unconventional way. Among other things, she swallowed a dry cleaning hanger, which she had previously has shaped into a sword. Her performance form reminds me a bit of the contortionist Captain Frodo who with his innovative rubber man number recently won the award as the year's best circus act in Denmark. Just as Frodo Maryanne it talking with (or to) her audience. However, not with her swords down throat. "Deep Throat in a new way," the TV-host Bubber, who sat at the same table as me, said. Click here to see a short video clip from the act with the cleaning hanger. 

Maryanne. By courtesy of Wallmans, photographer John Resborn

David Hammarberg did various smaller acrobatic tricks before his main act: bungee jumps from a trapeze. His costume was provided with mirrors, and thanks to this and excellent lightening his act was beautiful and spectacular.

David Hammarberg. By courtesy of Wallmans, photographer John Resborn

David Hammarberg. Smartphone Photo

The last and best of the year's artist acts were the Polish handstand and hand to hand acrobats Duo Creative. They could be top act in most circuses. E.g. the mastered the difficult neck to neck balance. They could even in this position turn around and the underman could kneel. And without needing to "merge arms" as you sometimes see in such acts to ensure balance.

Duo Creative. By courtesy of Wallmans, photographer John Resborn

As mentioned a super nice show, which for sure night after night will excite the up to 1,000 spectators which the Circus Building can seat during a dinner show. In her welcome speech Dorthe Fryd Ekelin mentioned that Wallmans since they started in Copenhagen Circus Building have had more than 1 million guests.

There are undoubtedly some who believe that the Copenhagen Circus Building should be used for the purpose it was built for: the circus. Just as it happened every summer from the opening in 1886 and until 1990. Except for 1914, when the building was closed after a fire, and 1984, when it was closed due to reconstruction. Circus directors I've talked to agree, however, that even if they get the building free of charge during the summer months, it would not be possible to sell tickets enough to cover the cost of a season of three or four months. Times have changed. Declining ticket sales was also the reason why Eli Benneweis chose to stop in the Circus Building after season 1990.

Wallmans has been responsible for the operation of the building since 2003 and since October 2004 they have presented dinner shows. Every autumn they have produced a new show. In the beginning the emphasis was on young singers and dancers. In recent seasons, the number and quality of artist feature has increased, so they just as Moulin Rouge and Lido in Paris typically have 3 or 4 artist acts in the shows. Thus, you can still see artists and acrobats in Copenhagen's old circus building!

13 September 2016

Circus Kæphøj - now with animals. In week 38 Holbaek’s children and youth circus Circus Kæphøj present some performances in cooperation with Suzanne Berdino. The performances are called "Star Circus - now with animals". Here, some of the 70 children and young artists who train in Circus Kæphøj will show a bit of what they have learned.  This will be mixed with animal acts presented by Suzanne Berdino and her daughters: goats, dogs and parrots. Suzanne’s son Oliver will juggle and her spouse Daniel present his parrot.

There are performances in the red / yellow tent at Vandtaarnsvej in Holbaek Tuesday 20 September at 17,  Wednesday 21 September at 17, Thursday 22 September at 17 and Saturday 24 September at 11.

10 September 2016

Last chance to see the world's youngest elephant trainer in Copenhagen! Circus Dannebrog writes (my translation):

In Circus Dannebrog which for the time being visits Copenhagen you can meet the world's youngest elephant trainer.

He is a teenager from Italy and has a sensational touch with his elephants.

Amadeo Folco Junior is handling his elephants as if they were two enormous pets. He talks with them, pat them and laugh with them. With a single word or a gesture he can get the elephants to do exactly what he wants. The two four-ton heavy animal obeys any command. Amadeo is 17 years old and the world’s youngest elephant trainer.

The secret to train elephants are according to Amadeo respect. If you respect the elephants and treat them properly they will behave. The 17-year-old Italian comes from a circus family, who has owned the two elephants Sharon and Baby since they were born 45 years ago. He has never been away from the elephants longer than a week at a time.

"My elephants are my sisters. I grew up with them. They are part of our family as much as my mother and my grandfather is it, "he says.

Amadeo Folco and his elephants. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

In the circus industry there is deep respect for what Amadeo does. They call it sensational that such a young guy can get so much confidence from two adult elephants. For Amadeo, it has always been about patience, respect and above all confidence. Every day he bathes the elephants and is walking with them and talking with them.

"It's actually like a dog you love. A very large dog. One must have a lot of patience and give them time to understand what you want them to do. Elephants are smart and easily trained animals," he explains.

An elephant becomes typically 50 to 60 years old. In a circus, it is not uncommon for elephants to become up to 80 years old. According to Amadeo, it's due to their living conditions. For elephants has it very well in the circus, where there is plenty of food, no enemies and very little stress. Only five minutes a day should elephants work when they are in the ring.

In fact, Denmark is one of the best places Amadeo has visited with his elephants. There are almost everywhere plenty of green grass to eat and always large fields for walks, so the elephants are almost always outside.

Jacob Boas Leitissteins visited Circus Dannebrog it. 9 September. "It certainly was a super performance Dannebrog presented!" he writes. Click here to see Jacobs’s fine photos.

Circus Dannebrog is in Copenhagen until Sunday on 18 September. Then go to Korsor (September 20), Odense (September 21 to 23) and Vojens (September 24). Season ends in Gram o 25 September with two performances sold to a local savings bank. It is a longstanding tradition for the savings bank to invite young customers to see the seasons last Dannebrog performances.

10 September 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS. You've probably noticed that there currently is less news from Paris than usual. That is partly because it is not in the summer the most exciting things happen in Paris, and part because my longtime correspondent in Paris 82-years old Zarro Zarro has problems with his legs. Due to this I have asked my old friend to take good care of himself and only cover what he can manage to see and find most interesting.

However, I can promise you that you during the autumn still will get reports from Paris, including from some of the exciting circus performances, Paris offers every autumn: Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, Circus Alexis Gruss, Circus Arlette Gruss and Circus Pinder.

The winter circus in Paris, Cirque d'Hiver, is perhaps the world's most famous circus building. It was opened by Emperor Napoleon III on 11 December 1852 as the Cirque Napoléon and has ever since been a prominent venue for circuses and other events.

This year's show is called Surprise. The season will open 8 October and close on 26 February 2017. The show is tied together by the clown Totti Alexis, who the Danes in 2011 enjoyed in Circus Dannebrog. The following year he was in Sweden with Circus Maximum and in 2013 in Finland with Circus Finlandia. The Danes has also seen him in the winter circus performances which Jimmy Enoch in 2014 and 2015 produced for shopping centers.

Click here to see a short promotion video for this year's performance in Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione.

Cirque Alexis Gruss is in Porte de Passy in Paris from 22 October to 19 January 2017. This year's show called Quintessence. Click here to see a video clip from the performance.

Cirque Arlette Gruss is in Paris from 18 November to 11 December.

I have not yet dates for Cirque Pinder (Pinder - Jean Ricard).

8 September 2016

Kenny Quinn. Although the Danish gentleman thief Kenny Quinn recently stopped at the Irish / English Circus Vegas because they were 3 weeks behind with salary payment, he need not make a living as a criminal pickpocket. Before the Christmas season he, Mrs. Joan and their son Jack is from 20.11 to 12.11.2016 in Dornbirn in Austria to be part of Variety am Bodensee new show Furioso. Click here to read more about the performance.

Following Austria Kenny and his family goes to Landauer Weihnachtscircus 2016/17 where Kenny is presented as "Der Gentleman-Taschendieb und Weltstar aus Kopenhagen". In addition the pickpocket act the German Christmas circus features among others acts the Rampin Clowns and Eric and José Munoz. Rampin-clowns were with Circus Arena in Denmark in 2014 and the Munoz brothers with Irene Thierry’s Danish Circus Krone in 2010 and 2011. Landauer Weihnachtscircus has performances from 22 December to 8 January 2017.

6 September 2016

3 circuses in Malmö. In the coming days you can see three Swedish circus in Malmö in the southern part of Sweden. All three circuses have excellent performances. It easy to get from Copenhagen to Malmö using The Oresund Bridge.

From 7 to 9 September Circus Olympia is on the lot “Mølleplatsen” (The Mill Square) in central Malmö, next to Malmöhus Castle with performances at 18:30. The performances on 7 and 8 September are sold to Lions Club, so it is only for the show on September 9 you can buy tickets in the box office or via Ticnet. 10 and 11 September the somewhat larger Circus Brazil Jack is on the exactly same lot. Saturday with performance at 16 and Sunday at 13.

Sweden's largest circus, Circus Maximum is on 10 and 11 September is in Malmo at Jägersro with performances both days at 16.

Are you in car, it is on Sunday 11 September possible first to see Cirkus Brazil Jack at 13:00 and then proceed to Jägersro to see Circus Maximum at 16:00

As in Denmark the Swedish circus season are coming to an end. Both Circus Olympia and Circus Brazil Jack ends the season on September 11. Circus Maximum ends the season a week later in Gothenburg. Circus Wictoria closed the season already on June 6. Circus Scott, who hasn’t toured this year, has performances in Stockholm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 to 25 September.

Also in Norway the season is coming to an end. The large Circus Arnardo will close the season on 7 September. The smaller circus Cirkus Zorba ends the season on 12 September.ich  And the small Circus Minimax ends the tent season at Rovde on Saturday 10 September 10 at 16.00. Then they move to a new address: Osterøy municipality in Hordaland. The circus director Carl-André Hjelvik's fiancée, Ingrid Lone is coming from Osterøy and has family there. The reason for the move is that the couple is expecting a child in the new year. Osterøy is located near Bergen.

The large Finnish Circus Finlandia is as usual the Nordic circus with the latest close of season: Sunday 30 October in Helsinki, where they are from 29 September.

6 September 2016

Animals in circuses. It is usual that whenever a circus with animals visits Flensburg just south of the Danish/German border there will be German animal rights people. It is also the case during the visit by one of the five largest circuses in Europe, Charles Knie, which from Wednesday 31 August to Sunday 4 September shared the Exe lot with the refugees, the Danish-language newspaper Flensborg Avis writes.

A circus friend Günther Kunstmann reports that it does not appear that the animal friends on Exe has succeeded in convincing the city and the region's inhabitants that they should stay away, because animals in Circus Charles Knie according ti the animal friends isn’t treated properly. The performance on Wednesday night had over three-quarters of the 1,462 seats occupied. All the animals seemed to be beautiful and well-fed. The animal rights organization PETA is not happy. They also want to close all zoos, says a representative of PETAS to Flensburg Avis.

Circus Charles Knie has neither elephants nor lions or tigers in this year’s performance. All their 70 animals are born in captivity.

About 30 Danish and Swedish circus friends visited during the weekend in Flensburg to see the large German circus.

Danish and Swedish circus friends in front of Circus Charles Knie. In  front of them the clown and comedian Cesar Dias. Photo: Lise Kokholm

"Circus Knie is certainly worth a trip," Briano Behrendt from Briano’s Circus Travels and Uffe Neise from the municipal youth circus Kaephoej told Tilla Rebsdorf from Flensburg Avis after the show

 "We have the circus world completely under our skin, and our lives are full of circus," concluded the two men who along with other circus friends had bought tickets for the Saturday afternoon performance in Zirkus Charles Knie at the Exe.

"There is another tradition of circus here in Germany than in Denmark. We see acts here, which we can’t see at home, both animal acts with exciting animals, but also artists in the large troupes which don’t come to Denmark," Briano said.

He is a frequent guest in Flensburg when the lager circuses is visiting the town and thought it was quite nice, that there Saturday afternoon was no shouting PETA people from animal welfare organizations outside the fence.

Flying Wulber. Photo: Lise Kokholm

The municipal youth circus Kaephoej from Holbaek is not only a leisure club. It is also a circus with both tent and circus wagons. The club had also taken some young artists in Flensburg, so they could gather inspiration.

On the way home Zealand the many qualified circus friends evaluate the afternoon performance on the Exe, and sent a text message to the Flensburg newspaper with the words: “We all are agreed that it was super circus, but will especially highlight the sea lions and other animal acts. Plus the Messoudi troupe with their handstand and hand-to-hand act.”

The Messuodis. Photo: Lise Kokholm

In addition Briano's group and the group from Circus Kaephoej also Martin Lasson Berglund from Malmö took a group of circus fans to Flensburg. Even both Saturday and Sunday.

6 September 2016

News from ECA (European Circus Association)

Hungary recognizes circus as “Intangible Cultural Heritage”

As the second country after the Netherlands, Hungary will recognize circus on its national list of “Intangible Cultuaral Heritage”. The official ceremony of announcing that circus arts has been listed is planned for Friday, 16th September 2016 in Budapest. The Fédération Mondiale du Cirque and the European Circus Asociation are working on the same recognition in other countries and hope to bring circus finally on the international UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

ECA supports the fight for the traditional circus with animals

Animal welfare is one of the five key working areas of the European Circus Association and certainly the area that financially gets our biggest support. As a European association we collaborate with and support local initiatives in the various countries to save the circus with (wild) animals. For ex-ample, in the U.K. we work closely with Rona Brown and the Circus Guild of Great Britain and helped to achieve their main goal: No bans in Great Britain, but a tight licensing system that allows to keep also so called "wild" animals in the circus, if that circus follows the strict regulations.

In the Netherlands, the ECA worked with VNCO, the Dutch association of circus proprietors, to prevent a ban of wild animals from circuses. Unfortunately, we could not stop the ban coming into force as of September 2015. The ECA immediately offered any kind of help, including financial support and legal advice to our partner organization VNCO. Despite earlier discussions about legal action to fight the ban, VNCO decided to negotiate individual exemptions for those few circuses that still have animals which are not allowed in the Netherlands anymore. The exemptions reached concern the elephants of Circus Renz-Berlin, a member of the ECA, and elephant “Buba” at Circus Freiwald. Circus Renz International and Circus Belly-Wien have left the Netherlands and are now touring in Germany after a short visit to Ireland earlier this year.

In Germany, ECA collaborates closely with the “Berufsverband der Tierlehrer” (the association of animal trainers), the “Lacey Fund” founded by Martin Lacey jun. and the “Aktionsbündnis Tiere gehören zum Circus”, a working group created by enthusiastic circusfans. The printed version of ECA’s “10 good reasons for animals in the circus” helps in discussions with media and politicians. In addition, the ECA has financed legal action against the judgment by a court that allows towns to implement local bans against circuses with (wild) animals. ECA also contributed financially to the “Lacey Fund” and helped to set up meetings with politicians concerned with the topic. Currently, a meeting with the Federal Government is planned in order to discuss the ban that has been re-quested again by the “Bundesrat”.

In Italy, ECA is always connected with “Ente Nazionale Circhi”, the association of circus directors that in 2013 drafted a very detailed regulation on the proper detention and training of animals in circuses, also based on the ECA code of conduct.

ECA is also constantly vigilant on legislative initiatives and on all European Union activities related to the subject of animals in circuses. In the recent past a delegation of ECA led by President Urs Pilz was received by the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and senior management to discuss about the situation.

The European Circus Association would be glad to extend its help and support to members in other countries, but it needs local initiative to ask for this support and advise what to do and who to contact.

What is really important is to act quickly and to contact ECA immediately when some issues related to the animals in circuses occur. Without a local control and action in each country, the ECA support will be very weak.

Circus Conference in the European Parliament

The conference – hosted by Hungarian MEP István Ujhelyi - in the European Parliament, on the 18th of October, 2016 wants to bring closer the European decision-makers, the representatives of the traditional and the new generation of circus art, to find out together: how can we preserve the traditional circus values, how can we assist in the development of a new artistic ways and strengthen the cultural cooperation between the circuses and their associated institutions. Fédération Mondiale du Cirque as well as the European Circus Association both work closely with MEP István Ujhelyi to develop the agenda for this important conference. The conference is open to the public.

1 September 2016

Circus Dannebrog’s Copenhagen premiere took this year place on Wednesday 31 August. It is a longstanding tradition for Circus Dannebrog to visit Copenhagen late in the season. This year they have chosen to use the circus lot at Bellahoj, which is vacant because Benneweis isn’t on tour this year.

Circus Dannebrog at Bellahoj

The premiere was a festive event. "The year's best circus performance," many said after the show which was awarded with standing ovations.

Agnete Louise Enoch welcomed the audience

Armando Arano Liazeed’s act is one of the best artist acts you in 2016 can see in a Danish circus ring. The young Cuban artist is son of Zaida Liazeed’s husband and partner in the well-known handstand duo Liazeeds.

Amadeo Folco Jr.'s elephant number is probably the best elephant act you in 2016 can see in a Danish circus. At the beginning of the season it was his mother Adriana, who presented the elephants. Later the Enoch family permitted her to go to Austria to help her friend Louis Knie to reorganize his circus. Circus Louis Knie is for the time being touring Holland. Some of the equipment Adriana has purchased from the Norwegian Circus Merano.

The Danish actor Jytte Abildstrom was among the many guests at the premier. Here she is welcomed by Agnete Louise Enoch. In the background Solveig Enoch

Also the former acrobats Belita and Charley Kay attended the circus premiere. Here they are seen together with Solveig Enoch

My Parisian correspondent Zarro Zarro was also invited to the circus with some friends. Agnete Louise Enoch found the tickets reserved for them. Click here to see more photos

Some circus friends have been asking for Circus Dannebrog printed program 2016. But such program does not exist. Due to the turbulent start of the season and several months with a number of canceled performances due to lack of tent workers the Enoch family decided not to have a printed program. Furthermore program sale in circuses is declining. Many find the desired information via their smartphone.

Circus Dannebrog is at ‘Bellahoj’ in Copenhagen to and including 18 September.

1 September 2016

Merano material to Holland. Knut Dahl of the Norwegian Circus Merano, which hasn’t toured since 2014, has sold some of his material to Adriana Folco, who worked for him for several seasons. Until now she has picked up a front tent, a front grandstand, a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine. The equipment is now in Holland, where she helps her friend Louis Knie junior. Circus Louis Knie tours usually in Austria, but try from August to October their luck in Holland in the hope that there is a market for circus after the Dutch Circus Herman Renz went bankrupt last year.

The 41-year-old Louis Knie June is the seventh generation of the renowned Swiss circus family. For some years he has run a circus in Austria.

30 August 2016

Did the Danish award for the best act of the year go to a contemporary circus artist? This question has been asked by several persons after the jury of the Danish Circus Award gave the award for the best act of the year to Captain Frodo from Zirkus Nemo. His comedic contortion act where he with lots of talk to the audience crawl through two tennis rackets, differs very much from the classic klischnigger (the technical name for a male contortionist) act where a deadly serious artist crawl through rings of greater or lesser diameter and last is placing himself in a box with such small volume that is seems impossible that he can be there. Or in a bottle as Hugo Zamoratte did in Circus Benneweis in 1992 and in Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2005.

Captain Frodo crawling through rackets. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

A classic klischnigger act: Hugo Zamoratte heading into its bottle. Photo from Circus Brazil Jack 2005.

Captain Frodo has never worked in a traditional circus, while he has been very successful e.g. in London’s burlesque variety show La Clique, which has visited Denmark and almost have achieved cult-like status in London. And at Zirkus Nemo he nearly bring the house (or tent) down night after night. "He's absolutely fantastic," the Danish Minister of Culture Minister Bertel Haarder said to me at the award ceremony.

Some find male contortionists unaesthetic. There are also some who do not like Frodo's act. But most - including the award jury - is excited about the new style he has brought in klischnigger genre by serving his number with joy and enthusiasm instead doing the act with a deadly serious face.

Apart from his contention act where he climbs through tennis rackets, Captain Frodo has in Zirkus Nemo another act were end at the top of a small bucket after he as from Chinese boxes has taken bucket after bucket of the first bucket. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Moreover, the distinction between contemporary circus artists and classical artists seems a bit old-fashioned. The troupe Hands to Violins, who also was nominated as the best act of the year, presented during the season with Circus Baldoni a contemporary circus-like story about a couple who oversleep and must get up and get dressed. With embedded handstand, pole balance and violin playing. Also Michele and Seraina from this year’s year Arli-spectacle have their roots in the contemporary circus world.

29 August 2016

The Danish circus season 2016 is coming to an end. In the Scandinavian countries the circus season usually ends in August or September.

Circus Arli had the last performance on August 23. Circus Arena and Circus Baldoni both closed the season on August 29.

Circus Arena at the lot in Ballerup, where they Sunday 28 August at noon for the 20th consecutive year had sold a performance for the IT Company Atea and the computer company Lenovo. Approximately 1,200 persons saw the performance to which they had receive free tickets.

Jacob Boas Leitisstein saw Circus Baldoni’s last performance. Click here to see his photos and here to see short video.

The only traditional circus on Zealand is now Cirkus Dannebrog, which from August 31 through September 18 is in Copenhagen. Following Copenhagen they will visit Korsor, a few towns on Funen and in Vojens before they on Sept. 25 end the season with two sold performances in Gram.

Zirkus Nemo is located at Charlottenlund Fort in Copenhagen to and including September 3. Then they continue to Odense, where the season ends Sept. 17.

In Jutland, you can meet Circus Krone, Circus Mascot and Circus Trapez. Circus Krone ends probably the season in Aale on September 10. Circus Mascot has the last tent show in Glyngøre on 25 September. Isabella Enoch plan to let Circus Trapez continue the tour until 20 October.

Circus Baldoni has a short autumn tour on the Faroe Islands and Arena a short tour on Greenland.

Several circuses are active with short indoor performances in the autumn holiday etc. These include Circus Arena, which in week 42 will be in Kolding Shopping Center and Circus Mascot which the same week is first in Vejle and then in Horsens.

25 August 2016

The diploma for the best circus act in Denmark 2016 which Captain Frodo got at the award ceremony for The Danish Circus Award on 23 August is on display in the window of Zirkus Nemo’s ticket office.

24 August 2016

Festive award ceremony for The Danish Circus Award.

The award ceremony took place Tuesday 23 August in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, with participation of the Danish Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder.

There were about 150 guests and it became a festive event. Apart from the three circuses which currently are touring in Jutland and for whom it was impossible to be present, all Danish circuses was represented by directors and / or artists. There were also representatives from the Danish contemporary circus schools AMOC and AFUK, just as you met a wide range of artists, both current artists and former artists.

The awards ceremony was well visited. On the stage the compère Jan Hertz. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The Danish Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder presented the Danish circus and artist world's finest award, the Danish Circus Award, to Benny Berdino who now for 40 years has headed Circus Arena and have made it the largest circus in the Nordic countries.

In his speech the Minister of Culture commemorated partly his childhood circus visits and a circus visit some years ago when he who at that time was Minister of Education, was invited into the ring to assist a troupe which did a Risley Act (The troupe Faustos Scorpion). After one of the troupe's lady members who was a bit plumb has balanced with the Minister he would retaliate and tried to lift her. But fell over her and then walked around the ring on his hands. The following day you could see photos in the leading Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet.

In his speech the minister said among other things (my translation):

"Dear Benny Berdino. Your father was market entertainer and made short performances with among other performers himself as a magician. Everything was presented with rapidly fluency in the same way as with his colleague and good friend “Professor” Tribini from the amusement park Bakken.

When you were 9 years old, your dad started his own circus, Circus Arena. The staff consisted of your father, yourself, your sister Jytte and the strongman Abdullah, and Arena was undoubtedly the smallest circus in Denmark.

When your father passed away in 1976 Circus Arena was a nice medium sized business which you took over with the assistance of your spouse Hanne.

You can this year celebrate your 40th anniversary as circus owner and in 61 of your 70 years of life you have lived and breathed for the circus that you assisted by Hanne and your two children has made to the Nordic region's largest circus.

In most industries, it goes up and down. This also applies to the circus industry. Also Circus Arena has had ups and downs, but you have found solutions making it possible year after year to present good performances. You have also remembered Greenland which you and Circus Arena this year for the 30th year in row will visit with an autumn tour.

You are a distinguished representative of the Danish circus industry, and it is fully understandable that it was you, who the board of the Circus Award appointed to receive this year's honorary award, the Danish Circus Award.

I am therefore pleased to hand you the distinguished award."

Bertel Haarder and Benny Berdino with the painting, which is the visible symbol of the award. Photo: "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen

A deeply touched Benny Berdino thanked for the award and chose to donate the 10,000 DKK which accompanied the award to families with cancer affected children.

Benny Berdino and Bertel Haarder, Benny with the painting done by the “master of clowns“ Viggo Salting. Photo: Holger Hagelberg

This year's talent award went to a representative of the smaller circuses, namely Alexander Arli of Circus Arli.

The 29-year-old Alexander Arli between the compère Jan Hertz and the theater - revue and circus reviewer Rud Kofoed. Photo: Per "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen

The award for the best act of the year was given to Captain Frodo from Søren Østergaard’s Zirkus Nemo.

Captain Frodo. To the right Jan Hertz. Frodo's real name is Frode Sandven. The 40-year-old Norwegian is living in Australia when he not is performing in Denmark, London, Las Vegas or one of the many other places where he have had great success. Photo: "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen

The awards ceremony took place in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre.

The Danish Circus Price in 2016 consisted of a painting created by the painter Viggo Salting, accompanied by an amount of 10.000 DKK and a travel voucher from Bravo Tours.

In 1968 and 1969 the award consisted of a candlestick of silver with a horse on the top. At that time horses was a natural symbol for circuses. Thanks to Benny Schumann the candlestick which his father Albert Schumann received in 1968 was on display in the fencing hall. This year the visible symbol of the honorary prize was as mentioned a painting done to the master of clowns, the internationally recognized Danish painter Viggo Salting, as price jury found that the clown today is a better symbol for the circuses than the horse. All circuses have clowns or comedians, but not all of them animals in the performances. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The Talent award consisted of a diploma and a sum of 10,000 kr.

The award for the best act consisted of a diploma and a sum of 1,000 Euro.

In his concluding speech the chairman of the Danish Circus Award welcomed the fact that we have had the opportunity to honor some of the fiery souls and talents we meet in Denmark. He hoped that it in the future would be possible to have a similar annual distribution of circus awards.

From left: the mayor of Hvidovre Helle Adelborg, the Talent of the Year Alexander Arli, the year's Best Act Captain Frodo, the receiver of the Danish Circus Award 2016 Benny Berdino, The Culture Minister Bertel Haarder, prize committee members Pia Jette Hansen, Jan Hertz and chairman Ole Simonsen. Photo taken by the last price committee member  Rud Kofoed.

Click here to see clips from TV2 Lorry from the awards.

Click here to read the journalist and price committee member Rud Kofoed’s enthusiastic reportage from the day with many beautiful photos.

Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitisstein’s photos.

Click here to see more photos from the award ceremony.

18 August 2016

Circus Baldoni soon on the way to the Faroe Islands. The performance on 29 August in Ølsemagle is the last tent performance in Circus Baldoni in season 2016. And it has been a good season. René Moenster writes (my translation)

We are proud to tell that the season has been our best ever and that we see a bright future. We have had many full houses and is now investing in upgrading the comfort for the audience. The entire decor will get a tremendous facelift and all benches are replaced with plastic bucket seats. Next year's program is fully in place, and we can promise that we will offer a performance that lives up to this year's level, which has been our best so far according to both audience and press reviews.

Also other Danish circuses report that 2016 has been the best season for several years.

After close of the tent season, Circus Baldoni will as others years tour the Faroe Islands with performances in sports centers etc. The Faroese tour will run from September 5 to 14, and Circus Baldoni will visit 10 different cities. The performers are the same as during this year's tent toured with the exception of aerial acts with Dennis & Szulita, which is replaced by an aerial act with Maria Janacek as The girl in the Moon.

17 August 2016

He is a chip of the old block. One of the top acts in this year's performance in Circus Arli is the young clown and multi-artist Francesco Frattelini. His hasn’t got his talent from strangers. His father Tino Frattelini was one of the partners in the famous Duo Manducas who with their amazing acrobat act in old-fashioned style under the name Tino & Tony got a silver clown in Monte Carlo in 1992, the same year that Francesco was born. Two years after Tino Frattelini passed away and his buddy Tony (Antonio Ferreira) continued with other partners and won another silver clown in Monte Carlo in 2001. The act is also copied by others, such as Duo Dores, who the Danes saw in Circus Arena in 2001. Duo Manducas consists today of Tony's son Fabio and his partner Gabor.

Francesco is educated at the circus school in Verona, Italy. From 2009 to 2015 he worked for the famous French Cirque Alexis Gruss. In Denmark you can see him in Circus Arli until 23 August, when the season closes in Sengeløse. Up to and including 21 August you'll find Circus Arli in Copenhagen at Frederiksberg Runddel.

Francesco Fratellini

15 August 2016

Kenny Quinn stopped at Circus Vegas. The Irish / English Circus Vegas have this year had two Danish star performers in the performance: the illusionist Kim Kenneth and the gentleman thief Kenny Quinn. The season started in January in Ireland and continued in the middle of May to Scotland where their visit in many cities has been disappointing. The Courtney family, which owns Circus Vegas, is blaming the English Brexit for the poor business. After a visit to Edinburgh with highly disappointing number of visitors Kenny Quinn, Mrs. Joan and their son Jack has left Circus Vegas, which for the rest of the season, scheduled to run until early November, only have one Danish artist among the performers.

Poster for the performances in Edinburgh, which were the last where Kenny Quinn was among the performers

14 August 2016

Join the Crown Princess in the Circus. Circus Dannebrog organizes a charity performance to raise funds for the Kidney Association. The performance takes place Thursday, Sept. 8 pm. 18.30 at Bellahoj in Copenhagen. The Kidney Society’s patron the Danish Crown Princess Mary will visit the performance. Click here for link to ticket ordering.

14 August 2016

The Swedish Circus Olympia visits for time being the Oresund region where they, among other places has performance in Lund on 18 August, in Landskrona on 20 August, in Helsingborg on 21 August and in Malmö from 7 to 9 September. All cities are easy to reach by train or car from Copenhagen. This year's performance was reviewed at the news page on 26 March. Since then it has been a change in the program: Franco and Adele Olivera is replaced by 3 young talented Ethiopian artists who call themselves The Eyes Group. They present an excellent handstand / hand-to-hand act, see photos.

The Eyes Group

11 August 2016

Contemporary Circus Festival in Copenhagen. Copenhagen International Theatre continues its involvement in one of the newer performing arts, Contemporary Circus. Since 2005, Copenhagen International Theatre has organised Contemporary Circus Festivals, which now are set to continue in August in even years , all while they continuously focus on contemporary circus development activities in co-operation with Danish, Nordic and European partners.

From 11^th to 28th August 2016 Copenhagen International Theatre organize for the fifth time a Contemporary circus festival with performances from across Europe. They have invited 10 international companies with 10 performances. In a press release they write (my translation):

The Contemporary Circus Festival 2016 is dedicated to the artists, the circus artists. When we see them in action, we see first of all the dangerous and extraordinary tricks they can do. We admire them for their successes and fearlessness. Rarely do we see the infinity of exhausting training which precedes a performance.

The errors, accidents, routine and continuous self-examination that sharpens the art, to with the artists have devoted their lives. The festival's artists let us peek behind the facade, and with their honesty and courage they open our eyes to what circus can tell us about life.

The festival's 10 very different concepts let us feel how the circus is a living and meaningful art form that will more than be spectacular.

See more at What’s on.

It is surprising that there is not a single Danish contemporary circus company among the performers as Denmark have several such companies.

The Contemporary Circus Festival is only possible thanks to public subsidies. There are not given similar support to the classic circuses.

10 August 2016

Katja Schumann's performance at the Circus Farm in the Circus Farm in Løkken in the northern part of Jutland. Jens Chr. Sørensen visited the show Monday August 8 and writes: "The performers in the show are Katja Schumann and Luffe Bøgh, and then the two girls you see at the photos. It is an excellent performance"

There are performances every Saturday and Sunday at 16 (4 p.m.,)

Katja Schumann. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen. Click here to see more of Jens Chr. Sørensen photos from the show.

9 August 2016

Circus Scott 2016. The Swedish Circus Scott's 2016 tour consists only of performances in Stockholm, where they from 8 to 25 September have performances every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

In marketing highlights the "children's favorites the babblers who with their unimaginable 50 million clicks on YouTube will enter the ring together with Robert Bronett, exciting artists and acrobats, horses and dogs and present their super hits and get the whole tent to dance.”

The performers include the springboard troupe Cretu which the Danish audience knows from several seasons with the Circus Arena and Jidinis magic show. The latter is known in Denmark from Circus Benneweis, Circus Arena and the open air stage in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. Jidinis also toured with Circus Scott in 2013.

Furthermore you can meet Kevin Probst with horses, Kevin & Tünde Probst with ponies and goats, Sebastian & Fanou in aerial cradle, the Scott Dancers and the singers Ann Björling and Lars Säfsund.

The Cretu troupe in Circus Arena 2016. Circus Arena close season 2016 on 28 August

9 August 2016

New show in the Copenhagen Circus Building. From August 19 Willman’s will in the Copenhagen Circus Building present a new dinnershow called FLASHBACK. In the press material the write (my translation):

In 1886 the Copenhagen Circus Building opened the doors for the very first time. Now, many years later, Wallmans Circus Building opens the famous doors for another season, but this time it's to celebrate the buildings 130 year anniversary.

Throughout the history the Circus Building been famous for hosting every sort of entertainment from all over the world. Wallmann’s is incredibly proud to continue the unique building's heritage and has for the last 12 years made both Danish and international guests feel like dancing all the way home through the streets of Copenhagen after a magical night in the Circus Building.

During the four-hour long tremendous show an exquisite 4-course dinner is served by Wallmans Circus Building’s artists and waiters.

This year's opening number is a tribute to the Circus building 130 years and the performers, which for over a hundred years have performed in the building, namely the circus artists.

But Flashback is also a musical journey that celebrates big stars like Bruno Mars, musicals like Fame and Dreamgirls and a nostalgic 90s country medley with songs such as "That Do not Impress Me Much", "How do I live" and "Life is a Highway".

Latin is hotter than ever with stars like Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez and their pulsating rhythms Wallman talented crew release their inner latino.

Danish singer Wallmans Circus Building

The Danish singer Jean Michel Helgason, who became famous in X Factor in 2012 and later appeared in the musical Hair at the Gasworks theatre and Hairspray in Tivoli, is a this year new Danish star at Wallmans Circus Building. With his amazing charisma and excellent voice he will mesmerize the audience

World class artists

The Swedish superstar Maryanne has captivated audiences for many years, and her extraordinary and dangerous acts have made her world famous with appearances in international TV shows. With the combination of her sexy charm, humor and flair for fire and sharp objects she brings something to the table that you have never before seen in Wallmans Circus Building.

The Polish acrobats Duo Creative is with their superhuman strength and grace defying the physical laws while they use their bodies to perform a beautiful and incredibly handstand routine in the midst of the audience.

The Indian-born David Hammarberg (who with the Swedish-sounding name is raised in Sweden) is high under the dome performing a swinging bungee trapeze act which is guaranteed to take the breath away from even the most experienced circus artist enthusiast.

The Swedish sword-swallower Maryanne's picture can be seen at the poster for the new show. Press photo from Wallmans Circus Building

All songs and spoken words are in English so foreign visitors can easily enjoy the show.

The show can be seen until June 2017.

About the artists: The Swedish sword and fire swallower and variety artist Maryanne (Mariann Magdalen Lundberg) performs a spectacular act surrounded by flames, knives and other sharp objects. Click here to see a video clip.

The talented and versatile David Hammarberg could be seen in Baldoni’s Christmas Circus in 2007 and has for several seasons toured with the Swedish Circus Olympia. There, he has also done the bungee acts he will present at Wallman.

David Hammarberg in Circus Olympia 2015

The Polish elite acrobats Duo Creative (Michal Nowosadko and Zbigniew Sobierajski) does a fine handstand / hand-to-hand number. Click here to see a video clip

7 August 2016

New tent to Circus Arli. Usually you get a new circus tent at the start of the season. But it fitted better into the production rhythm of Italian Scola TELONI to deliver a new tent for Circus Arli in August. The new tent - see photo - will be officially inaugurated when Circus Arli has performance in Frederiksberg Copenhagen from August 13 to 21. The old tent is from 2010. The new tent has the same dimensions as the old and the same cupola and poles.

At the top the new tent. At the bottom of the old tent, photographed by Jacob Boas Leitisstein

7 August 2016

Circus Land in Circus Arena’s winter quarter at Aarslev closed the summer season today, and park manager Suzanne Berdino is well pleased with the season. At the photo you can see Suzanne together with some members of her core team: in the front the ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard. In the back row from left Suzanne Berdino, Wilma Navratil, chief Talking Waterfall (Brian "Briano" Behrendt), Jan Navratil, Bertie Balder, Tim Delbosq, Stephanie Berdino and Geraldine Delbosq. Click here to see some photos from the performances the last opening day

6 August 2016

Circus Minimax. The small Norwegian circus writes (my translation): " Now this year's summer tour around the different campsites is officially over. The press and public have been extremely pleased with this year's anniversary show 2016. We would therefore like to thank our wonderful audience for well visits around our small circus ring. We will also express many thanks to our talented artists and staff for a great season. NB! However, we have the very last tent show on Saturday 10th September 16:00. See you in Circus Minimax, Norway absolutely smallest circus! "

Carl-André Hjelvik (right) and his team, from the left Don Carlos, Ingrid Lone and Oliver Berdino. Ingrid Lone is ticket seller, kiosk manager and music responsible in Circus Minimax.

5 August 2016

Schumann performances. Although it is 46 years since Circus Schumann stopped in the Circus Building in Copenhagen and 34 years ago Max Schumann stopped his tented circus, members of the Schumann family are still active in Danish showbiz.

The clown and multi artist Benny Schumann began in 1980 to perform with an artist and clown show, and although he has turned 70 he is still active and can be seen in many places all around Denmark.

Benny's cousin Katja Schumann returned some years ago from USA and lives now at the Circus Farm at Vrenstedvej in Løkken in the northern part of Jutland. Her dream of creating a circus farm is really starting to come true for the famous circus princess. The dream is to create a place with a working circus museum, lots of animals and many other things and activities.

The restoration demanding farm at Vrenstedvej 287, approximately 4 kilometers from Løkken, was purchased one and a half years ago. In what once were stables for cows you can now find a grandstands and a circus ring.

This summer there are performances every day at 16 at the Circus Farm. From 15 August there are only performances on Saturdays and Sundays.

Photo from performance in 2015. In the ring Laura Schumann Torres. Photo: Erling Bøgh

In addition to the horses, there are also geese in this year's performance at Katja Schumann’s Circus Farm. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen

Katya's niece Laura Schumann Torres is also active. Together with her husband Luis, she present this summer for the fourth year in row a show at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm in Morud at Funen. This year, the couple’s two children Natalia (7 years) and Adriana (5 years) are participating in the performances. This year's show is called The Horse Powered Stunt Show and offers besides Laura with two beautiful horses stunts with Luis in the wheel of death and on motocross bike. Until 14th August there are performances Wednesday through Friday at 16 and Saturday and Sunday at 13:30 and 16. The address is Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm, Tokkerodvej 24, DK-5462 Morud.

Laura and Luis Schumann Torres. Photo: Jens Chr. Sørensen. Click here to see more photos from this year's show on Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm.

The jury behind the Danish Circus Award has recently nominated Laura as one of the three candidates for this year's talent award.

It should also be mentioned that also Benny's daughter Patricia Schumann is active in showbiz. She trained as an actor at the National Theatre School in 2005 and beyond at theaters she has appeared in a number of films and TV series and has received several film and theatre awards.

3 August 2016

Several hundred people had made their way to the flea market lot in Hillerød on Wednesday 3 August where Benny Berdino of Circus Arena had invited to brunch on the occasion of his 70th years birthday. Here he is seen together with Sonja and Bent Soelberg and Alexander Arli. Smartphone Photo by Ole Simonsen

Rud Kofoed took this fine photo of the Danish singer Dario Campeotto singing Oh, mein papa for Benny Berdino. Click here to see a video clip.

1 August 2016

Nominations for the Danish Circus Award 2016: 3 acts are nominated for the talent award and 3 acts nominated for the award as the best act of the years. The award ceremony will take place on 23 August where the names of the awarded will be released

Nominated for the talent award are

·         Trio Creation, Circus Arena

·         Alexander Arli, Circus Arli

·         Laura Schumann Torres, The Horse Powered Stunt Show

Trio Creation. Photo Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Alexander Arli. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Laura Schumann Torres. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Nominated for the award as the best act of the year are:

·         Hands to violin – Michal Mudrák og Daniella Vitová, Circus Baldoni

·         Armando Arano Liazeed, Circus Dannebrog

·         Captain Frodo, Zirkus Nemo 

Hands to violin. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Armando Arano Liazeed. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Captain Frodo. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The award ceremony 2016 will take place in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, with participation of the Danish Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder.

There will be 3 awards:

·         The honorary award ( "The Danish Circus Award")

·         The talent award

·         The award to the best act in 2016

1 August 2016

Elephant Wash in Allerød. The circus lot in Allerød is located right next to the fire station, and is a tradition that the firefighters use a tank of water to splash Circus Arena’s elephants, when the circus comes to town. This year it happened Friday, July 29. Click here to see a short video clip.

31 July 2016

The Folies Bergère is a cabaret music hall, located in Paris at 32 rue Richer. It was established in 1869. The institution is still in business, and is always a strong symbol of French and Parisian life. Zarro Zarro has visited The Folies Bergère and writes:

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --  also during summer-time, when many Parisians leave for holidays - being replaced by numerous tourists, not knowing enough French to enjoy theatre plays. These tourists can now see a first class entertainment show: OH LALA, brought from Switzerland by GREGORY KNIE and son ROLF KNIE, presented in Paris by BRUNO DA CRUZ.

They are all super-professional show people, the result is OH LALA, featured at FOLIES BERGERE - a legendary theatre where practically all great artists have performed.

OH LALA is a mixture of circus, variety and music hall - featuring the absolute top of the tops of visual artistes, there is live music, singing and dancing displaying a great amount of dynamics, young, elegant artistes, producing amazing stunts that are seldom seen: acrobatics, hula hoop and much comedy.

The OH LALA SHOW is presented at a breathtaking pace, offering original stunts and costumes.

As a kind of teaser, performers are walking around in the bar area, making a first contact with the audience, before the very show.

The OH LALA SHOW is a MUST - don't miss it!!!

All photos by courtesy of Bruno Da Cruz

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

Click here to see a video teaser for the show.

See more: www.ohlala-paris.com

-------------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

28 July 2016

A circus king turns 70 - Benny Berdino 70 years.

On 3 August Benny Arne Berdino-Olsen of Circus Arena can celebrate his 70 years birthday. His home town is Aarslev at Slagelse, but most of the year Benny Berdino is on tour with his circus or hunting all around the world for good artists.

Benny Berdino. Photo: Kitt Jochumsen

Benny Berdino is son of Arne "Berdino" Olsen and Mrs Lydia. Arne Berdino founded Circus Arena in 1955 after several years as a performer at fairs. In the beginning Circus Arena was Denmark's smallest circus. The staff consisted of the owner, his son Benny, his daughter Jytte and the strongman Abdullah. Later the clown Larno joined the team. When Arne Berdino passed away in 1976, Circus Arena was a medium sized circus. But the new owner Benny Berdino would not just run a medium sized. His dream was to get the largest circus in the Nordic countries and to be in the premier league of European circus owners. His dream came true years ago with good assistance from his wife Hanne, who comes from an old artist family, and the couple's two children, Suzanne and Jackie.

Although Benny Berdino today is owner of the largest circus in the Nordic countries he has not always had success. In the late 1980s he ran into financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt. Assisted by his family and a circle of friends who had thrust in him Benny Berdino however managed to continue with his cicus. Also later, there have sometimes been difficult years. The circus industry has always been an industry where it goes up and down, and Benny Berdino has as several others in the industry had to close loss-giving companies to save the rest of the circus empire. But every time things have looked black Benny Berdino has managed to find someone who has provided the necessary funds to continue operation of Circus Arena.

In 2016 where he has celebrated his 40th anniversary as circus owner, he can look back to 40 seasons with performances which never has disappointed his audience. And audience wise 2016 seems in several cities to be better than the previous years.

In addition to the tented tour in Denmark Circus Arena and Benny Berdino has for the last 30 years in row every autumn visited Greenland. He has also visited Iceland, the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands.

The change of the winter quarter in Aarslev by Slagelse to a theme based park called Circusland,  had a difficult start but has in recent years developed into a sound business which now has Benny’s daughter Suzanne as manager.

Benny Berdino is known as an outgoing person with a lot of show. After a double bypass surgery a few years ago, he was forced to slow down a bit and has left an increasing part of the operational responsibility to his son and daughter-in-law Jackie and Laura, who also stands as co-owners of the circus empire. Also his grandson Patrick who this year is ringmaster is put into position as crown prince.

As mentioned Benny Berdino is today owner the largest circus in the Nordic countries. In 2008 the Queen bestowed him with one of the royal orders: the Order of Dannebrog. Before that the late Albert Schumann was the only person from the circus world which had been bestowed with a Danish order.

On Benny Berdino’s birthday Circus Arena has performance in Hillerod 40 kilometres north of Copenhagen. There is a birthday reception with brunch in the tent from 10 to 13.

26 July 2016

Circus Zalmovs last season. "We have decided that 2016 will be Circus Zalmovs last season," Flora and Venzel Zalmov writes and continues: "Our skills and physics is despite our gradually considerable age is still present, but the increasing bureaucracy as well as unfair competition with government-subsidized performances such as Circus Summarum, has minimized our desire to continue. Absolutely final performance in the circus will be 14th August at 15. We hope you will have the opportunity to come and experience what our German guests call "Richtig lustig altmodischer Zirkus" while it is still possible." (My translation).

Venzel Zalmov has since 2004 operated his small circus, which with its tent with a diamager of 13 meter has been permanent set up at Houstrup Strand in the western part of Jutland in July and August.

Circus Zalmov at Houstrup Strand. Photo from 2014

Before that Venzel Zalmov spend his childhood in the now closed Danish Circus Miehe, where his father was bandmaster and his mother horse rider. Later Venzel had a career as tight wire acrobat, comedy musician and animal trainer, mainly abroad and mostly the United States. But when he met his wife to be Flora and started a family he returned to Denmark where he for seven seasons worked for the amusement park Faarup Summerland and for four seasons for the amusement park Summerland West. For some seasons he also worked for Soren Ostergaard, both in Soren’s Zirkus Nemo and Soren’s variety theatre shows.

22 July 2016

Schumann horse show on Funen. For the fourth year in row Laura Schumann Torres present together with her husband Luis a horse show at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm in Morud at Funen. This year, they call the show The Horse Powered Stunt Show and apart from beautiful horses it features Luis with various stunts, see e.g. the photo above. Laura, who is the granddaughter of the late Max Schumann, met her husband Luis while they both worked in the Big Apple Circus in New York. Before Luis fell in love with the pretty Scandinavian girl he had among other things performed together with the world famous clown Bello Nock, who have many stunt elements in his entrées.

You can see The Horse Powered Stunt Show to and including 14 August. Wednesday to Friday at 16, Saturday and Sunday at 13:30 and 16. The address is Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm, Tokkerodvej 24, 5462 Morud.

21 July 2016

Sirkus Jesper. Lise Kokholm has visited Sirkus Jesper in Kristiansand Zoo in Norway and sent me the photos below.

The former robber in Cardamom Town Jesper, now circus manager, show people the way to the tent. All photos © Lise Kokholm.

Sirkus Jesper’s tent

The Danish clown Bonbon

Oktay and Telman Novruzov

Konstantin Mouraviev

Bonbon and his father Arne Nørager, who both had birthday the day Lise Kokholm visited the show: Lasse "Bonbon" Nørager turned 51 and Arne Nørager 80.

20 July 2016

Change in program in Circus Maximum. The Urunov family have left the Swedish Circus Maximum, where they did four acts in the performance: Laura Urunova with dogs and as a juggler on horseback and Ruslan Urunov and Elena Dzen with quick-change and high school riding. They are replaced by Alain Alegria in Washington trapeze and Andrejs Fjodorovs and his pigeons. The Danish audience knows Alain Alegria from Circus Dannebrog 2015. Andrejs Fjodorovs was also with Circus Maximum in 2015.

The daredevil Alan Alegria, here balancing on a chair

Andrejs Fjodorovs was also one of the performers in Circus Maximum 2015. He had his international debut in Danish Circus Arli in 2008. Photo: Tobias Schött

19 July 2016

The Danish Cicus Award. At the awards ceremony on 23 August three awards will be given: The honorary award ("The Danish Circus Award"), a talent award and an award for the best act of the year.

The honorary award which is accompanied of a lump sum of 10,000 DKK, a gift voucher for a travel and a painting done by the internationally acclaimed Danish painter Viggo Salting is awarded to a person in recognition of his special merits for the circus arts in Denmark. The award can only be received once. There will be no nominations for this award. The award will be presented by the Danish Culture Minister Bertel Haarder.

The Talent Award is awarded preferably to a younger artist. In the assessment, the jury looks at the artist's special talent, including the ability of strong personal charisma and artistic daring. The talent award consists of a diploma and a lump sum of 10,000 DKK. To be considered for a nomination the artist must have performed in Denmark in 2016. Three artists / acts will be nominated for this prize.

The Award for the best act of the year is given to the act which the jury consider as the best in season 2016. The award consists of a diploma and a lump sum of 1,000 Euro. To be considered for a nomination to be the artist / artist troupe must have performed in  Denmark in 2016. Three artists / acts will be nominated for this prize.

The names of the nominated acts will be announced on 1 August

The names of the prize winners will not be published until the award ceremony.

17 July 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  a regularly appearing cultural phenomena, viz. CIRQUE GONTELLI, a small circus and virtually the only one specializing in programs geared at the smallest fry, 3 - 7 years, but for commercial reasons even the youngest ones of 2 , are welcomed.

CIRQUE GONTELLI performs during the summer season in the tiny squares, which exist in Paris, called "squares" after English model. Although the climate in Paris is known as "temperate", it is not always good for circus which means that CIRQUE GONTELLI during wintertime features its show in Marseille and surrounding resorts, the situation on the Mediterranean means nearly always pleasant weather.

CIRQUE GONTELLI sports a small and nicely well-kept chapiteau, holding about 120 seats, everything in good condition, there are appropriately small chairs for the youngest ones - and comfy chairs for the adults, from the kiosk are sold balloons, souvenir posters, candy, candy floss, red clown-noses and hula hoop rings - in case anybody would like to try it out for themselves....

Photo:© Kent W. Dahl / Eyefish Media

The program: juggling using hands and feet, acrobatics, aerial ring, rola bola, tight wire, queen of doves, trained goats - well, they do a little bit as they please, white mice and a somewhat turbulent cat ... and all of it is unpretentious and great fun !! It also goes for the clown entrée - still very much beloved even if seen - a number of times. Children like to -   recognize things they love.

Photos: © Kent W. Dahl / Eyefish Media

CIRQUE GONTELLI is managed by an old circus family: Dad SERGE, Mum FABIOLA, children OHPELIE, /19/, CHRISTIAN, /16/, MARY, /12/ and the youngest one, /6/, - they all give a hand and perform in various acts,  OHPHELIE and CHRISTIAN would have success even in a bigger circus.

Everyone participates:  raising the chapiteau, administration, putting up posters, there is work to do all the time - it is worth admiring - and as cultural as many other happenings - as I see it.

See more: www.lesgontellis.com

--------------------------------------  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

15 July 2016

Bent Soelberg turns 80. On Tuesday 19 July Bent Soelberg can celebrate his 80 years birthday. For many years he was associated with the Danish Circus Arena, where he for several seasons was stable master. He also worked 4 seasons for Circus Schumann in the Copenhagen Circus Building. He also worked in several of the seasons where Benny Berdino produced the Swedish Circus Skratt for this circus. Together with his wife, the aerial acrobat Sonja Soelberg, he has also worked for a number of other foreign circuses.

Bent Soelberg

14 July 2016

Circus Dannebrog in full swing. After a rather difficult start, where it until a few days before the opening night was uncertain if Circus Dannebrog would tour this year, Circus Dannebrog has in the first half of the season has some cancellations. Partly due to flooded or circus lots and partly because they lacked experienced tent workers.

The last problem has fortunately been solved by now, so they can again move the  tent "overnight" and go through with the planned tour without cancellations. Their talented team of artists, musicians and tent workers are looking forward to welcome the audience to this year's show. Currently Circus Dannebrog is in the northern part of Jutland. Later in the month they will be heading south until they mid-August come to Zealand.

After some months with a number of cancellations ringmistress Agnete Louise Enoch and the Clown Charly Carletto can again every day welcome the audience in Circus Dannebrog. Photo: Lise Kokholm

13 July 2016

Obituary. The Swedish acrobat Sven "Berra" Bertil Eriksson, who was known under the artist name Bertil or Berra Kelly, has passed away 11 days before he would have turned 103 years. From the late 1920s and into the 1960s, he was part of the troupe "The Three Kellys," which later became "The Two Kellys". The troupe's specialty was perch. Berra’s son Lennart Eriksson tells that the funeral is expected to take place on 25 August at Skogsträdgaarden.

12 July 2016

Circus Big is one of Denmark’s tiny circuses. Usually there are two or three performers in their performance. As previous years, they have a two week summer tour where they visit some campgrounds and have circus school for kids, circus parade and a show.

Photos by courtesy of Clown Knud (Thomas William Larsen) from Circus Big. He is seen at the front of the lower photo.

11 July 2016

Sweden's Magic Museum opened. The Swedish magician Christer Nilsson with the artist name Christer el Ricco has over a lifetime built up a collection Sweden Magi-Archive, which undoubtedly is the biggest of its kind in Scandinavia.

Last year, Christer Nilsson, born in 1931, decided to hand over his unique collection to a new museum, which has been named Sweden's Magic Museum. The museum opened its doors to the public on Sunday 10 July. The museum is situated in Kolmaarden Hantverksbyn.

Hantverksbyn in Kolmaarden is a handicraft town located in Kolmaarden's cultural centre, Sandviken, 150 kilometres southwest of the Swedish capital Stockholm. The address is Hamnbacken 6, 618 34 Kolmaarden. The museum has no fixed opening hours but Tim Star and his wife have a workshop in one of the other houses in Hantverksbyn. In daytime in the summer months you can contact Tim Star in his workshop to get access to the museum. Prior agreement may be possible by contacting Tim Star at e-mail timstar@sverigestrollerimuseum.se or telephone +46 70981 3545

You can read more about the museum at http://sverigestrollerimuseum.se/

In connection with the opening Christer Nilsson made a speech and said it was a great day! After gathering material for 70 years, the collection now had a real home. He also thanked all those who over the years donated material to the collection.

Tim Star, Eva Andersson (chairman of a local culture centre) and Christer Nilsson.

From the exhibition. Photos: Gertrud Nilsson, Håkan Romlin. At  http://magiarkivet.se/ you can see more photos

8 July 2016

Circus Minimax, which calls itself Norway's best mini circus, has now started the season. They celebrate their 5th anniversary and have for the first time ever a printed program. The performers this year are Danish Oliver Berdino with juggling balls, clubs and diabolos. Furthermore he present dogs trained by his mother Suzanne Berdino. This year's clown is also from Denmark: Don Carlos, who years back had several seasons with Circus Mascot. Mr. Carlo aka circus owner Carl-Andre Hjelvik presents the performance and does a rola bola act. A special guest artist at some of the performances is Palle Bay Henriksen aka Mr Toons. He is Danish but have in recent years been living in Norway.

7 July 2016

Rain teases circuses. In the recent days heavy rain in Denmark has given the circuses problems. E.g. Circus Arena had to move a performance Thursday night from Hornbaek to Elsinore as the circus lot in Hornbaek was flooded.

In Svendborg Zirkus Nemo usually use the lot known as Christiansminde. This year, however, they moved to a lot next to the harbour, because the rain had made the ground at Christiansminde so soft that is was impossible put up the tent.

Jacob Boas Leitisstein has sent me this photo of the Christiansminde lot which Zirkus Nemo couldn’t use this year.

6 July 2016

Busy children’s entertainer. With 5 shows every week - three in the Lalandia tropical holiday resort Rodby and two in Lalandia tropical holiday resort in Billund as well as the overall responsibility for children's entertainment in Lalandia Mr. Plys is one of the busiest children's entertainers in Denmark. Mr. Plys, whose real name is Niels Lærkegård was trained as a radio and television vendor. But since in 1990 it was decided to have child-friendly entertainment in Lalandia, he has made a living as a magician, ventriloquist and entertainer.

Mr. Plys with Monky Tonky show at the Amfi stage in Lalandia Billund. Click here to see a video clip from Mr. Plys’ own show at the Amfi stage.

In addition to his own show Mr. Plys has for the summer holidays booked two skilled acrobats, the Rivoli Duo, to perform in Lalandia Rodby. He sent me the photos below from their show and writes:

Duo Rivoli does it really good and are nice persons. They alternate with each other during the 30 minutes long performance. First Monika with 5 beautiful white poodles. It works really well on the audience, especially the smaller kids. Each dog has a specific role with Monika.

Monika with her dogs

Sandro does magic with cards and coins has a funny routine with a child from the audience. Then 3 beautiful illusions with music and great light setting.

From Sandro's magic entre

Duo Rivoli performs mainly in Spain and France and after Lalandia they have a break until Christmas circus in the Netherlands. They have previously performed e.g. in Circus Nock in Switzerland, Circus Bouglione in France, Circus Arnardo in Norway and in Circus Wictoria in Sweden.

Mr. Plys and his two artists

You can read more about Duo Rivoli at http://www.rivoli.at/

5 July 2016

The Danish Circus Award reestablished. The Danish Circus Friends Association has jointly with the Circus House Museum Association (support group for Circus Museum in Rold), a group of former artists and persons with special interest in circus taken an initiative to reestablish the Danish Circus Award.

The Circus Awards logo is created by the “master of the clowns” - the internationally renowned Danish painter Viggo Salting

"A great initiative that we are very happy about," says Martin Arli, who is president of the association of Danish circus directors.

The Danish film world has the Bodil and Robert awards similar to the American Oscar awards. The Danish Theatre world has Reumert prices similar to the Tony awards. But the Danish circus world has not has similar awards since 1968 and 1969 when the then Minister of Culture Kristen Helveg Petersen presented the Danish Circus Award to Albert Schumann, respectively Eli Benneweis.

The Danish Circus Award is headed by a board of four members who also selects the award winners. The first board consists of Ole Simonsen (Chairman), Mrs. Jette Hansen, Jan Hertz and Rud Kofoed.

Ole Simonsen is born in 1945. Master of Laws from the University of Copenhagen 1970. Until retirement in 2010 employed as senior vice president in legal department of Privatbanken / Unibank / Nordea. 2011-2015 on con amore-based artistic advisor for Circus Benneweis. Deputy Chairman of the Association of Danish Circus Friends.

Pia Jette Hansen was born in 1957. She graduated as actor from Odense Theatre School in 1987. From 2001 to 2010 she was managing director at Holbæk Theatre. Since August 2010 she has been managing director of the Gasworks Theatre in Copenhagen, on of the leading Danish theatres.

Jan Hertz is born in 1949. He is an actor, director, stage artist and former theater manager and entertainment manager in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. In the circus context, he put for several years the performances on stage for Circus Benneweis. He was for 15 years a member of the jury behind the Danish theater award the Reumert.

Rud Kofoed is born in 1945. Educated at the Danish Media and Journalism High School. For many years reviewer of performances in theater, revue and circus for the leading Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet to which he remains attached on a freelance basis.

The award ceremony 2016 will take place Tuesday 23 August in the fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, with participation of the Danish Minister of Culture Bertel Haarder.

There will be 3 awards:

• The honorary award ( "The Danish Circus Award")

• A talent award

• An award to the best act in 2016

The names of the prize winners will be published in connection with the award ceremony.

More info on www.danskecirkuspris.dk

2 July 2016

The list of circus museums updated. Dan Roneklint Sorensen has updated his list of circus museums, etc. worldwide. Languages English, German and Danish. Click here to see the updated list, which includes links to a number of interesting websites.

30 June 2016

Circus Jesper. From Norway Lasse "Bonbon" Nørager writes (my translation):

A nice little story in these otherwise difficult times for circuses.

The new venture in Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, Circus Jesper, have opened the season and has so far been amazingly well received.

It is a combination of theater and circus in a good way. Unlike the Danish Circus Summarum Circus Jesper has booked professional artists of high quality and let them take part in a professional theater performance. A bit in style with Danish Zirkus Nemo or Canadian Cirque du Soleil although Circus Jesper can’t be compared with Nemo or Soleil. The author Thorbjørn Egner's heirs have allowed us to fantasize about what happened to the robber Jesper after he is appointed circus manager in the last chapter of the famous book When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town. Therefore, we had to be very precise in our choice of artists, music, costumes and all other details which must live up to the Egner family’s requests.

Photo from the performance in Sirkus Jesper

Starring:

Kristian Winter (Jesper)

Hanna Ronningen (Mrs. Bastian 1)

Linda Frederiksen (Mrs. Bastian 2)

Lasse Nørager (clown Bonbon)

Tiina Myllykangas (Artist)

Joakim Myllykangas (Artist)

Julia Myllykangas (Artist)

Konstantin Mouraviev (Artist)

Oktay Novruzov (Artist)

Telman Novruzov (Artist)

Regi: Jostein Kirkeby-Garstad

Artist consultant and Organization: Lasse Nørager

Tent: TL Production

Audio: Vegard Skretting, Lasse Nørager.

Music Production: All of music, Nikolai Bøgelund, Lasse Nørager etc.

Lighting design: Joakim Foldøy.

Lighting equipment: Spekter

Props: Tiina Mariina Myllykangas.

Scenery: Odd Nordhus, Tiina Mariina Myllykangas, Julia Myllykangas.

Make Up: Kenny Tonjeson

Costumes: Sandra Bergstrand, Tiina Mariina Myllykangas, Helene Halvorsen, Merete Sæbø, Jette Agnes.

Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park has developed into the most visited tourist attraction in Norway and had last year over 1 million visitors. The zoo is more than a zoo: it contains among other things a copy of Cardamom city and offers dozens of performances.

The performances in Circus Jesper take part in a circus tent next to Cardamom city. Play Dates: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the period 26 June to 5 August. The performances begin at 19:00 and lasts about 60 minutes.

27 June 2016

The small Jutland Cirkus Mascot spends the entire month of July in Summerland Zealand where they have two performances every day with free admission for the park’s visitors. On the way to and from the Summerland they are visiting a few towns on Zealand. On Friday 24 June they had a well-attended performance at the circus lot at the corner of Karlslunde Mosevej and Kongens Enge. It is the closest the small circus comes to Copenhagen.

Jørgen Lorenzen reviewed the performance at this website on 10 April and ended by writing: " Mascot lives up to this year's slogan: At the top. No doubt that it will be a success and create joy and happies for everyone who visits the small circus and enjoy the authentic Mascot atmosphere.”

When bringing Jørgen’ review I had no photos from the performance. Due to this, please find below some photos shot during the performance in Karlslunde.

16 year old Husik, son of the clown Gulio and the aerial acrobat Tetyana, opened the show. He has just finished his schooling and has been admitted to the circus school in Kiev, where he starts when the circus season is over. All photos: Ole Simonsen

No Mascot performance without Marianne and her dogs

The performance's veteran is the 67-year-old Hungarian handstand comedian Lui Nereusz. He has two acts: a comic handstand act and a gloriously drunken man entrée where he climbs a lamppost

In addition to being the performance's enthusiastic ringmaster Daniel Deleuran present this year Circus Mascot’s ponies

To the left: Tetyana present a fine and stylish act in vertical rope. To the right: Miss Vitzy does nice glass balance

The performance also includes trained pigs

Last act in the performance is the clown Gulio and his orchestra. He has given the well-known entrée his own touch so it's not just a copy +paste of David Larible’s famous and often copied entrée.

Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited Circus Mascot when they 27 June had performance in Vipperød. Click here for a link to his very good photos.

26 June 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- all the time something new and interesting - now THE THEATRE DU ROND POINT proudly presents a magic fantasy, based on a new way of thinking, lots of imagination and creativity: THE MAGIC CABARET/LE CABARET MAGIQUE/ an original production by Clément Debailleul and Raphael Navarro, played and interpreted by ERIC ANTOINE and friends...... INGRID ESTARQUE, YANN FRISCH, ETIENNE SAGLIO, CALISTA SINCLAIR, and in a well-integrated choreography: FATOU TRAORE.

This show introduces us to a completely new point of view on classical illusions, it is entirely original, interesting and enthralling, the entire plot is geared at a grown up audience, as far as I can see, leaving everyone  thinking  of " HOW IT WAS DONE".

Yann Frisch. Photo: Charlelie Marange, by courtesy of Theatre du Rond Point

Photo: Clement Debailleul Cie, by courtesy of Theatre du Rond Point

In this feature that might be based on some electronics, as both magnetism and electricity were used to perform miracles, viz. when these scientific phenomenon were unknown to the general audience.

Point of interest surely is that it is all about an invitation to the festive, the poetical, the amazing, to the realm of dreams and imagination.

Absolutely worth seeing - after the show and upon leaving, I take it that most people will have a feeling of having attended an event of great art.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.theatredurondpoint.fr & www.ericantoine.com

Venue: Theatre du Rond Point, 2 bis avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 75008 Paris. Metro: Franklin

D. Roosevelt.

……...............................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

24 June 2016

The small Jutland-based Cirkus Mascot will spend the entire month of July in Summerland Zealand where they have two performances every day with free admission for the amusement park’s visitors. On their way to and from the Summerland they are visiting a few towns on Zealand. The above photos were shot on 23 June by Jacob Boas Leitisstein on the circus lot at the corner of Karlslunde Mosevej and King Meadows in the Copenhagen suburb Karlsunde, where Mascot has performance Friday 24 June at 18. It is the closest the small circus comes to Copenhagen. Like most other circuses they had no performance on Midsummer Eve 23 June and managed to put up the tent before the heavy rain and thunderstorm which in many places made Midsummer Eve and the following night a wet experience.

Circus Mascot tent is 18 meters in diameter and can seat 270 persons.

22 June 2016

Street and fair entertainer festival in Viborg. Jorgen Lorenzen visited the festival and writes (my translation):

Svendborg has a clown festival. And now Viborg got a street and fair entertainer festival. It was very successful. There were open air stages everywhere in the city, and there was great crowd of curious spectators who got a happy experience and a healthy laughter.

The Jutland Heroes. Smartphonephoto shot by Lise Kokholm

Busker Sorensen.  Smartphonephoto shot by Lise Kokholm

There was a gala performance in the theatre in Viborg on 18th June at 19

There was free admission, but the hat was passed round and the incoming amount given to Save the Children.

Steen Pegani was a highly competent compere. Frank Thierry played the piano throughout the evening.

David Skunk started with a comical magic trick where one particularly noticed how important the entertainment's facial expression is in a successful number.

Don Carlos played the violin - with a long introduction where the obstacles was standing in line before he was able to play.

Don Carlos. Smartphonephoto shot by Lise Kokholm

The Flying Trunk Circus (Soren and Jorgen) juggled with humor and subtlety.

Janne Koefoed had two entrées. In the first she climbed through rings while raving gibberish. Two spectators had to help her before her troubles were over. In the second entrée she was belly dancer, who juggled with her stomach. It was an example proving that entertainment also has room for the grotesque, on the edge of the macabre.

The Jutland Heroes (Johan Plesner, Soren Stockmar and Mads Haagen) - 3 man high – did acrobatic singing, which was hilarious, and we noticed that the 3 participants had impressive singing voices!

Tonny Trifolikom was Rocker-Kurt, who ate tomatoes before Busker Sorensen juggled (bounced) balls and cracked with his whip. The main trick was that he beat a cigarette out of the mouth of the boy Hannibal who probably was a stake brought for the purpose.

Tape (Henrik Rasmussen) juggled with a balloon which could make noises.

As mentioned Pegani connected each act along with wizardry and magic.

21 June 2016

The clown Jody aka the actor Arne Björk presents his show "The smallest circus" at “Møntergaarden” in Odense.

There are performances every Tuesday to Saturday at 12 noon from 28 June to 15 July. It takes place on the small outdoor stage in Møntergaarrden’s cozy courtyard. Free admission. The event is supported by Odense Municipality, Culture.

The clown Jody present a truly poetic and humorous one-man show that captivates both children and adults and small and reminiscent of silent movies and Charlie Chaplin. Jody has toured as a clown in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Hungary and Japan - for some seasons with Circus Benneweis. He originally trained at Odense Theatre's Dramatic Arts and has worked as an actor.

Odense is known at the birthplace of famous Danish fairytale author Danish Hans Christian Andersen. The Møntergaard building is one of the finest Renaissance properties in the Odense. It was built in 1646 by the nobleman Falk Gøye. Today it is a museum.

20 June 2016

Circus Land summer 2016. Circusland is a theme park owned by the Berdino family and situated in Circus Arena's winter quarters at Aarslev close to Slagelse. Slagelse is located in west Zealand. It is about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Copenhagen.

In a press release Circus Land writes (my translation):  

Now it's time for summer holiday and Circus Land opens again.

Get an experience beyond the usual in Denmark's only Circus Park which is open from 2 July to 8 August and where you can have a lot of fun. There is something for the whole family. You can feel the atmosphere of the Wild West. Our cowboys and Indians have returned from the prairies and we'll visit the new guest stars in our park. You can dig gold, bake bread on a stick, shoot with bow and arrow, ride ponies, take a ride on merry-go round, take a trip with the circus train, take a ride in our swings or on the water in the water balls. Our activities are both outdoor and indoor.

We hoist Circus Lands flag for Our Sherif El Prebsi (Denmark's best ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard), who celebrates his 40th anniversary as an artist. See the special exhibition about ventriloquists over 40 years in our Circus Museum.

Throughout the day you can explore Circus Land, where there awaits a wealth of experiences and exciting activities:

During the day there will be, amongst others sea lion show, western show, children's shows and a real circus with animals, the clown Bertie Balder, Jan Navratil with family and others.

Western-show in the Circus Land. Photo from October 2015. The photo shows the chief "talking waterfall" aka Brian Behrendt and the sisters Charmaine and Stephanie Berdino

In the Circus's Bistro, you can buy delicious dishes at reasonable prices for both children and adults.

Opening in summer holiday 2nd July - August 8 every day at 10 – 17. Admission 99 DKK.  Family ticket for 4 persons 349 DKK.

After paying the entrance fee, all the shows, rides and parking are free.

The address is Circusland, Årslevvej 6, 4200 Slagelse

19 June 2016

Photos from the performance in Circus Trapez. On 15 June you could read Soren Kastoft’s review of the performance in Isabella Enoch Sosman’s Circus Trapez. Jens Chr. Sorensen saw the performance in Give on June 18 and took the photo above and a number of other photos - click here to see them.

18 June 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS ---CIRQUE ELECTRIQUE, co-operating with local authorities, has a stable place for its BIG TOP, where they proudly present their own creations, and also act as guests for other circus companies as well as other forms for entertainment.

They sport a circus-school and favour other cultural activities, creating and maintaining a cultural presence, very necessary and important in this area that tries to cope with great social challenges.

I saw a production by LA LANTERNE MAGIQUE and LA COMPAGNIE L'ENVERS DU DECOR and HENTAI CIRCUS, inspired by Japanese culture, featuring live rock music; they also featured two female acrobats in aerial ring, acrobatics performed on the ground, an original act by a likewise female contortionist, who performed her final stunts in ....... a pool containing water.

Photo by courtesy of Cirque Electrique

A fire artist impressed the audience and so did a stuntman on a motorbike. It is virtually impossible to describe the program in detail, it exploded in imagination, stunts and fantastic costumes.

Photo by courtesy of Cirque Electrique

HENTAI CIRCUS refers to JAPANESE culture and aims to be: a platform for the original, the hilarious, the extreme, ABSOLUTELY WORTH SEEING - provided you are open to embrace and accept the original show performed by dedicated and talented artists.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: http://cirque-electrique.fr/

Venue:  Place du Maquis du Vercors, 75020  Paris.  Metro: Porte des Lilas.

...................................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

15 June 2016

Circus Trapez 2016. Soren Kastoft and his son visited the circus in Billund on 14 June. Soren writes (my translation):

On 14 June 2016 my 8 year old son Villiam and I went to Grindsted to see Circus Trapez.

We saw a well-attended performance in the tent with room for 550 people.

The show began with two of clown troupe Popey’s members playing on instruments and making sure that the proper circus atmosphere materialized before David Sosman welcomed.

Director Bernhard Kaselowsky presented as the first act 5 beautiful Arabian stallions in a beautiful liberty dressage that filled well in the small ring, This was followed by 4 ponies in an equally nice dressage before the "big and little" finished the horse act. Impressive with that many beautiful horses in a relatively small circus.

Next act was Desy Rico with hula hoop. A fine act where dance and acrobatics went up into a higher unity. Villiam was very impressed by the number of hoops.

Desy Rico. Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

One of the clown troupe Popey's members also served as run-in clown and did well-known gags such as the applause competition between the spectators sitting right and left to the ring. Villiam believed that the also for him very familiar run-ins were presented at a crazy and funny way.

The young Stine-Maria from Kolding is according to the program in charge of presenting the goats. But this evening she was assisted by a female member of the German Brumbach family. A fine act where the goats' skills in balancing were proved.

David Sosman presented cows. The large cows came very close to when you sat at the ring side chairs. The children in the audience were very enthusiastic to be able to pat the circus-stars during the act.

The Spanish clown family Popey ended the first part of the performance with a musical entrée in which two flies struggled and where also love had a great and funny part.

The Popey clowns. Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

During the break, there was the possibility of riding on elephants or camels and you could see the many animals in the stables. A camel foal walked around at the lot and everything breathed of peace and harmony and all animal friends can only be satisfied with the animals' living conditions.

The second part of the performance began with David Sosman’s juggling act which has improved since I saw it last time.

David Sosman. Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

The evening's star was according Villiam the illusionist Mr. Joseph, who in a very fast-paced and fun-loving number presented well-known tricks in a charming way.

The conjurer was followed by Gino Gonzales' aerial act.

Gino Gonzales (Gino Ramo). Photo by courtesy of Circus Trapez

Bernhard Kaselowsky presented his camels at a high pace. Nice with a camel act with pace.

The evening's last act was Circus Trapez’s star, the elephant Ramboline, which also fills well in the ring.  A well-known act which is always nice to see once again.

Ramboline also entered the ring in the grand final and helped to say goodbye to the audience.

Villiam and I felt very well entertained for the two hours the show run. It was a good performance with everything which a circus heart can ask for.

14 June 2016

A round birthday. On 14 June Circus Dannebrog’s CEO Agnete Louise Enoch celebrated her 60 year birthday with a reception in the tiny town Ulstrup in Jutland. More than 150 guests, some of which came from afar, had found their way to Ulstrup and helped to pay tribute. At the evening's performance there was almost full house.

From the reception. Above Agnete Louise Enoch with her mother Solveig Enoch. Below: Agnete and her daughter Victoria. Click here to see more photos from the reception

11 June 2016

Program change in Swedish Circus Olympia. Adele and Franco Olivera has stopped at Circus Olympia. The Danes remember them from Benneweis 2015, with their parrots and Franco’s comic gaucho number.

At Olympia they are replaced by The Eyes Group from Ethiopia presenting high speed juggling and a hand-to-hand act.

11 June 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS   --  after problems with terror,  --   cabarets, variety, circus and theatre, also concerts,   are appearing strongly – people want entertainment !

APOLLO THEATRE proudly presents an excellent MAGIC SHOW, by and with GIORGIO and partner, who plays a funny part in the show, disguised wearing various costumes, referring to characters well known by all children, i.e. cuddle bears and others. GIORGIO also uses classical effects, which remain immortal, because of their strong impact on the audience.

Giorgio. Photo by courtesy of the artist

GIORGIO beams joy of performing, dynamism, and enthusiasm, he has his own style which I would call STYLE ROCK´N ROLL – it is sure that ELVIS is enjoying it all in his heavenly place …

Lots of humour and thus an excellent contact with the audience, the children  are royally entertained, so are  the parents, the enthusiasm is general, there is a lot of interaction – the grownups enjoy both the very program and the fact that all the children are happy, one can say that the adults are the great winners !

Finale and exit when everyone gets some candy – and the opportunity to say SEE YOU AGAIN and THANKS.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.apollotheatre.fr/ze-new-giorgio-magic-show-lo838.html

Venue: APOLLO THEATRE, 18 rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, 75011  Paris. Metro:République.

...................................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

10 June 2016

Agnete Louise Enoch turns 60. On Tuesday 14 June Agnete Louise Enoch of Circus Dannebrog can celebrated her 60 years birthday.

Agnete Enoch was born in Copenhagen as the second oldest of four siblings. But her childhood and youth were spent abroad. She traveled all around the world with her parents, the bike artists Solveig and Haddy Enoch. And she became as a child part of the act, which changed its name from 2 Haddies to The Haddies. Her debut on the bike took place in Denmark where the Haddies in 1960 starred in the TV broadcast We meet in the Tivoli Gardens. Agnete Enoch’s childhood was an almost uninterrupted travel to all sorts of circus and music halls - on 5 continents and in 38 countries. Agnete Enoch debuted as bicycle artist, but later she created her own handstand act and was in a period of assistant in an act with snakes and crocodiles. Her debut as ringmistress took place in Sydney in Australia. The year was 1972.

In 1977 she and her family returned to Denmark. They wanted to reestablish the Enoch family’s Circus Dannebrog, which had been dormant for many years. In Circus Dannebrog Agnete performed as handstand acrobat, but she also presented animals: horses, pigeons, cows and elephants. Most famous she is as ringmaster. With her long eyelashes, she is for many the epitome of Circus Dannebrog and with proficiency and authority she has for many years presented the acts in the performance.

This spring was Circus Dannebrog was through a difficult period, but it ended well, and Circus Dannebrog is again to be found in the Danish summer landscape. Agnete Enoch is now - along with two of her siblings – manager of the circus.

In the circus business we know that it goes up and down. But you never give up. Agnete Enoch is a splendid example of a thoroughbred artist and a circus person whose life is dedicated to the circus.

On the birthday is Dannebrog in Ulstrup Jutland - on Dannebrog Lot which is named after this particular circus.

8 June 2016

Obituary: Nick Olander, former chairman of Danish Artist Association passed away on 2 June in the age of 71.

Nick was born in Amager (part of Copenhagen). At the end of the Second World War his dad formed the artist group "The Elvardos" (sometimes spelled Elwardos) which immediately after the war began touring in Europe and quickly became a top attraction. It was the starting point for an international career that lasted until the mid-1980s. The troupe performed with various acrobat- and jumping acts specializing in handstand tricks.

Early Nick got interested in music and piano and for a time was a student of the Danish composer Herman D. Koppel. Nick could undoubtedly have made a successful career as a concert pianist. But he chose a life as an acrobat and was 17 years old when he had his stage debut at the Lido in Paris. Later the Elvardos troupe had a 2-year engagement at the Stardust in Las Vegas. After Las Vegas the troupe which now consisted of Nick's father, Nick and two partners, choose Paris as their domicile. In the following they worked in most of the leading European circuses, including Circus Schumann in Copenhagen in 1966, and at several major stages in the Middle East, just as they for several years performed at the Lido and Folies Bergeres in Paris.

In 1975, the family chose to return to Copenhagen. In the 1980ties the troupe which now consisted of Nick and his father, assisted by his mother, scaled down their activities and in 1986 they stopped. The Elvardos family has always been highly regarded among music hall and circus directors and not the least among artists all over the world.

From 1986 to 2006, Nick Olander was chairman of the Danish Artists Union.

The funeral has taken place in private.

8 June 2016

The Swedish Circus Wictoria has closed the season after a performance on 6 June 6 in their hometown Sysslebäck. Then number of visitors has been disappointing and they have several times been bothered by animal rights activists.

Circus Wictoria was established in 1986 by the illusionist couple Stig and Birgit Moss Hagen (Les Camorys). In 2002 they sold it to the fair and circus man Åke Skogh who after the 2009 season sold it to the current owners Lars Åke and Karin Jonsson.

6 June 2016

The small Norwegian Circus Minimax starts this year’s summer tour on 5 July. It's a bit later than usual. The tented season lasts until 10 September.

5 June 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS   --  now a joyful evening show,  starring  THE CABARET DE VERRE  and its multiple artistes -   tap dancers, acrobats, dancers, equilibrists and comedians.

The show is organized and created by MARION SANDNER, well known on the Paris scene and also international scene - providing joy and entertainment for -- everyone!

The point of interest is the conception of HILARITY and JOY -  this show is performed at a breathless pace and the signature is a seldom seen joy of performing by all the artists, spiced up with a lot of comedy.

This includes a special rhythmic music, costumes that are attractive and the warm contact with the enthralled audience - in fact this performance is suitable for young and elderly as well.

We will congratulate MARION SANDNER to this success and we are looking FW to seeing more of the kind!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: Se mer:  www.marionsandner.com

The CABARET DE VERRE performs at various events and various venues, in Paris consult

L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES, € 0.70, in all news stalls.

.........................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

2 June 2016

Circus Posters in Varde. Perhaps you are getting more publicity from circus posters, if they are taken down!

Circus Arena has certainly got a lot of media publicity in connection with their visit to Varde on Sunday 5 June. They had as usual put up circus posters all over the city. But on Thursday, 2 June staff from Varde Municipality took down 60 of the posters because they was placed on a route where the Danish Queen Margrethe Friday or Saturday will pass by in a carriage along with 48 guardsmen on horses. And the municipal authorities fear that the Queen or the horses are frightened by the colorful Arena posters.

The posters with Arena’s well-known clown logo which Varde municipality believes will bother either Her Majesty or the horses.

Varde Municipality writes in a press release that Circus Arena since March have been aware of the fact that they could not have posters placed on the Queen's route in the days when there was a royal visit.

The municipality had therefore demanded that Circus Arena removed the posters, which the circus refused. At the same time, the circus went to the media with the story.

The promotional value of the history of the posters is certainly far greater than the advertising value of the 60 posters!

It is well-known that Queen Margrethe's more interested in ballet than in the circus. In contrast her husband Prince Henrik is enjoying himself every times he goes to the circus.

2 June 2016

Festival in Porsgrunn. The annual international theater festival in the Norwegian town Porsgrunn is this year in held the days 14 to 18 June. Among the festival's many performances are also artist-and contemporary circus performances. Read more at http://pitfestival.no/forestillinger

2 June 2016

Contemporary circus festival in Copenhagen in August. From 11th-28th August 2016 Copenhagen International Theatre KIT arrange for the fifth time a New Circus Festival with performances from all over Europe. KIT has invited 10 international companies presenting 10 outstanding performances. They will do more than 40 performances in and around the entire city. Indoor, outdoor, in a tent. From contemporary circus with sawdust and live music over magic and mystery to intimate and hazardous solos.

KIT would like to reveal some of the artists, all in great demand throughout Europe, who they proudly present:

Fragan Gehlker / Alexis Auffray / Maroussia Diaz Verbeke (FR) - LE VIDE - essai de cirque: One of the most extreme performances in recent times. Authentic and poetic and based on the myth of Sisyphus. With the artist 15 m up under the roof, with no harness, it plays dangerously with the ultimate consequence of circus – the risk of the fall.

Claudio Stellato (IT) - LA COSA: Four macho men battling a gargantuan pile of firewood. With the their subtle power struggle, and not so subtle fighting, and the reluctance of the firewood to be chopped up or stacked, it is at the same time a humoristic and thoughtful performance about man and nature.

Sanja Kosonen & Elice Abonce Muhonen / Galapiat Cirque (FI/FR) - CAPILOTRACTÉES: The black-haired trapeze artist and the ginger tightrope walker have revived the ancient and painful act of being suspended by the hair. Traditional mysticism, Finnish humour and anything but trapeze and tightrope walking.

Kurt Demey (BE) - UNKNOWN Evidences: Kurt Demey is a mentalist/illusionist/mind reader who for instance creates random coincidences, where people simultaneously get the same impulse or thought. He tricks your brain and leaves you with a feeling of having witnessed pure magic.

27 May 2016

International Clown Festival in Svendborg. Lise Kokholm writes(my translation):

Photo: Lise Kokholm

Now it was time another wonderful Clown Festival in Svendborg, with lots of children's shows for schools and intuitions of local citizens. Also Odense University Hospital in Odense, nursing home, hospice and drop-in centers for persons suffering from arrested development sere amongst those who got a visit from the clowns. This year the clown gala, however, took place in other premises than usual as Svendborg also had a theater and dance festival.

Photos: Lise Kokholm

As always there was on Saturday a parade through town and this time led by various performers from the theater festival, followed by performances around the city. And although the Clerk of the Weather had promised rain most of the week, we only got 10 drops of rain.

Photo: Lise Kokholm

2 May 2016

The tiny Swedish Circus Harlekin is for the time being on tour in the southern part of Sweden. Anders Troedsson writes (my translation):

I don’t know who owns or run the circus. Maybe Trolle Olsson still is the formal owner. Members of the German Sperlich family makes the entire performance.

Photos: Anders Troedsson

26 May 2016

Clown Show at the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. On Sunday 29 May at 10:30 you can see the amazing show The Clowns Show. Here, nine clowns from the Commedia School will give you a good laugh with a number of clown entrées. The show is included in admission price to the museum. The performance is especially suitable for children from 6 years and up. After the performance the whole family can participate in Circus Fun from 11 to 12.30 and try the magic of the circus in the museum’s own circus ring.

The Commedia School is a 2 year actor training program founded by Ole Brekke and Carlo Mazzone in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since 1978, each September, a new group of students from around the world have been attracted to Northern Europe’s oldest physical theater school (fysisk teaterskole) to develop themselves as performers. The school has started students on successful careers in many areas of performing including stage, street theater, circus, puppet theater, magic, children’s theater, performance, cabaret, and film.  Performers who have been educated at The Commedia School are today found at the top of their performing professions globally. The Commedia School is a physical theater school (fysisk teaterskole). The basis of the training is movement, the physical aspect of acting, which is often left out of traditional acting programs. The course is grounded in the pedagogical methods of Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, Jacques Lecoq, and Moshe Feldenkrais. Because each class has students from many countries, the English language is used.

25 May 2016

The Danish People's Party (DPP) (Danish: Dansk Folkeparti, DF) want a ban against sea lions, elephants and zebras in circuses. The Danish People's Party’s animal welfare rapporteur Karina Due told TV2 that the Danish People's Party in the autumn will bring forward a motion in parliament on a total ban against wild animals in circuses. For neither when looking at the animal welfare or safety of the audience is it safe to have wild animals in circuses, Karina Due says. It should still be possible for circuses to present e.g. horses and dogs.

Until now Denmark have had a ban against lions, tigers and other big cats, but not against elephants, sea lions and zebras.

Group chairman of the Danish People's Party, Peter Skaarup has told TV2 that the proposal from Karina Due not yet has been discussed in the parliamentary group.

The aim of the Danish People's Party is to assert Denmark's independence, to guarantee the freedom of the Danish people in their own country, and to preserve and promote representative government and the monarchy. The party is generally described as right-wing populist by academics and far-right by international media. For the time being it is with 37 members of the Danish parliament the second largest party in the parliament which comprises 179 Members.

It is unknown whether Karina Due expects the 6 elephants, which this year are on tour with Danish circuses, to find employment outside Denmark or whether she thinks they should be destroyed. Putting elephants which since they were young calves have survived as domestic animals, out in nature is quite unrealistic, and there is no reason to believe that an elephant who has spent virtually its entire life in a circus will get a better life in a wildlife park than in its familiar circus surroundings. Moreover, the number of circus elephants is getting smaller and smaller, as it is more than 20 years ago since a circus last time was able to buy a young elephant.

As for safety for the audience it is many years ago since we in Denmark have had incidents in which elephants have caused injury to spectators or employees. And I remember never to have heard of incidents where zebras or lions have caused any injury to the audience.

24 May 2016

The world's youngest elephant trainer. Usually it's Adriana Folco, who presents her two Indian elephants in Circus Dannebrog. But Tuesday night the task was for the first time ever taken over by her son, the 17 year-old Amadeo Folco JR. And he passed the test with flying colors. Up to and including Sunday 29 May you can meet Amadeo Folco JR and the elephants in the lot next to Bilka Supermarket in Aarhus.

Marisa Biasini took this smartphone photo of Amadeo Folco JR's debut with the elephants. "Hai un Figlio d'oro" – you have a golden son - she writes on facebook

24 May 2016

Circus Trapez - new or old?

"A new Danish circus is born - when “Animals in the Circus Trapez” has season opening in Jels on 18 May it’s a genuine world premiere - it is the very first time that the circus takes a summer tour", it is stated the press release from Isabella Enoch Sosman’s and Bernhard Kaselowsky’s circus. (My translation)

Circus Trapez’ ticket wagon. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

It is true that Circus Trapez never before have toured Denmark during the summer.

But Circus Trapez is not entirely new. Way back in 2006 Isabella Enoch Sosman without much success tried her luck with dinner shows under the name Dinner Show Trapeze. She also used the Trapeze name when she in 2009 during the school winter and autumn holidays had sold performances for Mega Furniture’s customers in Odense.

Circus Trapeze when the in October 2009 had performances next to Mega Furniture in Odense. Photo: Ole Simonsen

In the summer of 2014 Circus Trapeze was a permanent feature in Madsby Legepark in Fredericia. As a matter of fact using the same old Baldoni tent which they use this year. But spelling the name "Trapeze" which still is used at their entrance although they now have decided to name the circus Trapez which is the Danish word for Trapeze. Since 2014, Isabella has also presented winter circus in a number of arenas in Jutland sometimes used the Trapeze name.

The name is still spelled Trapeze at the entrance to the circus. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Private and now also in Circus trapeze Isabella Enoch and German Bernhard Kaselowsky, are partners (cohabitees). Bernhard is known as an experienced animal trainer.

The animals are an essential part of Circus Trapeze. "We have for years dreamed about creating a circus on the terms of the animals, where we present all Bernhard’s animals and give people a deeper insight into the circus life," Isabella Enoch Sosman says in a statement to the press.

The choice of the name Trapeze for an animal circus is due to the fact that Isabella Enoch Sosman until ten years ago, when a serious car accident put an end to her artist career, worked as a trapeze artist both in Denmark and abroad, especially in Germany.

The tour list indicates that Circus Trapez mainly visits smaller towns and usually spends a day travelling from town to town. Most likely they will only tour Jutland.

23 May 2016

Motor Mille in Circus Arli. DR television’s children's channel Ramasjang has started recording 6 broadcast from Danish circuses. It is done by letting the popular children TV host Motor Mille visit 6 circuses. On Monday, 23 May, she visited Circus Arli in Espergaerde. At this special occasion the clown duo Alejandro and Martino were increased with the clown Milletto aka Motor Mille. The hypnosis entrée was changed so it ended with the classic busy bee entrée. The audience in the crowded tent cheered as Milletto gave Martino "honey" in his head.

The broadcast with Mille in Circus Arli will as the corresponding broadcasts from her visits to Circus Arena, Circus Baldoni, Circus Krone, Circus Kæphøj and Circus Mascot bee broadcasted in spring 2017.

Click here to see more photos of Motor Mille in Circus Arli.

18 May 2016

Norwegian Cirkus Zorba. After a few years break, the Norwegian Circus Zorba has resumed the tour, now with the original Zorba-owner Thor Gujord’s daughter Ronja Gujord as general manager.

The ambitions are high! Cirkus Zorba writes (my translation):

Cirkus Zorba is perhaps the most innovative and creative circus. We aim to create a whole new experience of what circus is. Therefore we get inspiration from others circuses as Cirque du Soleil, and have developed a profile and performance that is modern, accessible and attractive to a new generation of audiences. With a completely new design and a new show, we seek to distinguish ourselves from other circuses. We put off the old and embrace the new!

This year's show is a whirlwind of energy and color! You will feel that it perhaps is worth living a little more every day!

This is one of the reasons we chose to call the show "LIVE EACH DAY." Did you know that "Zorba" is a Greek boy name that means "live each day"?

Live each day is a circus theater that takes up the sore topic to be accepted in a society that seems inaccessible. The story is about a young boy who dreams of being part of the circus world. He longs to be one of the most colorful artists in the circus ring, and moves in a world between dream and reality.

In the Zorba-performance you will meet:

11-year-old Antonin Valla from Czech Republic has the leading part in this year's circus theater. Only 11 years he has not much experience from the scene life, but he comes from a family with long circus tradition.

Ronja Gujord is not just general manager of Circus Zorba, but performs also with her beautiful Russian trotter (orlov trotter) Kapral

Anna Leòn appears in aerial ring & tissue. The Swedes met the pretty and elegant artist in Circus Olympia in 2013.

Anna Leòn. Photo from Circus Olympia 2013

Thor Gujord presents goats and peacock pigeons. Goats have since Circus Zorbas start in 1992 been a permanent element in the performances.

Finnish Veera Kaijanen present a hula hoop act. Furthermore she dances on tight wire.

Likewise Finnish Ramona Reinvall does contortion with candlesticks.

Finnish Matti Koskela is handstand acrobat. Along with Ramona he also presents an adagio number.

Antonin "Mad Tony" Navratil works in Washington trapeze. The Danes saw him in the Circus Krone in 2014 where his entrée aroused fond memories of the legendary Sabu. One clearly understood why some call him the king of the air or Mad Tony. All tricks, however, was done with much professionalism so no one feared an accident.

Mad Tony in his Washington trapeze. Photo from the Circus Krone in 2014

Peter & Amira is a comical dog act. Peter is a member of the family behind Cirkus Zorba.

This year's show is staged by Jimu Makurumbandi

18 May 2016

Swedish Circus Wictoria 2016. Christer Nilsson from Sweden’s Magi-Archive saw the performance in the Swedish Circus Wictoria when it 17 May visited Nyköping. In his blog http://magiarkivet.se/ he writes (my translation):

My first circus visits in 2016 was to Circus Wictoria. They had performance at 19.00 on Tuesday 17 May and were fortunate to have good weather. Hasse Silver has already reviewed Wictoria's performance at http://magiarkivet.se/2016/cirkus-wictoria-2016/  but the program has changed somewhat since the season opened so I also give my opinions, which I for this time do with points.

When the rhythmic circus music begins and all the flashing lights come on, the real circus atmosphere comes automatically. One of the Di Lello clown makes a short funny entrée with a gag with brilliant light before all the artists enter the ring. Circus Director Lars-Ake Jonsson, who is also the ringmaster throughout the performance, welcomes everyone and the show can begin.

Sara Tarantini does a speedy and bold act in the vertical rope. 8 points. The younger Tarantini-generation, 15-year-old daughter Jasmina and two small children, present an act with goats which jumps and balances really well. 6 points. The clown couple Di Lello gets 2 points for clowning but 9 point for the musical part of their art. Karolina and Ladislav Kaiser are working with the whip and knife throwing and get 4 points. Veronica Sulcova is foot juggler with spinning scarves on her hands and feet - 8 points. Maria Bizzarro shows the sword balances in the ring and on a tall ladder - 7 points. Before the interval the clowns has a short gag with a candle - 5 points for the idea.

Di Lellos. Photo: Gertrud Nilsson

During the interval break you could get coffee but I missed hot dogs ... The camel was once outside the tent.

Duo Paschenko are two power athletes, what you can’t believe when you see them - not much to muscles. But they knew their stuff - 10 points. Di Lello returned - now with the broken mirror entrée without good points - the female partner could dance tiptoe and looked really happy, but it can only get 3 points anyway. Anthony Tarantini presented three camels, one of which was debutant – it had just a day earlier started its circus career as hen performed well. 7 points. The year’s top act is undoubtedly Alan Sulc - juggler with up to nine bouncing balls and a fast pace both with the juggling balls and his feet! 10 points because that’s unfortunately is the maximum. The Clown couple entered the ring now with the game on bells - 5 points. Ladislav Kaiser made no one happy when he entered the ring but when he and his partner came up well on the high wire it turned out to be an exiting top class number act. 9 points.

Allan Sulc. Photo: Gertrud Nilsson

Final with e.g. the clowns in luminous costumes. The lengthy applause indicated that the audience was more than happy with the entire program which runs for 2 hours. Welcome back Wictoria!

16 May 2016

Circus Trapez(e). Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited family in Tondern during Whitsun and passed on the way back to Copenhagen Jels, where Circus Trapez has a dress rehearsal on 17 May and opening night on 18 May. He took the photos above as well as a number of other photos which you can see here.

He also made a video in which you can see that Circus Trapez is larger than e.g. Danish Circus Krone but smaller than Circus Arena and Circus Dannebrog.

Zealanders can easily see that the tent is in Circus Baldoni colors. As a matter of fact it is also an old Baldoni tent, which Baldoni sold to Circus Museum in Hvidovre, who later resold it to Isabella Enoch. As Jacobs photos shows Circus Trapeze it is a medium-sized business. At the entrance sign they have preserved the old name Trapeze.

A circus friend from Jutland has promised to help me with a review of this year's performance, when Circus Trapeze gets closer to his hometown.

13 May 2016

The Danish clown (now retired) Joseph Dubsky turns 90 on Saturday 14 May. He was born in Copenhagen but has lived the tiny village Dommestrup on Funen for almost 50 years when he hasn’t been on tour with circuses. He is out of one of the oldest artist families in Europe, but Joseph is as Danish as anyone. Already in 1911 there was "Hungarian Circus Dubsky" in Denmark. Joseph is one of the last classic circus clowns in Denmark and worked for generations in the family clown troupe, among other things, with the comedy Ford car and with the soccer playing dogs. Married since 1953 to Josette Carmen Andreu, one of the clown Polo Rivels many daughters and niece to the world famous clown Charlie Rivel. That same year the newlyweds appeared for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in Olympia in London. Josette and Joseph's last season as clowns were in 2000 when they toured Denmark with Circus Dannebrog. Joseph using his father in law Polos discrete mask with a black nose, Josette in costuming and masking as Uncle Charlie Rivel. During the winter holidays in Week 8 2004, they had one-week comeback in Circus Kenny in Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense.

Josette and Joseph Dubsky in Circus Kenny in 2004. Photo: Lise Kokholm

12 May 2016

Artist performance in Lalandia Rodby. The Danish tropical holiday resort Lalandia in Rodby continues the tradition of having artistic entertainment during the summer holidays on the days when Lalandia's popular children’s entertainer Mr. Plys is on stage at Lalandia Billund with his family entertainment show.

This summer you can every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 20:00 in the period from 29/6 to 14/8 see the Rivoli Duo from Austria with dogs, comedy and magic.

Rivoli Duo

Sandro Rivoli was born in Budapest in 1973, but grew up in Vienna. He comes from a family of musicians, acrobats and tap dancers. In 2002 he met Monika, who was born in Poland in 1978. Since 2003, the couple has worked together. First with Monika as assistant in Sandro's magic shows and his clown entrées. Since 2008 also with Monika's dogs.

11 May 2016

Busy artist family. In the upcoming performance in Isabella Enoch’s Circus Trapez the Spanish Popey-family will do 3 acts: their clown act, Joseph Popey’s illusion act and Desy Rico with her hula hoop entrée. Last year in the Norwegian Circus Arnardo Desy, who also was the female member in the clown act, used the artist name Desy Rich.

In addition to the artists which I have mentioned earlier on this page Mexican Gino Ramos is among the performers, working in solo trapeze and in net. The Ramos family is a Mexican family of aerial acrobats, e.g. known for their act the Flying Ramos. This troupe toured Denmark with Circus Benneweis in 1980 and 1990 and was some years also for a short time with Circus Merano in Norway. Gino Ramos was probably part of the troupe during their visit to Norway, but not when they worked in Benneweis.

11 May 2016

German Circus Mustang to Sweden. Martin Lasson Berglund writes (my translation):

"This week (week 19) Circus Mustang takes the ferry from Germany to Sweden. For several years Cirkus Mustang visited Sweden every summer and now it is time again for the German circus to visit Sweden. During the 1990’ties Circus Mustang was a large circus with several elephants and a large number of horses and exotic animals. However they had severe problems with their animal welfare and in 2005 their permission to present animals was temporary withdrawn. Furthermore the often left cicus lots in a mess giving problems for other circuses. Today the elephants have disappeared and the number of animals in general has declined and even the tent and trailer park is smaller. In recent years, they have had confrontation with other Swedish circuses, including fights with the advertising staff at Maximum in 2002. Two years ago all posters etc. for Swedish Circus Olympia in Sjöbo was pulled down during a night. Mustang was in Sjöbo when it occurred and Olympia would come a week later. Where in Sweden Circus Mustang will travel this season is for the time being unknown.”

When Cirkus Mustang visited Sweden in 2014, they used this tent. Cirkus Mustang is owned by the Weisheit family. Photo: Martin Lasson Berglund

Some years ago a few German circuses tried without success their luck in Denmark. Today the Danish requirements for certification of circus tents make it very difficult for a foreign circus to tour Denmark. Either they have as the Danish circuses have had to pay about 100,000 DKK (13,500 Euro) to get their tent certified (a certification process takes several months), or they must have (and pay for!) building permit on every lot where they want the tent to be put up.

11 May 2016

Dutch model circus sold to Denmark. Kasper "Alberto" Mortensen writes (my translation):

"Today, I am fortunate to be the new owner of Europe's largest model circus, purchased today on the auction of the collection of Circus Herman Renz in Holland. We have been in Holland and I fell in love with that great model circus, and I am excited to show it to Benny Berdino (CEO of Circus Arena), who also has a weakness for model circuses. Also a couple of people from Germany were interested in buying the large model circus. But fortunately it's is now going to Denmark ...

Also some other effects from the circus auction is coming with us to Denmark, trailers, decorations, etc. "

   
Photos provided by Kasper Mortensen.   

The Dutch model circus is called Circus Cinbia and built by Dutchman Jo Toonen in the scale 1:87

9 May 2016

New job for Louise Mandrup. Louise Mandrup Rasmussen, who in the years 2011-2014 was sales and marketing manager for Circus Benneweis and after that has worked for Fredericia Theatre, has got a new job: Since the beginning of 2016 she has been employed as project manager at the Energy Museum in Bjerringbro responsible for communications, marketing and events. However, her interest in circuses and artists are not gone. She is often seen as a guest, often together with her good friend Judy Glosted who for seven seasons in the years 2006-2014 was ringmistress in Circus Benneweis. Louise told me that she misses circus and hope someday to get some kind of comeback.

Louise Mandrup. Photo from Benneweis 2012

4 May 2016

Small program change in Circus Arnardo. The Norwegian Circus Arnardo has so far had to say goodbye to one of the season's top acts: Desire of Flight, who won a golden clown in Monte Carlo in 2014 for their excellent act in aerial straps. The troupe's male member Valeriy Sychev has sustained an injury and needs surgery. Therefore he is unable to work for a period.

Desire of Flight - gold clown winners from Monte Carlo, where they also took part in this year's anniversary festival. Photographed by Thorbjorn Klaebo Flo at the premiere on March 13 this year in Circus Arnardo.

Valeriy Sychev and Malvina Abakarova created their great act in 2004 and have since presented it in a number of leading Russian, European and American circus. Season 2016 should have been their first season in Scandinavia. But the performed just for a few weeks before they had to take a break due to Valeriy’s health problems.

4 May 2016

The Danish Circus Trapez has now with few exceptions published the names of the performers at this year's show, which will premiere in Jels in the southern part of Jutland on 18 May. The directors Isabella Enoch Sosman and Bernhard Kaselowsky have at the same time decided to call their circus Trapez and not Trapeze. “Trapez” is the Danish word for Trapeze.

They believe that audiences want to see a lot of animals when visiting a circus. Therefore, there are 5 animal acts in the performance: the elephant Ramboline, cows, six Arabian stallions, camels and 7 goats. All animals belong to Isabella Enoch and her spouse Bernhard Kaselowsky. The animal acts will be presented by Bernhard Kaselowsky, Isabella's son David Sosman and Stine-Marie Greisen. Stine-Marie Greisen has been connected to habitat Gademix in Kolding, where Isabella Enoch has been among the instructors for the performances at Circus Gademix (a youth circus performance).

Circus Trapeze has previously told that this year's clowns are the Spanish Popey family. The show also features Joseph Magic Show. It is an illusion show presented by the 28-year-old Joseph Popey. He is, as the name indicates, member of the Popey family.

In addition to animals, magic and clowns you will also meet David Sosman as a juggler, a hula hoop act with a touch of flamenco dance and acrobatics in the air. I expect that both the hula-hop act and the aerial acts are performed by young talents which Isabella Enoch has met in Circus Gademix.

David Sosman photographed in 2014 when Circus Trapeze, as they called themselves at that time, spent the entire season in Madsby Park in Fredericia

Circus Trapez has room for 550 spectators. The cheapest tickets will cost 129 DKK (9.60 Euro) and the most expensive 199 DKK (14.80 Euro). A bit cheaper than in the large circus, but roughly on a par with ticket prices in Circus Arli, Circus Baldoni, Circus Krone and Circus Mascot. Circus Trapeze is expected primarily to tour in Jutland and will probably not visit Zealand.

Stefan Rothman, who years ago worked for the German circus Renz-Berlin during their tour in Denmark, is together with Anita Anita Elgaardkast responsible for sales of performances and events.

Anima, who call themselves Denmark's active association for animal rights, has under the heading "Save the circus elephant Ramboline" started a campaign against elephants in circuses. It is true when the association tells that Ramboline was born in Zimbabwe and as a young calf was sold to the circus. But the association's allegations of cruel treatment, mental degradation, etc. are pure fiction. And when they tell us that the 34-year-old elephant in the wild would walk long distances together with other elephants they forget to add that the vast majority of African elephants long before the age of 34 years has died of illness or been killed by poachers.

Ramboline and her owner Bernhard Kaselowsky. Photo from 2015.

3 April 2016

On 29 April 2016, I mentioned that the artist Kasper Jensen just as previous years works as a street performer in the Danish amusement park Bakken. Per "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen has taken the above photo as well as a number of other photos of Kasper, both from this year and from previous seasons. Click here to see Per’s photos.

2 May 2016

A circus baby. While Circus Dannebrog during the week-end was visiting Esbjerg, Robert Berousek's wife Marisa Biasani who was pregnant got labour pain. On the Southwest Jutland Hospital in Esbjerg, she gave birth to a healthy little boy who has been named Italo. Congratulations to Robert and Marisa!

Robert Berousek with his son Italo

So far Adriana Folco taken over the role as assistant to Robert Berousek during his acts.

2 May 2016

Circus Scott 2016. After a poor season in 2015, it has been uncertain if the Swedish Circus Scott would tour this year. But now it seems as if they will have a season in 2016, although only for 2½ week and only in Stockholm. They write (my translation):

Circus Scott creates this year, along with Hatten Publishers, Sweden's first and largest musical circus when the children's favourites’ Babblarna step into the rings magical world and meet their fans. Babblarna, with its unbelievable 50 million clicks on YouTube, together with Robert Bronett, exciting artists and acrobats, horses and dogs present their super hits and get the whole tent to dance! At Circus Circus Scott's unique park, which opens one hour before the show, the audience can meet with Babblarna, try tightrope walking, pony rides or try to learn to turn a somersault.

The premiere takes place on 8 September at the circus lot at Lindarängsvägen in Stockholm and there are performances from 8 to 24 September. The show will last 1 hour and 30 minutes long, including a 20 minute interval.

"THE NORDIC REGION'S LARGEST MUSICAL CIRCUS! Babblarna, Robert Bronett, amazing artists, dogs, horses, eight musicians, 2 singers, 8 dancers and much more" Circus Scott promises.

30 April 2016

The Circus Museum in Rold. Jorgen Lorenzen writes (my translation):

Opening the special exhibition about Circus Dannebrog due to Dannebrog's 40th anniversary.

About 30 people had gathered in the museum's multi-purpose room which forms the outer framework of the exhibition. The President of the Museum Friend’s Association Jorn Rasmussen welcomed before curator Ulla Egeskov told about the exhibition.

And then there was the opportunity to delve into a paradise of props, costumes, films and photos - including several that never have been shown publicly before. Especially I noticed some of the family's old bikes - marked by the ravages of time, but still in working order. And there was a fine selection of costumes where especially Agnete Louise Enoch’s gowns brightened.

The exhibition is versatile, informative and educational, and it gives a good insight into this powerful family's life: the family's skill as performers, the unity that has been necessary and, above all a strong love of the circus tradition and disciplines, as shown in the ring. It will come as no surprise to anyone that especially bike acrobatic plays a big role in the exhibition. (Haddy Enoch and his family started as bike acrobats before re-establishing the old Circus Dannebrog in 1977)

From the opening of the exhibition. In the background you can see one of Agnete Louise Enoch’s dresses. To see more photos from the opening and the exhibition: click here

The Circus Museum in Rold, Jutland, is Denmark's oldest circus museum. The address is Østerled 1, Rold 9510 Arden. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 12 to 16 in the period from May to September. Closed on Mondays.

29 April 2016

A birthday with a round figure: Venzel Zalmov turns 70 on 5^th May. On Venzel Zalmov’s birth certificate is written Per Venzel Mikkelsen Zalmov. He and his siblings were by request of their grandmother given double names which they could use when the revolution (the Russian in 1919) after the grandmother's perception soon came to an end and she and her family could get back to her old country!

Venzel Zalmov

Venzel Zalmov spend his childhood at the now closed Danish Circus Miehe, where his father was bandmaster and his mother horse rider. Later Venzel had a career as tight wire acrobat, comedy musician and animal trainer, mainly abroad and mostly the United States. But when he met his wife to be Flora and started a family he returned to Denmark where he for seven seasons worked for the amusement park Faarup Summerland and for four seasons for the amusement park Summerland West. For some seasons he also worked for Soren Ostergaard, both in Soren’s Zirkus Nemo and Soren’s variety theatre shows.

Since 2004, Venzel Zalmov has run his own circus which with its tiny 13 meter tent can be seen at Houstrup Beach in the west part of Jutland in July and August. The tent decor and is almost at in old days' cabinet of curiosities. There are whimsical props and whimsical devices everywhere - often to play music on or with. And then there's the circus director and his assistant, who has composed a spectacle with one comic and subtle flavor and incident follows another.

The circus director is not home at his birthday 5 May but looks forward to seeing family,

friends, colleagues and business associates for an informal reception in the tent at the circus lot at Houstrup Beach on Saturday 18th June between 11 and 15.

29 April 2016

The weather teases the large circuses. The rainy and chilly weather continue to tease the circus people. In this week Circus Arena had to cancel a show in Silkeborg on 26 April and Circus Dannebrog a show in Esbjerg on 28 April. The work with large vehicles and heavy equipment on muddy lots makes it also difficult to keep the tent workers, most of them coming from Poland. An amendment in Danish legislation has made it impossible to use Ukrainian tent workers who otherwise would be more than happy to get a job in Denmark.

29 April 2016

Street performer at Bakken. This summer you can experience the versatile Danish artist Kasper Jensen as street performer at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen. You can meet him on weekends and public holidays and every day from Midsummer until the end of August. He will typically be there from 12 to 18.

Kasper Jensen's specialty is juggling, mime, dance and comedy, and he works in the genres of circus, entertainment, music hall and street show. For several seasons he has during the summer worked as street performer at Bakken. In 2013/14 he was part of Wallmans Dinner Show at the Copenhagen Circus Building.

To the left: Kasper Jensen with devil stick juggling at Wallmans in May 2014. Photo: Ole Simonsen. To the right; Kasper Jensen at Bakken. Photo by courtesy of Kasper Jensen.

27 April 2016

Isabella Enoch’s Circus Trapeze which probably will open the season in the village Jels on 18 May tell this year's clowns are the Spanish Popey family. They worked last year as musical clowns in the Norwegian circus Arnardo. The troupe consisted then of a white faced clown, 2 auguste clowns and a female member.

The Popey family in Circus Arnardo in 2015.

26 April 2016

Contemporary circus in Roskilde. This weekend features a contemporary circus performance in Roskilde. It is the Finnish troupe Race Horse Company with their performance Motosikai. It is presented as follows:

3 circus performers, offbeat humor, acrobatics, teeterboard-spring and a host of surprises. Everything is crammed in and around a van and folded out as a fun and energetic circus show with lots of choreography. Be prepared for high energy, acrobatic prowess and breakneck action when Race Horse Company takes the stage with their Finnish horsepower.

Photo from the show Motosikai. Photographer: Kungen Kosonen

Race Horse Company was founded in 2008 by Petri Tuominen, Rauli Kosonen and Kalle Lehto. Motosikai, which premiered in May 2015, is their newest show.

The visit of the Finnish company is organized by Open Dance - Regional Dance Theatre in Roskilde, as part of SWOP - International dance festival for children and youth. There are performances Friday, April 29 at 17 on Stændertorvet in Roskilde and on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, at 16 in Hall 9 - Eventhal on Musicon, Musicon, Rabalderstræde, Roskilde.

25 April 2016 

Circus in DR TV. In recent years Denmark’s leading TV channel DR has only focused on the children's theatrical performance Circus Summarum. But this summer there they will during the summer have 6 broadcast from traditional circuses so that children can learn what a real circus is.

24 April 2016

The Circus Museum in Roald has this year a special exhibition about Circus Dannebrog through 40 years as Dannebrog this year has season no. 40 since Haddy Enoch restarted it in 1977. The anniversary exhibition tells the brief story on everything from bike equilibrism to circus dreams. In words and pictures, with funny anecdotes, props, costumes, posters and film it gives a fascinating insight into Denmark's National Circus (a trademark registered by Circus Dannebrog).

Although Rold-museum first opens the season on May 1, a number of guests are invited to the exhibition opening on Friday 29 April at 14. The exhibition will be opened by Jørn Rasmussen, chairman of the museum's support association Friends of the Circus House who was one of the initiators to open a museum next to the Miehe family's old riding house. However it was the late circus historian Anders Enevig and museum curator Peter Riismøller from Aalborg Historical Museum, which was the main “drivers” in saving the old roding house.

22 April 2016

Zirkus Nemo 2016. The performances in Zirkus Nemo is a mixture of a comedy show with the owner, the Danish actor and comedian Soren Ostergaard, and a traditional circus performance with very good artist.  Rud Kofoed attended the opening night on 20 April in Horsens and was excited. Rud was for many years reviewer for the leading Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. Rud gave the performance 5 out of 6 possible stars. Below I quote part of Rud’s review of the performance (my translation). Rud’s review of Soren Ostergaards entrées is hardly understandable for other than Danes.

Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

One of Soren Ostergaard’s most beloved parts is as “Smadremanden” (the Smash man). Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Soren Ostergaard with a long arm. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

We have seen Captain Frodo before, but not so much as this year. The rubber man is incredible and back with brand new tricks. Now he climbs through two tennis rackets with his entire body. One of the rackets is five centimetres smaller than the 'ordinary' tennis racket. In general it will be impossible. But not for the confetti throwing mad Frodo who comes from Australia, but otherwise is out of a Norwegian family of entertainers. He is crazy, but unique and not a great burden for costume budget, but absolutely for the laughter budget!

Captain Frodo. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

On top of everything, the zirkus owner has once again succeeded in finding artist of the best kind. The tango juggling duo Menno and Emily van Dyke's act is outstanding. The Dutch juggler and French ballerina unite the two art forms in an impressive, stylistically beautiful tango, which has hardly be seen before in our part of the world...

Menno and Emely van Dyke. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Love continues with Love is in the air - and the Eiffel Tower - with Duo Solys which consists of Cuban Hector Yzquierdo and Tatania Colaguy which he randomly spotted in the audience at a performance in New Caledonia. The outcome is an extremely beautiful act.

Duo Solys. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The American brothers Fabio and Guliano Anastasinis are the ninth generation of a family doing Risley acts: to 'lie on your back' and throw the other person another round with your legs. No matter how easy it looks, it's quite a feat we are seeing.

Anastasinis. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Should anyone need a bit of Italian housewife strip, chances are here - with Steacy Giribaldi who is presented under the title: Italian for advanced! - And surely it is. Do not take this with the strip too literally. It's her seductive style that gives you that idea when she gives a 'course' in how to run up and down a ladder.

Steacey Giribaldi. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The orchestra has always played a major part in Nemo. This year we are experiencing a new peak with the accordion playing Øjvind Ougaard as bandmaster. And then trumpet artist Kasper Tranberg. The orchestra is in itself worth the whole performance. It is just so super and non-digital.

It is no wonder that Nemo with its ' Denmark's only zirkus for adults'-slogan has become one of the best circus business in Denmark. They have managed to find an audience that not necessarily is the traditional circus audience.

Click here to see more of Rud Kofoed photos from the show.

21 April 2016

Danish Circus Krone 2016. A happy and proud Irene Thierry wearing one of the late Thyra Miehe's old costumes welcomed the guests when she Tuesday had opening night for this this year's Krone-performance. It was the best Krone-performance I've seen in years! When audience in the villages’ and campsites which Circus Krone is visiting leave the tent, they will throughout the season say "it was much better than we had expected." And it's probably the best thing you can say about a performance, whether it is in the circus or in a theatre.

Irene Thierry. The costume is a gift from Thyra Miehe

In most cases the performers in the smaller circuses in Denmark are two artist families together with the owner family’s own members. However, this year Irene Thierry has booked no less than 4 artist families. It gives apart from Irene and her husband Jan "Alando" Allan 9 performers, as one of the artist pairs also have a small daughter with them in the performance. And the increase of the number of artists has not been at the expense of quality!

True to tradition, the clown Alando goes around and enjoys small talking to the audience before the show starts. Then he shall sweep the ring, but is hampered by a mischievous rabbit that constantly pushes the lid of the dustbin. After Irene Thierry’s welcome we met The Quick Donnerts with a quick-change act. The duo consists of Richard Donnert from the famous jockey rider family together with the foot juggler Eva Varadi. Their quick change number is quite new for them, but it is well performed. The pace of change of dress will undoubtedly be increased as the season progresses.

After the quick change Alando enters in the ring with his two mischievous ponies. Nice that Circus Krone in this way use the ponies in a comical entrée instead of presenting a liberty act.

Hey, it eats my apple!

Next, Nedyalko and Veselka presented a fine adagio number where Nedyalko is carrying Veselka in changing positions. Zealanders saw the couple’s adagio-entrée in 2013 in Circus Baldoni. This year time has come for person from Jutland and Funen to see the act.

Then Roland Ditmar entered the ring with a large flower and searched for a lady friend. First he tried his luck with ladies at the ringside chairs. But then he saw a lovely lady in a small house that was put up in front of artist entrance. Roland and Nemeth Dittmar’s entrée is excellent and extended since we last time saw the couple in Krone in 2004 and in Circus Arena in 2008. I will not reveal here the point in the entrée  - it has to be seen!

Roland and Nemeth Dittmar

After the Dittmar’s the Polish Duo Henryka entered the ring with glass and sword balancing. Fine and skillfully performed by the duo's male member, ending with the traditional balance over a ladder.

Then Roland Dittmar entered the ring once again with a broken leg and bandage around his head. One could understand that he had been in a fight with his wife! As Aladdin, he found a wishing lamp, which gave him three wishes. First, he wanted his head in order - and immediately the bandage fell off. Then he wanted the leg to be OK  - and immediately the plaster fell off. Finally, he wished his wife the same situation as when he entered the ring – see photo. A funny and fine entrée by a talented couple.

Roland and Nemeth Dittmar

The first act after the interval was an original act with Nedyalko who by means of a ring, sticks and a necklace built a large and impressive mobile which as planned fell apart when he removed the ring from a stick. I have never before seen a similar act.

Nedyalko with his large mobile

Eva Varadi now presented her fine and stylish antipode (foot-juggling) act. Great to see an antipodist who use hoops, balls and cylinders and not just scarves. The act ended with juggling with a cross of fire.

Next entre was a classic Circus Krone entrée: The beloved entrée with Alando and a dangerous animal. This year a panda with Andreas from Odense’s youth Circus Flik-Flak inside. As something new the panda ended the act on a unicycle - a discipline that Andreas was taught in Circus Flik-Flak.

The next act was a repeat from 2015: First Veselka and later her daughter Yana and Nedyalkos in a fine hula hoop entrée.

The performance's last act was Duo Henryka in perch. Irene Thierry has for years wanted such a number, and this year the agent Jörgen Börsch found a couple that lived up to her expectations. They presented first a number in ringperch. Since the male partner carried his wife on the top of the perch over a high step ladder. The duo’s final trick was when he on stilts supported a perch with her wife on the top. Great that Irene Thierry this year can impress her audience with such an act.

Duo Henryka

Circus Krone is a circus where also the artists like to be. This could be seen during the finale where Roland Dittmar sang a tribute song, which he and his wife had written to the small circus:

All the people wish to have a few real friends

if you can’t find I know the place I can help

you can hear it anywhere

Circus Krone that’s the name people love everywhere

if you need a place where all kind

if you look for love and good time

little Circus Krone always when you need a friend

that’s the only circus I know

where’s just love and goodness I saw

friends in the little Circus Krone we all love.

A little circus with lots of love, with big heart

If you been there once I know you won’t forget this time

when this family is near

something special what you feel

you don’t believe that is real

if you need a place where all kind

if you look for love and good time

little Circus Krone always when you need a friend

that’s the only circus I know

where’s just love and goodness I saw

friends in the little Circus Krone we all love.

Roland Nemeth pau tribute to Irene and Jan Allan. Click here to see more photos from the performance.

A big ‘thank you’ to Irene and Jan Allan and their nine artists and five other employees for  the finest and best Krone-performance I've seen for several years.

18 April 2016

This year’s Charlie to Jeanette Rosengren. The Swedish Circus Academy's honorary award The Charlie was this year given to the author and publisher Jeanette V Rosengren. The Circus Academy writes:

Jeanette V Rosengren, author and publisher, received in connection with World Circus Day in Växjö April 16 Circus Academy's prestigious award for the year Charlie from Academy Director Roy Himsel. The price was a work of art by the artist Irene Vaxjo Jarz. Jeanette and Kira Publisher Malmö have since 2007 published five interesting circus books. The titles Trolle Rhodins Wonderful Circus World, Toni Rhodins trilogy about the fictional circus family Mundi and the book about the popular Malmo Clown Miko has attracted the attention not only amongst circus friends. Congratulations!

Jeanette V Rosengren with her award

16 April 2016

World Circus Day was in Denmark celebrated at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, in cooperation between the museum, the Danish Circus Friends Association and Circus Baldoni. There were lots of visitors to the museum and to circus fun in Circus Baldoni’s ring.

About 25 people had made their way to John Lington’s entertaining lectures on artists he has known: the Chimp trainer Viggo Benny, the juggler and the collector Ølund Barly, the human cannonball Leoni, John's father Otto Lington etc. John also revealed that he assisted by Lazlo Simet has tried his own luck on high wire. Click here to see a clip.

As a thank you for the lecture John Lington got this fine clown poster, created by the painter Viggo Salting

Well over 100 guests enjoyed the ventriloquist Sine’s show in the Fencing Hall. Sine is not only a technically very skilled ventriloquist. She also has charm, humor and charisma.

Sine and her dolls naughty Maureen and Gilbert was a great success in the Fencing Hall

There was full house at the gala performance in Circus Baldoni at 14. Several had to go in vain and could not get a ticket. But those who got a ticket agreed that it was great performance.

Full house at the circus day's performance in Circus Baldoni

In Baldoni the world's strongest man was run over by a car. And the clown Danilo got one a punch on his nose in the classic boxing entrée.

10 April 2015

Circus Mascot 2016. Jorgen Lorenzen was one of the invited guests at the season’s first performance in Roslev on 30 March. He writes (my translation):

Once again you could this year feel the special Mascot atmosphere, caused mainly by the Deleuran family, but also very much by the clown Gulio.

Daniel Deleuran takes this year a break from the ring as acrobat. But he is ringmaster - short, clear and informative. But before he welcomes us to “the Danish family circus”, we meet Husik with a hula hoop act - classical, but with special trick: he rotates a ring in his nose, and he rotates a ring with a diameter of 3 meters around his body.

And then Daniel welcomes the audience. This year's performance is called: At the top. The clown Gulio interfere in Daniel’s welcome, but he has no ticket - but borrows one from a member of the audience who he then want to turn away because one can’t go to the circus without a ticket! A classic gag but always amusing. Gulio now get access to the ring, where he receives a packet that is leaking. He thinks it was a tasty soft drink, but the box contains a leaky dog. Classic, but funny when it's done with charm and talent. And this Gulio has.

Then we meet Marianne Deleuran with her dog show - 10 dogs, 3 races. Classical, recognizable but varied. The dogs can do everything: stand, walk, jump, skip, tease, rain, dance, lie, skip rope and roll a ball. You do not get tired of looking at them. Imagine if your own dog could do just a fraction of it!

Marianne Deleuran and her playful dogs

Now Gulio enters the ring, disguised as a woman with some overdeveloped breasts that even Line Kessler (a Danish reality TV star with very large silicone breasts) cannot be beat. It's always funny to see men in women's clothes. Especially when they are trying to dance ballet and charm the male audience.

The Hungarian Mr. Nereus presents a handstand act. Handstand acts are seldom comical. But here's humor part of the act as Nereus conjures up a doll - and dress up the doll. The doll serves as the "under man" and helps him to finish the act. He ends up stacking bricks under himself. It has been seen before but here is done with combined artistic skills, humor and inventiveness.

It is now time for Gulio again. This time with golf balls, which are thrown into a paper bag. Set before - but presented with charm, it is indeed a good transition to the next act in the performance which is Julia and Jumbo. Julia is the daughter of Gulio. Jumbo is an inflatable elephant.

It is some time since we last time saw a glass balance act. But we see such act during the Mascot performance. The artist is called Miss Vitzo. She balances glass on a dagger, which she keeps in the mouth, while the glass slipping back and forth. Two glasses stacked on top of each other and in the end 3 glasses. Also a ball is used as balance object. The final trick is when she balances a balloon on which is placed a glass. The balloon pops - and the glass is caught on the dagger, where it remains.

Gulio have a short run-in before Tatyana Primachenko enters the ring with a stylish rope act. Such acts are often seen - but mostly as either a vertical rope act or a tissue act. It requires both personality and artistic ability and this has Tatyana.

Tatyana

Then comes Alfred and Luna - two small pigs, certainly not usual Danish pigs but it's amusing. They say that pigs are smart, but it's not easy to get them to jump / climb through a ring, turning a wheel, hoist a flag and play football. It requires some patience, but it's fun to look at: can they do it? And how? Then come the rest of the Mascots "exotens": two goats that climbs, crawl, seesaws and balance. The latter particular may very well lie in the animals' genes.

And then follows the old number: The man in the lamp post, a comic act in swaying mast. Many remember The Great Fattini, and some remember him from the movie Funny Bones, where you have attached camera on Fattini, so the viewer is experiencing the act as it looks when you see it from the artist's position. Here is the Hungarian Lui, who must pretend that he is drunk. But it ends as it should: the mast sway dangerously, Lui is falling down but saves himself in his drunkenness into / on the light, as he finally gets on. A deviation from Fattini is that lamppost is overturned, giving Lui opportunity to show that he is a knock about acrobat.

Lui Nereusz

The show ends with Gulio, forming his own small orchestra, composed of the available musicians, and this constitutes of cause members of the audience.

Then there's finale and curtain calls. And yes, Mascot lives up to this year's slogan: At the top. No doubt that it will be a success and create joy and happies for everyone who visits the small circus and enjoy the authentic Mascot atmosphere.

10 April 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS   -- always something new and thrilling, we have visitors from ARGENTINA and URUGUAY, viz.  CIRCO CRIOLLO, a circus under the direction and with ideas by MARIANGELES KALAMAR, who superbly performs hula hoop, dance and contortion - everything first class and displaying great elegance.

Photos by courtesy of Mariangeles Kalamar

The other artists:

ALONDO V. FLORES, comedian

JOSE VIVALLO URRA, clown

JEANNE EDEN, straps and hoops

ALEJANDRO HERANDEZ, tango and bolas.

Thus, acrobatic stunts are performed as well as many hilarious situations , the stage setting refers to South American environment and culture, a colorful display of skill, dance, music and bolas / balls attached to ropes which are used like a lasso/ by the gauchos out on the pampas / cowboys out on the prairies.

This circus-show is artistic, enchanting, beautiful and interesting -   thus well WORTH SEEING!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more:  www.assocircocriollo.com/

.................................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

8 April 2016

World Circus Day. Held on the third Saturday each April, World Circus Day is a special day to celebrate Circus Arts and Culture. The Seventh World Circus Day will be held on Saturday 16 April 2016 with the theme: "Collaboration & Cooperation for the Future of Circus".  In 2016 the World Circus Day will be celebrated in more than 30 countries all over the world. In the Scandinavian countries celebration will take place in Denmark and Sweden.

In Denmark it is for the 7th year in row the Danish Circus Fans Association which in cooperation with the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, and Circus Baldoni will celebrate the day.

The Museum is open from 10 to 15. This special day entrance is free.

From 11 to 12:30 children can have circus fun in Circus Baldoni’s tent which is put up at the square behind the museum. Professional artist will assist the children.

Once again Circus Baldoni will put up their tent at the square behind the Circus Museum. From 11 to 12:30 the kids can have circus fun in the tent. At 14 there is gala performance with reduced ticket prices.

For the adults there is a talk show at 11:30 with the chairman of the Danish Circus Fans Association John Lington. He will tell about some of his relatives who were circus performers: His uncle Karl was bandmaster in Cirkus Miehe. Another uncle Franz was acrobat. Also his aunt Ellen was acrobat and performed for many years together with Edel Brasso as Lington Sisters. She was married first to the chimpanzee trainer Viggo Benny and later to the juggler and collector of circus items Ølund Barly. John will of cause also tell about his father the in Denmark very popular bandmaster Otto Lington.

John Lington will e.g. tell about Ølund Barly

At 13 the ventriloquist Sine and her dolls Naughty Rikke and Gilbert the Bird can be seen in ”Fægtesalen”.

Sine and her dolls

At 14 there is gala performance in Cirkus Baldoni with special favourable ticket prices.

Apart for the circus performance everything it fee this day!

In Sweden the day is celebrated in Växjö and in Karlstad. In Växjö by the Swedish Circus Academy in cooperation with Circus Olympia and in Karlstad by Circus Brazil Jack.

In Växjö there is parade with Olympia’s circus artists, animals and band on Friday 15 April at 15.

On 16 April there is open house in Circus Olympia at 10. At 11:15 Toni Rhodin will tell about the legendary Swedish artist and circus owner Brazil Jack and the Rhodin family. At 12:45 the chairman of the culture committee in Växjö Eva Johansson will open an exhibition at the Vaxjö library with old circus posters and photos shot by Linda and Roy Himsel. At the open air stage Speakers Corner at Storgatan there is from 13:15 to 13:45 performance by artists from Circus Olympia: Henrika Bengtsson with her dogs and David Hammarberg who will juggle. At 14 there is church service in the circus tent with the retired bishop Jan-Olof Johansson. At 17 there is gala performance in Cirkus Olympia.

World Circus Day is also celebrated in Karlstad Saturday 16 April. All the artists from Brazil Jack make a parade. From 12 to 13 open doors in Cirkus Brazil Jack with Rosi Hochegger training animals. All children have the possibility to try different circus disciplines and together with Circus Brazil Jack’s artists do a little show. There will be a lottery where children can win tickets for the show. At 16 there is gala performance in Cirkus Brazil Jack.

8 April 2015

The tiny Danish Cirkus Krone will open the season in Salten on 19 April with dress rehearsal on 17 April.

In the performance you will meet the acrobats Veselka og Nedyalko from Bulgaria. They were also with Krone last season but have new entrées this year. In 2013 they toured Zealand with Circus Baldoni.

Vesalka and Nedyalko in Cirkus Baldoni 2013

From Hungary come Mr & Mrs Dittmar. Roland and Nemeth Dittmar were also with Circus Krone in 2004. In 2008 they toured Denmark with the Scandinavia’s largest circus Circus Arena. The have also been with Circus Flic Flac in Germany.

Furthermore you will meet the foot juggler Eva Varadi from Hungary. She was also with Circus Krone in 2002, 2003 and 2007.

The foot juggler Eva Varadi in Cirkus Krone in 2007.

Apart from her juggling entrée she will together with her partner Richard Donnert present The Quick Donnerts quick changes act.

Furthermore you will meet the perch acrobats Duo Henryka from Poland. The have an additional act with knives and swords.

Last, but not least you will meet the clown Alando and his naughty ponies. Alando's spouse the circus owner Irene Thierry will be ringmistress.

2 April 2016

Circus Trapeze. As mentioned on this website on 28 March Isabella Enoch Sosman and her cohabiter Bernhard Kaselowsky will this year tour with Isabella’s own Circus Trapeze. Season opening will be on 17 May. Isabella Enoch Sosman has told Rud Kofoed from Ajour Press that she will feature classic clowns, a hula hoop artist, magic acts and other entertaining artist but that it will be Bernhard’s many animals which will be the main acts in the performance. It is likely that Isabella’s youngest son the juggler David Enoch Sosman will be amongst the performers.

David Sosman with his bouncing balls. Photo from Circus Trapeze 2014

4 April 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- even in the actual context where people are trying to resume their daily activities and to heal the wounds after the gruesome terror attacks that occurred fairly recently.

THEATRE DES BELIERS proudly presents a theatrical stage play by and with magic entertainer SEBASTIEN MOSSIERE, well known from earlier three stage plays,   geared basically towards kids and their parents, as well as a three-men-show, created for all kinds of public, viz. children and their parents.

This show, featured at THEATRE DES BELIERS, offers a nice and suitable setting for the play, sporting an excellent lighting and PA-system, as well as comfortable seats - very important to attract   and satisfy the audience. THEATRE DES BELIERS is indeed a real theatre, where a show is favorably performed in the very best of conditions,  it is a great prestige that a magic show is featured at a real theatre offering a running plot - that even the youngest children can follow.

The plot consists of magic effects, hilarious gags and lots of jokes, furthermore much interaction with the small fry who are very enthusiastic participating.

The build-up is based on a theatrical concept of funny ideas - creating much laughter.

The show runs for 70 minutes , backed up by an interesting stage-setting, in fact the entire  play seems to dwindle away far too quickly,  ---  interaction and clever acting being the main  reason.

Sebastien Mossiere. Photo by courtesy of the artist

The audience reacted loudly and applauded willingly, thus a success that SEBASTIEN MOSSIERE deserves indeed!

Venue: Theatre des Beliers, 14 bis rue  SAINTE ISAURE, 75018 Paris.  Metro: Jules Joffrin.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more:  http://sebastien-mossiere.com/WordPress/?page_id=153  - You will find lots of info...

...................................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

31 March 2016

Obituary. The Danish clown Peppo, who’s Christian name was Tommy Yt Hansen, passed away on 31 March, 72 years old. Tommy came from the Zealand town Korsor and had his circus debut in Regnar Thierry's Circus Krone. Later he worked a season for Circus Benneweis. In 1983 he toured together with his partner Willie (his Italian-born wife) with Circus Dannebrog. Since the couple worked in many other shows, including in the large German Circus Barum. One of their popular entrées was the one with the cheerful painters. Their entrées ended with Peppo and Willie playing music.

Later Peppo and his wife divorced and he married again. The last years of his life he lived in Korsor, the town in which he was born.

Funeral service takes place from the chapel at Korsor cemetery on Saturday 9 April at 12.30.

Peppo and Willie. Photo from Circus Dannebrog’s 1983 program

30 March 2016

Circus Dannebrog 2016 – the bumblebee is flying. One of the most cited scientific claims is that of the bumblebee which can’t fly, but do not know that it can’t fly and due to this fly all the time. Maybe Dannebrog has it the same way. Recently the media repeatedly told that there the old family circus had stopped forever. But against all odds, they once again managed to get on the road and even with a great performance.

The season opened in Odense on Easter Saturday, 26 March. Less than two weeks after Circus Dannebrog was declared bankrupt and only a week after the 4 Enoch-siblings Dennie, Agnete Louise, Isabella and Katja Enoch managed to buy the necessary equipment from the bankruptcy estate. Impressive! It has only been possible by incredibly hard work and the help from good friends, especially Dennie Enoch's son Jimmy and some of his friends from Flying Superkids.

So the bumblebee flew and proved that it in reality was a beautiful swan.

Circus Dannebrog at the lot in Odense. Photo: Ole Simonsen

At the premiere and at the next few day’s performances in Odense, there were of course some small things that need to be changed. And undoubtedly will be in a very short time.

The artists were engaged several months ago, where Circus Dannebrog still hoped to steer clear of bankruptcy.

Despite late marketing and inability to buy tickets online the three performances, circus Dannebrog had in Odense Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday was fairly good visited. And the audience was very satisfied with the performance. When I saw the performance on Easter Monday the audience rewarded the performers with standing ovations. Standing ovations are not as usual in Denmark as in many other countries.

Circus Dannebrog has this year a new band: 6 well playing Polish musicians who as far as I know previously worked for the Swedish Circus Skratt. This maintains the tradition for Circus Dannebrog to have the largest circus band in Denmark as their colleagues at Circus Arena only has 4 musicians at the bandstand. All other Danish circuses use prerecorded music, sometime assisted by a single drummer.

After the director and ringmaster Agnete Louise Enoch had welcomed the audience the bike acrobats Duo Centner entered the ring, where they worked on their own custom-built podium with inlaid lights and smoke effects. First the male partner jumped up a staircase on mono bike. Then he drove slalom between cones of light. Then he seated on a tall unicycle climbed through rings. The act ended with a pole being set up in the middle of the podium. The male partner got a bar from the pole over his shoulder and the female partner performed now acrobatics hanging in the bar - see photo.

Duo Centner. Photo: Ole Simonsen

While the podium was removed, the clown Charly Carletto had one reprise, where he with a Mexican hat on his head invited two members from the audience in the ring and got them to dance limbo. The final effect was a variant of the well-known gag with a skipping rope being removed when one of the guests blindfolded is jumping rope. Here, however, it was limbo he should do.

Next came three girls from the Brazilian troupe Flying Regio in the ring together with Armando Arano. The latter showed a fine act in pole. Then the three girls - Sandro Sisters - continued with a spectacular aerial act. See photo.

Sandro Sisters. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Then Charly Carletto presented his version of the well-known boxing match entrée. He was assisted by 6 persons from audiences, one of whom – the boxing partner - probably as almost always in such entrées was a circus groom dressed as a member of the audience.

Then Robert Berousek came in ring with a traditional but well performed act ladder act. The Danes have previous seen him in Circus Arena, where he just as in Dannebrog also served as a kind assisting performance director.

Youth, charm and elegance! This has the 17-year-old Amadeo Folco Jr, who presented the Folco family’s 5 well-looking camels in an act which also featured changes in tempo.

Amando Folco Jr. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Then time had come for The Centners second act: They entered the ring on a 4-wheel motorbike. The male partner jumped of the motorbike and juggled with 5 rings. Then he jumped up on a platform at the back of the motorbike and juggled with up to 7 balls while the female partner drove the motorbike. Then he juggled with clubs, first on the motor cycle and then in the ring. The number ended with him in the darkened circus juggling with three burning torches, standing on the platform at the illuminated motorcycle. Then announced first Charly Carletto and since Agnete Louise Enoch that is was time for a 20-minute break.

The Centners. Photo: Ole Simonsen

During the break a safety net was put up for Flying Regio's main act: 7 people in trapeze: 5 flyers and two catchers allowing jumps in two parallel paths. Impressive. The troupe mastered the classic tricks, finishing with a triple somersault and double crossing, even performed synchronously. The number ended with the classic death leap were one of the flyers hang in the toes on a trapeze right up under the big top and then let himself fall into the net.

Flying Regio. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

While the net was pulled down Charly Carletto did the well-known "don’t play here” entrée with a transistor radio that was hurled into a garbage can in the middle of the ring. And could play each whenever the lid was lifted

Charly Carletto sitting on the garbage can. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Now it was once again time for animals in the ring: 2 camels and 2 horses in a fine and a new routine presented by Amadeo Folco Jr. I do not think there was anyone in the audience who missed the traditional act with 4 or 6 liberty horses, which many visitors today finds borrowing unless it is presented by an outstanding trainer as last year's Gabi Donnert.

Next came Charly Carletto in the ring once again, this time with his version of David Laribles’ famous conductor entrée with six persons from the audiences as musicians.

Charly Carletto with his musicians. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The next act was after perhaps the performance's top act: the Cuban head and handstand acrobat Armando Arano in a great number, where he e.g. jumps on his head along a plank! See photo.

Headspring. A very rare and difficult trick. But Armando Arano mastered it. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Later he did hand leap up a staircase. His act ended with the legendary Encho’s famous trick where he pushes bricks away and land on the handstand sticks. Where Encho used 8 x 2 flat bricks Amando use 4 x 2 cube-shaped bricks.

Armando's final trick. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press. Click here to see YouTube clip of the trick, recorded with iPhone.

The Cuban artist was followed by Robert Berousek with a fast-paced act where he juggled with tennis rackets.

After a very short run-in with Charly Carletto, who played the trumpet, Adriana Folco Althoff entered the ring with two beautiful Indian elephants. And two elephants certainly fills more in a circus ring than the single elephant act which Dannebrog has presented the last number of years. Adriana is half Italian, half German, and chooses as you often see in Italian acts to make up her elephants with glitter. Harmless for the elephants and quite spectacular, although not everyone likes it. The well-cared-for elephants did the tricks which we today can expect from an elephant act, and got a "sawdust bath" in the ring. It looked as if they enjoy it!

Indian elephants, presented by Adriana Folco. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Impressive that Enoch family so soon after what looked as a total collapse is on the road again with a strong performance. Let’s hope that the Danish audience in the coming season rewards Circus Dannebrog and their colleagues with good visits ensuring the economic basis for live circuses that touring all over Denmark. When you look at the quality of the performance there is no reason to speak about circus crises.

From the grand finale. Photo: Lise Kokholm

29 March 2016

Circus is culture - and is now finally back under the Ministry of Culture as minister responsible. A happy chairman Martin Arli of the Association of Danish Circus owners tells that the outcome of the industry's most recent meeting with the Minister for Culture has been that the field of responsibility for circus now been transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Culture. However, without options for support with public funds.

Years ago the Minister of Culture was the responsible ministry for the Danish circuses. But for some reason the field of responsibility was sometime in the 1990s transferred to the Ministry of Justice. It has since annoyed the Danish circuses. Both the industry and Danish Circus Friends has on several occasions approached diverse culture ministers on the issue. And now they have finally managed to get the circuses back under the ministry, where they belong.

29 March 2016

Circus in Sweden 2016. In addition to the large or medium-sized Swedish circuses Brazil Jack, Maximum, Olympia and Victoria's there is this season at least 2 other circuses on tour in Sweden:

Diana Rhodin is as previous years touring with her small Circus Rhodin in a tent, which she some years ago bought from the Danish circus Arli.

The Manuella Scholl family is touring with Circus Festival (formerly Circus Madigan), where the performers this year are 6 family members as well as an English artist and the Romanian clowns Rumba and Tina. The season started at Easter on the marketplace in Sjöbo.

Circus Festival tent and poster. The text in German on the poster shows that the Scholl family’s circus has German roots.

28 March 2016

Animals in the Circus Trapeze with Ramboline summer tour 2016. Isabella Enoch Sosman, who is co-owner of the company owning Circus Dannebrog also plans to send her own circus on tour in 2016. On her Facebook page, she writes (my translation):

"Experience an enchanting circus show, entertainment, training and activities throughout the day, cafeteria open all day in the awning traveling zoo with 40 animals, including, horses, camels, cows, goats and the world-famous wonder elephant Ramboline - almost all the animals from the DVD 'animals in the circus'. In addition, children have the opportunity to become a circus star for a night. Updating the tour plan and show coming soon! "

The core performers in the Circus Trapeze seems to be Isabella Enoch Sosman’s cohabiter Bernhard Kaselowsky and his animals, which in the audience in recent years have been able to see in Circus Dannebrog. Including the African elephant Ramboline. The elephant is probably more “world famous” in in Denmark than abroad...

Circus Trapeze has a 4 pool tent that formerly belonged to Circus Baldoni and then for some years to the Circus Museum in Hvidovre. The tent was used when the Circus Trapeze in 2014 had performances in Madsby Legepark in Fredericia. Unless Circus Trapeze has had their tent certified, they must seek planning permission every time they want to put up their tent at a new lot. The tents used by Circus Arena, Arli, Baldoni, Dannebrog, Mascot, Krone and Nemo are all certified and can be put up without a planning permit.

The Trapeze tent in Madsby Legepark

28 March 2016

Swedish Circus Maximum 2016. Lennart Strandner visited the show in Gothenburg and writes (my translation):

Across the street from the legendary Slottsskogsvallen in Gothenburg Circus Maximum had performances during two Easter days. This year's program is called "Amazing Circus" - and sure enough they presented an amazing performance, just as we are used to when we visit Circus Maximum.

Francesco (4 entrées) is the stage name of Francis BRUNAUD from France, a very sympathetic and comprehensive world class clown who knows how to entertain audiences of all ages. His wife Nadine assisted him.

Francesco. Photo: Roy Himsel

Max Weldy' comic entrée with trampoline we have seen before in different contexts, now he does in in a somewhat calmer tone. Oh well ...

In a charming horse act where they rode high school with a dog-cart (trolley) and two greyhounds were saw Ruslan and Elena. The pair has won numerous international circus prices. Well deserved.

Elena Urunov. Photo: Roy Himsel

The Urunov family comes from Moscow. The 20-year-old daughter Laura has her own act with large and small dogs. A nice act which the audience liked.

Elena and Ruslan came back with a second act - Quick Change, i.e. split-second costume changes. Skillfully performed, but how do they do it?

Duo Urunov. Photo: Roy Himsel

Laura also had a second act - we got to see her as a professional juggler standing on horseback. The props were balls, clubs and rings.

Maximum’s six Friesian horses were presented by Anton Frank in an elegant potpourri. Later we met father and daughter, Anton and Ebba Frank, in an "animals of the farm” act. A novelty that all children liked.

Anton Frank’s animals of the farm act. Photo: Roy Himsel

Ebba and Ramon presented Maximum’s exoten: "Ship of the desert ', a camel and three dromedaries in light dressage.

Two acrobatic numbers are on the program. First Rodriguez Brothers from El Salvador, with a Risley act. Since the skilled duo Dove & Genni from Cuba with balance and acrobatics, e.g. head to head on a vertical ladder.

Dove & Genni. Photo: Roy Himsel

Maximum’s 2016 performance ends with the so-called "wheel of death" in the ring. It is used by Duo Vanegas who perform the most breathtaking tricks - including forwards somersault and skipping rope - outside of the rotating wheel. We also met Alejandro and Ricardo Vanegas in 2013. Thrilling!

Alejandro Vanegas. Photo: Roy Himsel

Circus Director Bengt Källquist presented with weight the aplomb artists in his 34th production - and sang very well in the final. Maximums 9-piece orchestra played admirably Two hours of enjoyable entertainment for the entire family in a well-run circus company, which also focuses on important details - the color, shape, light, sound and directing. Neat!

27 March 2016

Circus Jesper - new circus in Norway. Roy Bjerke, former circus Merano and now the head of entertainment in Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, is behind the idea for a new circus performance under the name Circus Jesper. The performance relates to Thorbjørn Egner’s book When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town. One robber (Jesper) ends up being the town's circus manager. It is a tent formed used by Danish Zirkus Nemo which will be used, and there are evening performances in the amusement park 19:00 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 26 June to 5 August. The performers are the clowns Bonbon and Tiina and their children Julia and Joakim on unicycles, tightrope walking, etc., Konstantin Mouraviev with his comical German wheel act and the springboard acrobats Trio Csaszar in interaction with actors from Cardamom city.

Danes know Konstantin Mouraviev’s entrée as the fat man who want to be slim by using a Rhönrad from Tivoli Revue 2004, Circus Arena 2010 and Zirkus Nemo 2012. He has also appeared for Benny Schumann at the Copenhagen amusement part Bakken and toured Germany with Circus Roncalli.

Konstantin Mouraviev at the open air stage at Bakken in 2012

26 March 2016

Young artists in Circus Arli – Circus Arli 2016. The Arli family has this year decided to put together a show with artists who are all in their 20s and with 29-year-old Alexander Arli as president by seniority. Only director Martin Arli and his wife, the elegant ringmistress Bettina, are older. And except for in the welcome and the finale Martin is (almost) only on stage in the clown entrée. Almost, because in a sketch with Bettina his is inside the teddy bear Micha. Martin's traditional entrée with magic has been skipped this year. "There must be room for the young," said Martin.

However, not everything is new: the small circus' equipment is as always very well maintained. Costumes are elegant. The same applies to the staging. And the pre-recorded music fits perfectly with the acts and lighting and sound are good.

Although some might miss Martins "social magic", the result is as usual at Arli a delightful performance that both adults and children will enjoy. Performers are the family members along with 4 engaged artists: Francesco Fratellini and his girlfriend Sarah and Michelle and Seraina who have learned to know each other at the artist school in Berlin. In addition, the staff consists of 3 servants / tent workers. And last but not least, Lotte Arli, who as usual is in charge of the ticket wagon.

The season opened in glorious sunshine on Easter Saturday at Circus lot in Fløng.

Martin Arli welcomes the audience

The show began with the artists dressed as construction workers arriving on the scene and raising a small circus tent. After Martin Arli’s welcome Miss Sarah did an elegant hula hoop acts where the rings also were used for other thing than a spin on the stomach.

Miss Sarah

She was followed by a short entrée with Francesco Fratellini. He is the eighth generation of the famous circus dynasty. He has worked for several years in the big French Cirque Alexis Gruss, and director Gipsy Gruss is his godmother. At Alexis Gruss he has got an all-round artist training due to which he with the talent and skill can present many different acts. In his clown run-in was first included a sketch with a camera and then with a remote control, which could turn on and turn off the lights.

Next Seraina entered the stage with an entrée where she began in trapeze and ended up in a Roman (also called German) wheel. Impressive, what she could do on the small stage in a discipline which you usually only can see in full-size rings.

Seraina

Then came a nice little sketch with Bettina and the mischievous teddy bear Micha. Micha was able to remove an apple, located under a bucket, without the need to remove the bucket. Visit Circus Arli and see how!

Micha and the elegant ringmistress Bettina Arli

When the bear was gone, Bettina proudly presented her and Martin’s son Alexander, who this year did a modern and fast-paced handstand entrée which also included chairs balance. There is probably something which Alexander can’t master. However, yet I have not discovered what it is he can’t do as he until now every year has presented something new and good. But he has also 27 years of circus experience! There are not many other 29-years-old, who can boast of this

Alexander Arli

The last number before the interval was an elegant and stylish number in trapeze with Michelle and Seraina. Partly as a couple, partly performed synchronously. Beautiful and elegant!

Michelle and Seraina

After the break Michelle came back with a charming number with a dog - probably a small collie. Then came Sarah in the ring, this time with fine contortion. She was followed to the performance's third female artist Seraina in tissue.

Miss Sarah

"Do you want to see clowns?" Bettina asked. The answer was of course yes, and now Martino and Alejandro entered the ring. Alejandro is the stage name used by Alexander when he as his grandfather Soren Arli is whitefaced clown. And just as Soren he is excellent. One can see also that he has learned much from his winter jobs in the theater / cabaret world. First the trombone playing Martino teases Alejandro. Then Martino is hypnotized and covered under a blanket and get first a knitting needle and then a roast fork in the head. When Alexander then will try with a garden fork, Martino comes however, out with a head of cabbage on top of his own head. Seen before, but served with great charm and elegance. As usual the two clowns ended their entrée with their musical finale.

Alejandro and Martino. In the background the elegant ringmistress Bettina Arli

The performance's last act was a reunion with Francesco Fratellini in an entrée, where he first juggled while he ran on a unicycle. Then he put a dish in spin, juggled with cups and with up to 7 balls. The act ended with him on a tall unicycle with foot throwing plates, cups and finally a spoon up on his head. Great!

Francesco Fratellini

At the finale the audience spontaneously gave the performers standing ovations.

Martin, Lotte, Bettina and Alexander Arli in the grand finale

It was super good! This everyone in the audience agreed as they left the tent after the premiere on Easter Saturday on Circus Arli's 2016 performance.

Irene Thierry from Denmark's smallest circus, Circus Krone, and Benny Berdino from Scandinavia's largest circus, Circus Arena, were among the invited guests at Circus Arli's premiere and the subsequent gathering. Irene and Benny have known each other since childhood, as both the Circus Krone and Circus Arena have their roots in the world of fairs and markets.

Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitissteins slideshow from the performance.

26 March 2016

Circus Olympia 2016. Martin Lasson Berglund visited season opening in the Swedish circus Olympia and writes (my translation):

"Just like the previous seasons Circus Olympia opened the season in Oskarström outside Halmstad. This year the circus has bought a new tent which was sparkling in the sunshine at the circus lot.

Circus Olympia's new tent

The program is varied and nice as a circus program should be!

In Olympia's press release can be read: “Since 1870 clowns from the Salvini family have entertained audiences worldwide. Paulina and Gino Salvini, resident in France but with roots in Italy, represents the 5th generation. They have created a very personal repertoire based on classic clown entrées, but with a modern and original style.

Pauline and Gino Salvini. Photo Linda Himsel, by courtesy of Circus Olympia

The Jackson family from Portugal and Spain presents a fast-paced acrobatic bike act with four people on the same bike. Franco Olivera from Argentina present a unique and hysterical parody of the macho culture, personified even tough Hispanic herders, a "macho gaucho" who are trying to impress with his "bolas," a South American version of the lasso. The show features three different aerial acts, Maria Fina Michaelo from Spain allow herself to be hoisted up by the hair and does acrobatics and juggling high above the ring, Ludmila Jackson does an act in aerial straps and the Swede David Hammarberg (only with Olympia until the middle of the season when he leaves for an engagement with Wallmans) does an act in silks in an intermezzo together with the high school rider Jessica Bengtsson".

From this year's performance, I note that Henrika Bengtsson in the dog act is assisted by the young Simon and his mother Natascha, which is fun to see. Simon runs a small bus filled with dogs and during the act he helps to keep track of all the dogs.

Simon with his mother Natascha and his grandmother Henrika. And of cause all the dogs. Photo Linda Himsel, by courtesy of Circus Olympia

Niklas Bengtsson presents a new number with Tinker Horses and ponies and this is a fine new feature in the the ring.

Niklas Bengtsson, Photo Linda Himsel, by courtesy of Circus Olympia

Jessica Bengtsson presents an exotic caravan of camels (two of which are white), Jersey cattle and llamas. This also feels like something new.

Faithful Valentin Smirnov and his band from Russia, Moldova and Ukraine continue to set the musical star class of the show.

When leaving the tent in Oskarström, you feel happy just the way you should feel when you have been to the circus!

24 March 2016

From the Budapest Circus Festival to Circus Mascot. When Danish Circus Mascot open the season on 30 March the audience can meet one of the stars from the special Hungarian performance at this year’s Circus Festival in Budapest. It is the comedian and hand stand acrobat Lui Nereusz who in Mascot will present his comedic entrée with a lamppost. Old circus friends will remember the Great Fattini and his act with a swaying mast disguised as a lamppost, which he would use to light his cigar. Luis swaying mast / lamppost is not quite as high as Fattinis, which could only be used in the large circuses.

Lui Nereusz in Budapest

In addition to the entrée with his lamppost Lui will do another comic handstand act together with a very special partner!

In his younger days Lui did a classic handstand act. I believe it was him you could could see in Danish Circus Arena in 1985 using the artist name Nereus.

In the Mascot-performance you can apart from Lui meet the clown Gulio and his family: the son Husik with hula hoop, the 10-year-old daughter Juliya with an elephant (not a “live” elephant), and Mrs Tetyana with an aerial number. The Deleuran family present their 11 playful dogs and the mini pigs Alfred and Luna in the company of the mountain goats Kurt and Erika and the snoring pony Rickie. The Shetland ponies Ranko, Rocky, Ricky and small My will be presented by Daniel Deleuran.

22 March 2016

New entrée with Danilo and Cindy. In my review dated 15 March of this year's performance in Circus Baldoni, I wrote that Danilo and Cindy was preparing a new entrée which should replace the restaurant / spaghetti-entrée which was used in 2015 and also was also used at this year's premiere Lyngby. Now the new entrée is ready.

It begins almost as the old entrée with Danilo taking a lovely lady to his cafe, where he as in the ole entrée is floundering when he should pour champagne. To give the lady - that's of course Cindy – some entertainment he bring in a ghetto blaster as a jukebox does not work. This give Danilo and Cindy opportunity to mime to a variety of evergreens, a bit like what Danilo last year made did in his entrée "tiny Danilo". The children enjoyed themselves and the adult audience enjoyed Danilo's and Cindy's version of a series of hits, Danish as well as English/American. Great that in this way was also something for adults.

Top: Danilo turns on the radio. Middle: Danilos versions of Kim Larsen’ Buy bananas and Paul Reichhardt’s Are you friend with the birds of heaven. Bottom: Danilo and Cindy's version of the old Dirch Passer / Gitte Haenning song about little Miss Sky. Click here to see more photos

22 March 2016

Lots of visitors at the Circus Museum. The first days of Easter week brought a lot of visitors to the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. A large part of the guests were grandparents with grandchildren. At the museum, the children were sent on job searching for answers to 7 questions. They got a diploma if they found the correct answers. The second floor of the museum was open for a creative Easter workshop where there were materials available to make a magician's hat, an Easter chicken and so on. In the Fencing Hall was there was Circus Fun with the assistance of a professional artist. The photo shows a lot of kids in the Fencing Hall. The girl in the rings is my 7-year-old granddaughter Ida.

21 March 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  in fact many shows, in spite of a clear downturn following the terror-attacks we had --  the back to normal will occur after some time, since there is a minimal risk to be at the wrong place at the wrong moment,  SECURITY is beefed up by police and military.

NOW - THEATRE LA BOUSSOLE proudly presents an excellent MAGIC SHOW, by and with magic entertainer TOM, real name THIERRY BATTEUX who accompanies the young audience and their parents by performing a firework of hilarious stunts:  appearance singing, wearing an elegant evening dress, he performs an elegant and amazing CABARET ACT, where doves and a rabbit appear, a 15 minutes' act that could be featured at the best cabarets!

The program is conducted at a brisk pace, but still in a way that even the small fry can follow:

SHADOWGRAPHY, i.e. shadows are projected against a lit frame /seldom seen today/, juggling using fluorescent clubs, and classical magic effects, like using a funnel to pump out a soft drink from a boy's arm, boy coming from the audience, - and THE MATHEMATICS   MYSTERY, where cubes, painted with different numbers - mysteriously change places.

The classic effects, well performed, have great success, even today!

Also: Excellent interaction and smooth treatment of the small children  who feel confident being with TOM on stage - a gorgeous grand finale performed in several sequences, it is obvious that TOM has studied singing, dancing, acrobatics and music -  all is present in his performance, otherwise such a nice stage appearance is not possible.

All in all:  joy of performing and dynamic presentation win the audience's sympathy, everyone was super-satisfied, and applauded willingly.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: www.magic-prod.com, a lot in French but you can change to English, by clicking.

VENUE:  Theatre La Boussole, 29 rue de Dunkerque, 75010 Paris. Metro:  GARE DU NORD.

-------------------------------  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

20 March 2016

Circus Dannebrog will also be on the roads in 2016. The last couple of weeks have been turbulent for the venerable old circus. Several media wrote that Circus Dannebrog was closed and never again would be on tour.

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated," Mark Twain often is quoted for having said occasioned by newspaper accounts of Twain’s being ill or dead. The same goes for Circus Dannebrog. The 4 Enoch-siblings Dennie, Agnete Louise, Isabella and Katja are both proud and pleased to announce that Circus Dannebrog will be on the road in season 2016. Just as they has been in the previous 39 seasons.

Here's a little background info about Circus Dannebrog and what recently has happened.

Circus Dannebrog was established in 1880 by Theodor Enoch and his wife Wilhelmine. When Theodor Enoch died in 1909 Wilhelmine became owner of the circus and continued the operation assisted by the couple's five children Peter, Louise, Georg, Johanne and Dorthea. When Wilhelmine died in 1922, the two sons took over the circus which the run until 1928.

But the family dream about owning a circus survived and in 1977 Theodor’s and Wilhelmine’s great grandson Haddy Enoch and his wife Solveig re-established circus Dannebrog using an old tent bought from circus Royal which gave up touring after the 1972-season. Haddy and Solveig had for a number of years travelled all over the world with a world class bike acrobat act 2 Haddies. As their children grew up (Dennie, born 1955, Agnete Louise, born 1956, Isabella, born in 1960 and Katja, born 1967) they joined the act which then was called 4 Haddies or The Haddies. Haddy and Solveig were assisted by the children when they re-established Circus Dannebrog. Since then Dennie, Agnete Louise and Katja have been with Dannebrog every season, while Isabella, who was a trapeze artist, for some seasons has had engagements elsewhere.

The first years for Haddy Enoch’s Circus Dannebrog were difficult, but gradually they became a well-run first class circus, who calls themselves Denmark's National Circus. Not an official title, which is granted by the queen, but a trademark, Haddy Enoch has registered.

Haddy Enoch photographed 10 April 2009 when he as the first circus owner ever was appointed honorary member of the Danish Circus Friends Association. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

From 1977 to 2009 Circus Dannebrog was run as a personal owned company with Haddy Enoch as a sole proprietor. After Haddy Enoch's death in 2009, the equipment and the operation were transferred to a private limited company, Circus Dannebrog Ltd, which was owned by Solveig Enoch. She retains undivided possession of the estate with her 4 children, all of whom were involved in the operation of Circus Dannebrog Ltd.

The first season after Haddy's death was quite good. But in recent years, Dannebrog as circuses everywhere in Western Europe has been hit by the crisis, which has meant declining number of visitors and increased costs, while regulatory requirements has become more and more "clumsy" and both time consuming and costly. They also were hurt by competition from Circus Summarum which got lots of free publicity in DR TV.

Circus Dannebrog Ltd. has as their colleagues from Circus Arena and Circus Benneweis had some loss-making seasons and their equity was lost. Although season 2015 was somewhat better than 2014 there was once again a deficit, and the Enoch family had to realise that it wasn’t possible to continue operating in the old company.

The four siblings agreed to do everything they could in order to save their circus and ensure that operation could continue.

In this situation, there are several things you can do.

One is to purchase the equipment from of the old company and continue in a new company. It was the solution Dennie, Agnete Louise and Katja Enoch preferred. Another option is a reconstruction. It was solution preferred by Isabella Enoch, who had taken advice from a law firm in the small city Vojens. The Vojens' lawyer had prepared a restructuring plan, but had not been talking with creditors in order to ensure that the plan was acceptable for the creditors. When the plan Monday, March 14 was presented at a meeting in the bankruptcy court in Kolding the largest creditor, the Danish Customs and Tax Administrations, rejected the plan and Circus Dannebrog Ltd. was declared bankrupt.

Following that there were some discussions between the four siblings. They are circus people, so tempers can sparkle, and some newspapers even wrote about a family feud. Certainly a bit overdramatized as the four siblings still agreed to do everything that was possible to save the Circus Dannebrog. They gave trustee in bankruptcy an offer for purchase of the tent and other circus equipment. There were also other offers, but the offer from the four siblings was the best and they have now purchased the equipment through a special purpose vehicle. In this way Circus Dannebrog’s future is secured and they will just as planned open the season in Odense in the Easter days. At Circus Dannebrog’s facebook page the family writes (my translation):

For the Enoch family the last week has been the toughest period in our 40 year-long period as circus owners. Since our creditors Danish Customs and Tax Administrations did not believe the planned reconstruction Circus Dannebrog was on Monday 14 March declared bankrupt by the court in Kolding. Fortunately, we have through tough negotiations and meetings found a solution which ensures that CIRCUS DANNEBROG WILL BE ON TOUR in 2016. The four siblings Dennie, Agnete, Isabella and Katja have jointly acquired all the assets and there is season opening in Odense on 26 March. Both in order to keep the Danish circus culture and to ensure jobs for our 60 employees it has been incredibly important for us to be on Danish roads again. We would like to thank for all the support we have received from our wonderful audience through this difficult time and hope we in the future can run a beautiful and economically sustainable circus.

We look forward to seeing you in one of the many lovely Danish cities which Circus Dannebrog will visit in 2016.

Circus Dannebrog at the lot at Christmas Moller’s Street in Odense where season opening will take place Easter Saturday. Photo from 2014

19 March 2016

Circus Dannebrog program 2016. Among the performers in this year's show will be:

Flying Regio from Brazil in flying trapeze. They've just participated in the German Circus Krone's February program in the circus building in Munich, which guarantees the quality, as Krone only engage top acts. They have 5 flyers and two catchers so that more flyer can be in the air at the same time. It is first time we see such an act in a Danish circus. Click here to see a video clip from their performance last year in Circus Nock in Switzerland.

For many years, Bernhard Kaselowsky has been in charge of the animal acts in Circus Dannebrog. This year they have booked animals from the German / Italian Folco family. Adriana Folco, who some years ago for a couple of seasons toured Denmark with Circus Benneweis, will present her two elephants. Her son Amadeo Folco Jr. has two acts: first six camels and then an act with horses, camels and dromedaries.

Duo Centner will do two acts. An act on mono bike and a juggling act. Since it this year is season no. 40 since the old bike acrobat Haddy Enoch re-established Circus Dannebrog, where The Haddies beautiful bike act for many seasons was a main attraction, it is great that the family for the anniversary season has ensured that there will be bikes in the ring.

In the couple’s juggling entrée they use a 4-wheel motorcycle. A platform at the back of the motorbike is in part of the number as a base for the male partner. Click here to see a video.

The 4 Sandro Sisters appear in aerial hoop, often with synchronous, coordinated movements.

Robert Berousek does ladder balancing and juggling with tennis rockets. He toured for a couple of seasons, most recently in 2010, with Circus Arena, where his older brother Mario this year are among the performers.

Armando Arano presents a beautiful handstand number. The final trick is inspired by the legendary Encho.

The only performer which also was with Dannebrog in 2015 is the lovable clown Charly Carletto. But this year, of course, with new reprices and run-ins.

Charly Carletto

18 March 2016

Brazil Jack in 2016 - simply the best! It was a great show with many stars which the Swedish circus queen Carmen Rhodin Thursday evening presented at the Mill Square in Malmö, where Brazil Jack as the first of the Swedish circus started their season.

"Circus as at grandfather's time." It has always been Brazil Jacks motto. And they stay to traditions using a somewhat old-fashioned tent with 4 poles, 12 quarter poles, 2 rows of ringside chairs, 3 rows of benches with backrests and 5 rows of benches without backrests. Just as at grandfather's time. The lighting is however modern, using LED floodlights, etc., and where Brazil Jack in their first seasons used taped music they now have a well-playing 6 piece band.

The performances are also classical performances. This year’s show is so good that it is difficult to believe that a classic circus performance can be made better. Some might miss liberty horses. But the act with the superstar Rosi Hochegger and her horse Scout is so great that no one in the audience missed six horses, which first ran slightly one way and then a bit the other way.

After a short intro, where José Michel and his partner Kike "helped" to sweep the carpet in the ring, Carmen Rhodin welcomed her audience.

Carmen Rhodin welcomed the audience

The first act was Quincy Azzario, one half of the famous Azzario Sisters. The other half are in the United States, where she has married the big cat trainer Alexander Lacey. With a garish red wig - or was it her own hair being dyed? - Quincy did a beautiful and fast-paced handstand / contortion act. Such acts can be a bit stolid, But not Quincy’s act - there is go in that girl!

Quincy Azzario

Quincy was followed by glorious Rosi Hochegger with her 9 happy dogs. Hard to imagine that a dog act can be better. And there is no doubt that Rosi and the dogs love each other. Rosi, you are simply the best!

Marvellous Rosi Hochegger with her dogs and her horse Scout. Rosi - you are simply the best!

Acts in in net ("fishing net") can just like the vast number of tissue (silk) acts be deadly boring. But Vita, the female partner from Duo Costache, did the best act in net which I have ever seen.

Quincy Azzario has brought parents with her her to the circus: the world class clown José Michel and his wife Gulia. Between the other acts the always enthusiastic José did some short run-ins. Among other things, the gag where he mines to the old hit "Save my love." Nobody does this entrée better than him!

The world's best musical clown José Michel, here with his version of "Save my love." José - you are simply the best

The next star in the ring was the tight wire dancer Nicol Nicols. He has undergone a tremendous development since I first time saw him in the Circus Dannebrog in 2007. At that time he was good. Now he is excellent. With charm, elegance and perfection he jumped through the Ring of Fire and did both a backwards somersault and finally the difficult forward somersault.

Nicol Nicols’ act on tight wire is probably the best you today can find anywhere in the circus world. Thus, Nicol - you are simply the best!

After a short reprice with José Michel Rosi was back in the ring, this time with the horse Scout. A great act which you can enjoy seeing again and again.

The last number before the break was the Michels-clowns version of the well-known four stools gag. At the end it was Scout which "tumbled" the 4 participants. It was perhaps an incident as there in the interval was horse riding on two of at Rosi Hochegger's horses. However, it was a good idea, so go on using it even if it on opening night might have been a mistake.

The first artist after the break was a guest star which only the Malmo audience will meet: the diabolo-juggler Michael Betrian who was with Danish Circus Dannebrog in 2014. He is a good friend of Quincy Azzario and is for the time being negotiating with a circus or an agent who wanted to see his act "live". Thus, Quincy persuaded Carmen Rhodin to include him in the performances in Malmö.

The next act which will be with Brazil Jack for the entire season was Jessyka Jasters with foot juggling. First with carpets and then with a "cross of fire". Nice to mix the two disciplines. Most other fottjugglers juggle either with blankets or with fixed objects.

Jessyka Jasters

Jessyka was followed by Duo Costache presenting a perch act. They were also with Brazil Jack in 2008, but since then there has been an incredible development. The number is both difficult and spectacular.  That they a few times used a safety longe doesn’t bothers me. There was no need for it, but who wants to see an artist getting hurt?

Perch numbers are quite seldom seen today. Duo Costache's number is both beautiful and spectacular. In addition, the female partner has the best act in "net" that I ever have seen.

Then it was time for the Michel-clowns main entrée. They are best known for the funnel routine. But they presented this routine in Circus Brazil Jack in 2014. So this year they had chosen another entrée where the two Augusts - especially Kike - got lots of whipped cream in his face. The act ended of course with their musical entrée. Something we missed last year when they were with Circus Arena in Denmark.

Michels-clowns - Kike still has plenty of whipped cream in his face

The performance's last number was Jessyka Jasters' parents, the Jasters, with their strong and safely performed act with knife throwing and crossbow shooting. The final trick were in the best William Tell style shooting an apple off of the female partners head in a single attempt. Striking that she dare! But her husband has a very sure hand.

As I wrote an excellent performance. When a few minor mistakes from the opening performance has been corrected it will clearly be “Simply the best” among this year's classic circus performances in Scandinavia.

18 March 2016

Long live the circus! Circus Arena 2016

I believe in circus! Long love the circus! Benny Berdino said at the close of the performance at Circus Arena’s opening night Wednesday evening. He was referring to the recent media stories of problems in the Danish circus industry.

The "old" theatre and circus reviewer Rud Kofoed has permitted me to bring his review of the performance, accompanied by some of my own photos / captions which already been published at my Danish “last new” page. But with a link to Rud’s own excellent photos. (My translation of Rud’s text – I have shortened the Danish version a bit)

CRAZY WITH ALL OF IT

Circus Arena 2016 - Gala Premiere, Bellahoj, Copenhagen – ticket prices 160-350 DKK.

 * * * * *

Welcome to this year's craziest family reunion. So said the old circus director Benny Berdino who will turn 70 in August. And then he claps his hands and gives room for a generational change for open curtains.

Now it's the grandson Patrick Berdino, 24, who has to show that he is grown-up and responsible for the presentation of the performance. This he does with all his youthful authority and his experience (from the latest Danish version of Strictly come Dancing”) – this becomes Strictly come Circus.

Patrick is a small, tough, but outgoing persistent and quite self-confident type. There is wild blood in his veins, but not wilder than there is room to respect for the old sawdust virtues, he now has to challenge.

This he does by as ringmaster - now show master - to live up to the modern unbearable lightness and assisted by his two newest best friends, Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl and James Sampson from 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

And then there are talented children, three trimmed girls aged 11, 12 and 13 from the Ukrainian handstand troupe Trio Creation that heaven know why becomes a major act. My general opposition to performing children suffered another crack and I resigned to the fact that there are exceptions. The girls are pounding proficient in their synchronistic life on hands and lives up to the presentation: 'They adorn the ring in a symbiosis of raw strength, balance and grace'. Like hell they do. They deserve fully their status as the audience’s favorites.

Trio Creation - 3 young girls aged 11, 12 and 13 years – did great synchronous handstand and was very well deserved among visitors' favorites

The contrast is the fire blazing five jumping and bouncing guys and at least one girl who place themselves on the edge of dehydration of the trampolines, making it possible to climb a 'high-rise' in every way. OK, it is jumps on the spot, but not just small jumps! It is a popular discipline in these days and Ukrainian Team Nonstop is certainly in the top class.

Trampoline Jump against wall is the name of this discipline. It is first time we see such an act in Denmark

They are not the only performers jumping up and down. The Romanian Cretu Troupe can also do it. But they use a springboard to repeal the gravity. It is a pleasure to see the troupe's dozen of 'cannonballs' be shot away and build up to five men height. Man can fly? Yes, sometimes.

The Cretu troupe should this year have done an act with Russian swing. But their great springboard number is so much better than their entrée with Russian swing that Arena chose to use the springboard act although it is the third year consecutive year the Cretu’s does this act in Circus Arena’s ring.

Another check Paulo Kaiser also ensures turmoil on the podium. He does allegedly this with 25 years of experience in rola bola art. We believe that, not only can he go in height but also in width when he jumps from one rola bola board to another. Cool!

Where others rola-bola-acrobats go in height Paulo Kaiser's speciality is jumpng from board to board. Impressive! This is his first season in Denmark.

A propos pace: The Czech Mario Berousek, 41 has won awards both in Monte-Carlo and Paris, where he is known as 'the world's fastest juggler' after several years on Pigalle in the Moulin Rouge show. He is so fast that the TV host Patrick Sebastien had to present him twice in his world-renowned circus program on France 2 to see what he was doing. He is so powerful that even the late rock star Joe Cocker had him on the concert stage in its heyday. In private life, he is so quick that he's got five children. The oldest, Sharon, who also juggles we met in Circus Arena in 2013.

Last act in the performance was Mario Berousek who juggles faster with his clubs than any other. The photos taken at 1 / 1,600 seconds, but would probably have looked more realistic (with clubs in motion) if I had used a slower rate.

On top of all that we met a diversity of animals. Well it's not new world sensations, we get to see, but the pleasure is just at the sight of 'lady in red' and 'black beauty', Laura Berdino and Arenas black Friesian stallions. That it happens to the singer James Sampsons crisp, rousing Lionel Richie hit 'All Night Long' only reinforces the experience.

Laura Berdino presented 6 beautiful Friesian horses from Circus Arena's own stables.

Patrick trimmed dromedaries and llamas and Rudi Althof with Arena’s own elephants Lara, Jenny and Jungle, which Benny Berdino originally bought in Spain. Circus elephants are living on the latest 'sell by date', for when the old circus elephants die or retire we will hardly see new ones. Thus, it is now we have to enjoy such acts.

Patrick Berdino was not just - assisted by James Sampson and Sara-Maria Frank Mærkedahl - an enthusiastic ringmaster, but also presented camels and lamas. On opening night one of the lamas was, however, in teasing mood.

For several years, you have had go to Arenas Circus Land near Slagelse to kiss a sea lion, but now you can - or rather, Dana & Jean can - do it in the ring, where the two beautiful, playful Patagonian sea lions Viktor and his younger brother Oskar does tricks to be awarded with nice herrings.

The Russian Ekaterina is a beautiful, fearless “bat” who in the night light glow embarks on the wildest air tours from a trapeze high above the circus sky. It is an advanced but impressive form for bungee jumping she does. The same alto goes for the laser man Samsyr Brasil, heralding new 'techno-democratic' times in the circus.

Even Arenas usual clown Jimmy Folco has become better and have one again turned its Italian seductive charm on.

When you after the performance consider those thing which could have been better you still have to be impressed by the fact that at all it is possible to present such an impressive spectacle.

To see Rud Kofoed excellent photos from the show, click here.

18 March 2016

Circus Mascot 2016. Circus Mascot writes (my translation)

Now we once again are ready with a brand new show for the whole family!

We have assembled a team of talented performers and put together 2 hours of nutty and warm family entertainment and sprinkled it with various animal tricks for both large and small. The circus season 2016 will be our season no 23. Thus, you can see have quite some experience. It also means that we proudly will call this year's circus production CIRCUS AT THE TOP!

It does not mean that in future we can’t find room for improvement - but we claims that this year's show will be more breath-taking than ever.

We are pleased to introduce you unique aerobatic, fast-paced hula hoop, large dog show, a trip on the restaurant with an unusual servant, cute ponies, comic handstand, the 2 round-headed pigs Alfred and Luna. Not to forget the crazy sleepy pony Ricky who loves to take a nap in the middle of it all. One who also look forward to be bag in the ring is the clown Gulio. He will as usual be completely out of control and it is not least because this year we have another jester on the team. Namely comedian Lui from Hungary who brings a completely incredible combination of acrobatics and comedy to the circus tent.

In short, we guarantee a few colorful hours with speed, excitement and lots of humor! (Read: Gulio :)).

Circus Mascot beloved clown Gulio. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

We look forward our to Denmark tour where we visit about 130 cities and in July stay with our good friends in the amusement park Summerland Zealand. Here the family can spend a whole day with the circus, fun and entertainment.

Circus Mascot opens the season in their hometown Roslev on 30 March. The Season ends on September 26

16 March 2016

Zirkus Nemo has opening night in Horsens April 20, 2016.

The comedian Soren Ostergaard's partner is again this year one of the most popular artists of Zirkus Nemo ever, the hilarious rubber man Captain Frodo. The other world class artists are the Risley acrobats Anastasini Brothers, the tango jugglers Emily and Menno van Dyke, the handstand duo Duo Solys and the ladder balance artist Steacy Giribaldi. Which of Soren's own comedy figures you this year will meet in the ring is only known by Soren himself.

Apart from Soren and Captain Frodo is probably the first time we see the other artists in a Danish circus. Click here for a video clip from Anastasini brothers' act. Menno van Dyke toured with Swedish Circus Maximum in 2003.

Soren Ostergaard and Captain Frodo. Photo: Jesper Voldgaard, by courtesy of Zirkus Nemo

15 March 2016

Circus Baldoni opening night was on 15 March at the circus lot in Copenhagen suburb Lyngby. With their 15th anniversary performance Circus Baldoni is better than ever.

"We do not claim that we are the largest circus in Denmark or Denmark's best circus. But we've Denmark's best audience," circus owner René Monster said when welcoming the audience. And at least on opening night he was right - there was great excitement in a packed tent where the audience was enthusiastic from start to end and during the grand finale rewarded the performers with standing ovations.

True to tradition, the performance was presented by René "Baldoni" Monster and his talking lion Leonardo. All photos: Ole Simonsen

It's almost a tradition that Baldoni’s own clown Danilo opens the performance by climbing up on the stage and doing something with the light. This year, by pulling a fictional chain to the light he turned on and off the light. Then came Baldoni welcome song, while all artists with flag came in the ring, which Baldoni is a circular stage.

First artist was Eduard Janacek, who previously has been part of some of Baldoni’s Christmas performances. He showed a stylish, fast-paced classic juggling entrée with clubs, hats and cigar boxes without a single error, if one disregards the rehearsed drop of cigar boxes just before he grabs all the boxes –of cause followed by another successful attempt.

Next act was chair balance with Michal Mudrak in up to 5 chairs height while his partner Daniella Vitova played the violin. Then Danillo had a fine conductor-entrée. Not a copy of David Laribles famous entrée, but an entrée where the “musicians” staid on their ring side chairs and played music using bubble wrap. New and original. However, Danillo and René revealed after the show that was an idea borrowed from the German Circus Roncalli. OK to be inspired by others' good ideas.

Szulita Szkrenyes then did a fine act in the net before time had come for this year's new attraction: the strongman Hercules aka Hungarian Joszef Pakuza. He hummed with heavy wagon wheel on a pole, pulling an expander out that no one else could handle, held an arm with a heavy iron ball across a chainsaw, grabbed a cannonball that was shot out of a cannon. He ended up being run over of Rene Monsters almost 2-ton heavy Volvo, which Danillo managed to manoeuvre up and down the stage. Impressive - both the strongman and Danillos driving skill - there are not many millimetres extra space.

To the left: Eduard Janacek is a versatile juggler. To the right: the strongman Hercules being run over by a nearly 2 ton Volvo

After the break Eduard Janacek was back with a classic and well-executed rola bola number.

The time has come to another clown entrée: Danillo, Cindy and René's fine version of the classic boxing entrée. Both children and adults laughed,

After a short, traditional hula hoop entrée with Maria Janacek time has come for at more untraditional act: Hands two Violin with Michal Mudrak and the violin-playing Daniella Vitova. An almost contemporary circus style story about a couple who oversleep and has to get up and get dressed. The act included handstand and pole balance. Nice! But perhaps Leonardo on his presentation should have told that the next artists had overslept. Then everyone would have caught the story.

The act Hands Violin told a next comtemporary circus style story

The act should have been followed by a new act with Danillo and Cindy. But they did not think it the new act yet was rehearsed enough to be presented in the ring. Instead the used the restaurant/ spaghetti-entree which last year was one of the children's favorites. However, the idea soon to use the new act.

The audience for the opening night saw the spaghetti entrée with Danillo's restaurant, which was also shown in 2015. However, it will very soon be replaced by a new entrée with Danillo and Cindy.

Last act in the performance was Pirates of the circus, Dennis Kiss and Szulita Szkrenyes great act in vertical rope with some aerial cradle elements could also be seen in in Baldoni in 2012. Since then the number has become much better.

The show ended with a beautiful cheerleader finale.

Is Baldoni the best circus in 2016? If you look upon the artist the answer is no, even though all acts are good but without world stars. But they never promise something they can’t keep and the proximity to the audience that you can’t get in a large tent and the atmosphere they manage to create compensate for larger circuses string of world stars with prices ranging from the grandest festivals. I am sure that my grandchildren in 2016 will enjoy 2 hours together Baldoni and their artists.

To the left: Pirates of the circus. To the right: René Monster had good reason to be satisfied with a successful premiere, which thrilled the audience. Want to see more photos? Then click here to see Jacob Boas Leitissteins beautiful slideshow from the performance.

15 March 2016

The Swedish Circus Olympia has now published the full list of performers in this year's show:

The clowns Paulina & Gino Salvini

The bike acrobats Jackson Family

Adele Franco with parrots

Franco Olivera – comic Macho Gaucho act

Maria Fina Michaelo - juggling hanging in her hair

Lara Jackson - Hula-hoop acrobatics

Ludmila Luraschi - Air Acrobatics in aerial straps

The Bengtsson family with trained horses, camels and dogs

There are season premiere in Oskarström on Saturday 19 March.

14 March 2016

Small program change in Circus Maximum. There has been one change in comparison with the earlier announced program in the Swedish Circus Maximum, which will premiere March 23 in Älvsered: the trampoline comedian Max Weldy replaces the aerial acrobat Flabson. Max Welby is well known in Scandinavia: he was with Circus Benneweis in 1991, at the Red Inn Theatre in Copenhagen in 2003, in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens in 2004, in Circus Arena in 2010, in Swedish Circus Maximum in 2011 and Norwegian Circus Arnardo in 2015.

Max Welby in Circus Arnardo 2015

14 March 2016

The Norwegian Circus Arnardo opened the season yesterday on 13 April. Thorbjørn Flo saw the show and writes (my translation):

Approximately 3/4 filed in Circus Arnardo’s new 33 meter tent with fewer quarter poles and improved seating facilities.

The new Arnardo tent. All photos: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo

New front grandstand with only chairs, first five rows are numbered chairs. At the side grandstands there are also 3 rows of chairs with numbers as you know from ringside chairs. Ringside chairs box that we are so used to in Norway are now gone with Arnardo. For my part, this worked well.

A multi-million pound program this year with several top artists, such as gold clown wins "Desire of Flight" Merano in 2010, a very strong aerial act.

Desire of Flight - gold clown winners from Monte Carlo, where they also took part in this year's anniversary festival

Michel Ferreri – high pace juggler who we met in Circus Merano in 2010. Olander's cats are back in Arnardo circus ring still with a strong cat act.

Vlad Olander and one of his cats

Duo Dragomir impressed with their perch act are also with the teeterboard troupe Dragomir which can do up to five man high. Pat Clarrrison has previously been seen several times in Merano, with his well-known dog numbers. One of the better dog acts on the market.

Among the highlights of this year's program is the Norwegian tight wire dancer Chris (Christer) Pettersen who now at last are in a Norwegian circus ring with a whole new wire act using of two wires which cross each other. A strong act.

The Norwegian world class artist Chris Pettersen

Along with his partner Mara Chris also make a highly originally Buugengs Blades act. There is also a pony act with two ponies and a mixed act with three ponies and three llamas nicely presented by German Roy. Are and Paulina with three illusions leads legacy grandfather Arne Arnardo. Helen Arnardo has almost taken over entirely presentation part of the performance, this year without a horse. Are presents the last two acts and the grand finale.

13 March 2016

The medium-sized Norwegian Circus Zorba toured neither 2014 nor 2015. But this year, they expect to be back again. This year's show is called LIVE EACH DAY, and there is premiere in Kristiansund on Friday 8 April.

13 March 2016

The small Danish Circus Krone has season opening in Them on Tuesday 19 April 19. "This year we have put together a dream team both well-known and new names on the tent and in the ring. We have no less than four artist team this year! So it becomes a party!"  Irene and Jan Allan Thierry writes.

10 March 2016

The medium sized Swedish Circus Wictoria opens the season in Heby, Sweden, on 26 March. The Swedish circus fan Anders Troedsson tells that they this year will feature the following artists:

The Tarantini family with horses, exotic animals and goats. The family toured also with Circus Wictoria in 2015

Ladislav Kaiser – high wire

Maria Bizzaro – sword balancing

Duo Paschenko - parterre acrobats and aerial straps

Alan Sulc - juggler. In 2004, when he was just 13 years old he presented to the music of Safri Duo a nice bouncing-juggling act in Benneweis. He was awarded gold at the European Youth Circus Festival in Wiesbaden in 2002

Maria Tarantini - aerial act

Di Lello - clowns. Alan & Jenny Di Lello have appeared several times in Danish Circus Dannebrog, last time in 2004. In 2009 they were part of the autumn performance which the  Enoch family's circus Kenny presented at the Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense. The De Lello clowns toured also with Circus Wictoria in 2014.

Allan and Jenny Di Lello in Circus Kenny in 2009

9 March 2016

Circus Arli 2016. Martin Arli writes (my translation):

In a few weeks Circus Arli will again be on tour in Denmark as we have been doing continuously for the last 46 years.

During the season we will visit more than 100 cities and have no less than 155 performances.

Arli has this year put together a program with just young artists - one could call the show for tomorrow's circus. Talented performers in various circus disciplines, not just great artists but also great entertainers.

Ringmaster Bettina Arli is in charge of a very entertaining and versatile performance.

We are this year very proud to present the 8^th generation of one of Europe's finest circus families, namely the French 23-year-old multi-artist Francesco Fratellini, whose ancestors have written circus history for centuries. Francesco is a true talent in numerous artistic disciplines. In the performance you will meet him both as a clown, juggler and acrobat on bike.

Francesco Fratellini. Photo by courtesy of Circus Arli

Hula hoop is for most kids just a toy, but when Miss Sarah gets the hoops it is artistry on a high level - you can call her for "mistress of the hoops". Alexander Arli has during the winter been busy with jobs in various revues and the Tivoli "Halloween-show". In spite of all those jobs he have had time to create a new handstand act in which he has his head down and legs up. The dog is known to man's best friend. Lolek & Michele are a living proof on this. Funny dogs in a loving dressage, on the dog's terms.

Everybody can agree about “no circus without clowns”. And of course the audience can this year once again meet Alejandro & Martino, 2 merry ambassadors of laughter with new funny clown gags. In double-trapeze high above the ring you can see Seraina & Michele in a very graceful and thrilling double-act.

In the circus language “snake people” is called contortionists, people who almost can create knots with their body. This requires agility out of the ordinary. Miss Sarah has this which results in a very elegant and aesthetically acrobat act.

Miss Sarah. Photo by courtesy of Circus Arli

The Roman wheels were as the name suggests already invented in the Roman Empire. Nowadays, it's a very popular artist prop, which Miss Seraina also masters. Again this year you can meet all children's friend the super bear Mischa, with new wacky gags. Tissue acrobatics was invented in ancient China and was popular entertainment at the imperial court; in a contemporary choreography you can see Madam Imholz, to rousing music.

Madam Imholz. Photo by courtesy of Circus Arli

There's season opening at Mollebakken in Fløng on Easter Saturday, 26 March. After that the tour will continue to cities in the metropolitan area, Northwest Zealand and North Zealand.

As far as I know it is “first time” in Denmark for all the engaged artists. However of cause not for members of the Arli family.

As Martin writes the Fratellini family is a famous French circus family. They were especially well known for the clown trio Fratellini Fratelli (Paul, Francois and Alberto Fratellini), who in the interwar period had great success and even was awarded the French Legion of Honor. Francois was the white faced clown, Alberto was the August and Paul a sort of "middleman" - a role often performed by a ringmaster. It will be interesting to see one of the younger generations of the famous family in a Danish circus.

7 March 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  now THEATRE LA BOUSSOLE  proudly presents  a MAGIC SHOW, by and with the female magic entertainer YOGANE, daughter of  French magician YOGANO, well known as creator of several illusions, viz. THE FLOATING LADY, but in vertical position, she floats in mid-air right up, standing on a small stool.

YOGANE features an excellent program called MA SORCIERE PREFEREE /MY PREFERRED WITCH/, inspired by a popular TV program, addressing the family audience.

Yogane. Photo by courtesy of the artist/the theatre

YOGANE sports elegant costumes, an elegant stage make-up and she captures her audience because of her dynamic stage personality, holding their interest and getting their sympathy.

Yogane. Photo by courtesy of the artist/the theatre

This MAGIC SHOW addresses the family audience, so it contains a lot of interaction - a must in this context.

LA BOUSSOLE is a nice little theatre, where the YOGANE SHOW has a great success, profiting from a good light-sound and PA system.

YOGANE entertains the small fry as well as their parents, performing pleasant, funny and interesting stunts and effects.

Absolutely well worth seeing - hilarious and thrilling.

It is important that everyone thus can see that electronics can't replace LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

See more: http://www.yogane.fr/ in French but you can click to change into English

Venue: Theatre La Boussole, 29 rue de Dunkerque, 75010  Paris.  Metro: Gare du Nord.

-------------------------------  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

4 March 2016

Two birthdays with a round figure:

Sir Benny turns 70. On Thursday 10 March 10 the Danish artist and entertainer "Sir" Benny Fjeldsøe can celebrate his 70 year birthdays. Benny was born in 1946. From 1965 to 1974 he was a member of the bike acrobat troupe Trio Findal the two other members being his uncle Svend and Svend’s wife Hanne. In 1965 Trio Findal worked in Yugoslavia. In 1976 they toured Ireland with Fossett's Circus. After that tour they stayed in Dublin for 2½ year performing at the Olympia Theatre. After Ireland the toured with Circus Windship in the southern part of England. 1968 brought Trio Findal to the Far East: Formosa (Taiwan). Next stop was Japan where they toured for 2 or 3 months with a show with the singer Trini Lopez as the main attraction. Thailand and Singapore followed Japan. Back again in Europe they spent 3 years in Yugoslavia – on and off. 1971 brought Trio Final back to Denmark. In 1974 they had a contract with the new Swedish Circus Benzo. However they left after 3 weeks due to missing salary payments and Circus Benzo did not survive its first season.

Benny had for a while considered starting at his own. Thus he left Trio Findal and started as magician under the name Sir Benny (Sir Benny and his rabbits). He started in Yugoslavia and came then to Astoria in Milan. Later he worked at Olympia in Paris (together with Julio Iglesias), at the Casino in Nairobi in Kenya, in Greece and at the Sheraton hotels in the Middle East. 1981 was spent in Nice performing at the Casino. 1982 Sir Benny performed at the Monte Carlo Casino.

1983 brought Benny back to Denmark where he for the next 10 years performed at many revue theatres. In 1984 he married the actress Lone Lau.

Since 1987 Benny Fjeldsoe and Lone Lau has spent each winter at Club La Santa Sport at Lanzarote (Canary Islands) where they until 2013 presented a weekly show. Furthermore Benny worked until 2014 artist agent for the Danish Artist Union’s agency.

Sir Benny (left in the back row) with his Piano playing robot Mr Hairy which he several years ago bought in USA. Mr Hairy sways, turns and bobs his head just like a real person. His hands move up and down on the keyboard of the Yamaha while his foot taps in time with the music. 

Arne Björk alias the clown Jody turns 75. On Friday 11. March the actor Arne Björk can celebrate his 75 year birthday. Currently you can see him as a rabbi in Odense Theatre's production of the musical Fiddler on the Roof, and he has for many years been associated with the Odense Theatre. But he is also known as the clown Jody. Arne Björk was educated at Odense Theatre's Dramatic Arts School in 1970. In 1971 he had under the stage name Jody his debut as a clown in Circus Benneweis. From 1983 - 1987 he was with Benneweis the Copenhagen Circus Building in Copenhagen and on tour with their tented outfit. He has also toured Sweden, Germany, Hungary and Japan. In recent years, Arne Björk has worked with his poetic one-man-show "The Smallest Circus", which, each summer can be seen at ‘Möntergaarden in Odense. Arne, assisted by his wife, has also presented the show at the manors Selleberg and Egeskov in their tiny red tent with a diameter of just 7 meters. In 2014 the Copenhagen audience could meet him at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre in connection with the World Circus Day.

Arne Bjørk

2 March 2016

Martin Arli new Chairman of the Association of Danish Circus Owners. At an annual meeting on 2 March Martin Arli of Circus Arli was by proposal by the Association's former chairman Benny Berdino appointed as new chairman of the Association of Danish Circus Owners. The association also got new articles of association and has now the following circuses as members: Arena, Arli, Benneweis, Dannebrog, Krone, Mascot and Nemo. Circus Baldoni is expected to join the association. Flying Superkids is an associate member of the association.

The Danish Circus Owners Association's new chairman Martin Arli. Photo Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

1 March  2016

Correction to the program in Norwegian Circus Arnardo. "Just a quick update for your website. The Alexander troupe, which you write will work in Arnardo this upcoming season, is here with us in Bouglione (France) until July. So must be someone else in Norway,” the clown Don Christian writes. And he is absolutely right: there was mistake in my survey dated 26 February of performers in Circus Arnardo 2016: it is Troupe Dragomir and not the Alexander troupe which will present a springboard act in the upcoming show. Two of the troupe's members will also do a perch act. The Dragomir troupe toured with the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2007 and 2010.

The Dragomir troupe in Circus Brazil Jack in 2010

In addition to the acts that I mentioned on 26 February Circus Arnardo will also feature the couple Mara & Chris, appearing with Buugeng Blades and creating "mesmerizing patterns that constantly changes shape." Furthermore Arild Arnardo's 16 year-old grandson Arne Otto Luigi Folco Arnardo will present ponies.

Armando’s new tent has a diameter of 33 meters and is thus slightly smaller than the old tent which had a diameter of 36 meters. Many of the Norwegian circus lots are quite small, and the reduced tent size make it possible to use lots which previously couldn’t be used.

Drawing of the new Arnardo tent

One of the main attractions in upcoming Arnado-performance is the Norwegian tight wire acrobat Christer Pettersen. Circus owner Arild Arnardo says: He knocked on my door just nine years old and was allowed try his luck in the ring. But he was too young to join us on tour. Now he's older and we're really looking forward to having a Norwegian circus artist with us on tour. You know, there are not many Norwegian artists Arild Arnardo says with a smile remembering that he himself were a young tight wire acrobat in Cirkus Arnardo a few decades ago. Christer Pettersen has managed to do a lot of things since contacted us first time. Among other things he participated in the closing ceremony of the Olympics in London, and impressed the audience in "Norwegian got talent" on TV2. Now he's finally with us after having impressed audiences on several continents.

27 February 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- THEATRE CLAVEL  produces a rich show list, now MAGIC SHOW by and with LES JUMEAUX /= TWINS/, viz. CLAUDE and LAURENT MAMOU, who feature a MAGIC SHOW, full of hilarious stunts and surprises,  presenting  lots of effects using interaction from the children and their parents.

A signed paper disappears mysteriously and is retrieved in a piece of bread, chosen from many pieces by the person who is involved in this stunt - incredible.

The classic illusion THE SPIRIT CABIN is featured swiftly and with much laughter, a borrowed coat is suddenly found UNDER the rope that is used to tie up the other partner inside the cabin.

This illusion certainly is immortal and universally applauded, and this for more than a century!

LES JUMEAUX plays on and profit from their status as twins - enabling them to perform original effects.

They are old hands in show biz - having started at 15 years of age, then touring for a number of years, in France but as well in other countries, they were engaged by Danish CIRCUS BENNEWEIS for a season.

Twins. Photo by courtesy of the artists / the theatre

Their exceptional contact with their audience makes sure that they have success and the sympathy of the audience.

Absolutely well worth seeing - LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

Venue:  Theatre CLAVEL, 3 rue Clavel, 75019  Paris.  Metro: Pyrénées.

.........................................  reported by  ZARRO ZARRO.

16 February 2016

Norwegian Circus Arnardo is as far as I know again this year the only large circus in Norway. And with a brand new tent. There are season opening on 12 March in their home town Arendal. Among the performers is a Norwegian world class artist: the tight wire acrobat Christer Pettersen from Langhus in Akershus.

The other performers in this year's show are:

Roy & Trixi Quaiser - horses and eksoten

Vlad Olandar - domestic cats (Toured with Danish Circus Benneweis in 2009 and 2013, with Swedish Circus Maximum in 2008 and with Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2011. And took part of Enoch's Circus Show in week 7 and 8, 2014)

Vlad Olander in Circus Benneweis 2013. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Pat Harrisson (Pat Clarison) and his hot dogs (toured with Danish Circus Benneweis in 2013 and with Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2010. And performed few weeks ago in Benny Schumann’s mini circus during the winter holidays in Elsinore City Center)

Troupe Alexander - springboard (toured with Swedish Circus Maximum in 2013)

Desire of Flight – aerial straps (Valeriy Sychev and Malvina Abakarova. They were awarded a golden clown in Monte Carlo in 2014)

Michael Ferreri - juggler (toured with Danish Circus Arena in 2015)

Are & Paulina Arnardo - magic

Rampin Clowns - Clowns (toured with Danish Circus Arena in 2014)

The Rampin Clowns in Circus Arena 2014

Click here to view a trailer from the performance

26 February 2016

The circus season in Sweden begin on 17 March 17, when Circus Brazil Jack has their opening night in Malmö.

Among the performers in Brazil Jack is the fabulous Rosi Hochegger with her dogs and her horse Scout. Rosi was last time in Brazil Jack in 2011. In the season 2015 she toured with Danish Circus Benneweis. You can also meet the world famous clowns José Michels, who last time toured with Brazil Jack in 2014. In 2015, they did an abbreviated version of their famous funnel routine in Danish Circus Arena.

The José Michel-clowns are one of the world's best classical clown troupes and famous for their version of the funnel routine. In Cirkus Brazil Jack you can undoubtedly see them as musical clowns. By request of from ringmaster Uffe Holm the musical part of their entrée was unfortunately dropped when they last year toured with Circus Arena.

With them, José and his wife have their daughter Quincy Azzario, formerly one half of the silver clown awarded Azzario Sisters. The duo was dissolved when Quincy's sister went to the US to marry Alexander Lacey. In this year’s Brazil Jack-performance Quincy will do handstand.

Brazil Jack also presents the tight wire acrobat Nicol Nicols whom the Danes met in Circus Dannebrog in 2007 and knife throwers and crossbow stars The Jasters, who the Danish circus friends remember from Circus Benneweis 2011. Jessica Jaster will do foot juggling and Duo Costache presents a perch act. The latter act toured also with Brazil Jack in 2008.

The Jesters with in Circus Benneweis in 2011

On 19 March Circus Olympia will begin their season in Oskarström. Among the performers are the clowns Paulina & Gino Salvini. They could be seen in Danish Circus Dannebrog in 1998 and in the Swedish Circus Skratt in 2010. Further the audience will meet the bike acrobats the Jackson Family as well as Franco and Adele Olivera’s parrots. The latter number was with Circus Benneweis in 2015 when Franco also presented his comic gaucho entrée which he also will do in Circus Olympia. This year's Olympia performance offers additionally juggling hanging in the hair, hula-hoop acrobatics and acrobatics in aerial straps and of course the Bengtsson family with trained horses, camels and dogs.

Franco Olivera with parrots and as gaucho

Circus Maximum premieres in Älversered on 23 March.

The names of the performers were mentioned on this website on 9 and 14 December:

Anton Frank with horses and eksoten

The Urunov family (Ruslan and Elena Urunov and the couple's daughter Laura) with high school riding, dogs and quick change and juggling on horseback

Duo Vanegas - wheel of death

Duo Pulsadas - hand-to-hand, hand-to-head and head-to-head balance

Los Hermanos Rodriguez from El Salvador – Risley act

Flabson (Francleib Rodrigues) - aerial act

Francesco - clown

Ruslan & Elena Urunov. Photo from the year's circus festival in Budapest

Circus Wictoria premieres in Heby on 25 March. I do not yet know the program.

Circus Skratt will probably have their season opening on 8 April in Älvängen.

It is doubtful whether Cirkus Scott will tour this year.

24 February 2016

Circus Arena has published the names of the performers at this year's show, which has opening night in Copenhagen on 16 March.

Trio Creation - the young and graceful handstand artists Sofia, Daria and Valeria from Ukraine.

Nonstop Team - trampoline jumping against a wall. The six-man large Ukrainian troupe flies through the air from trampoline to trampoline in combinations and a high tempo. Swedish Circus Scott presented some years ago a similar number. It is the first time we see such an act in a Danish circus.

Laura Berdino presents Friesian stallions from Arena’s own stable.

The clown Jimmy Folco is well known from many previous seasons with Circus Arena.

Mario Berousek - the world's fastest juggler. He toured Denmark in 2007 with Circus Benneweis. His specialty is juggling with clubs, and in the final trick with three clubs he does it with a formidable charisma and an amazing speed. His younger brother Robert Berousek worked for several seasons for Circus Arena.

Mario Berousek in Benneweis 2007

Ekaterina Karmashov will do a trapeze act which, inter alia, includes immersive bungee jumps from the top of the big top. The Russian air artist combines power and elegance with beauty, agility and strength. She worked in swing trapeze in Circus Arena’s 2015 performance.

Rudi Althoff presents as in 2015 Circus Arena’s 3 African elephants.

Paulo Kaiser is a rola-bola acrobat and does inter alia a backward somersault from rola to rola. He has appeared several times in the Swedish Circus Maximum, last time in 2015. This is his first season in Denmark.

Patrick Berdino will present six dromedaries and six llamas. Patrick will also be ringmaster assisted by his Strictly come Dance-friends James Sampson and Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl.

Circus Arena hopes that the Strictly come Dancing-stars Patrick Berdino, Sara Maria Franch-Mærkedahl and James Sampson will draw additional audience into the tent. Photo: Circus Arena / Christian Warrer

An intoxicating laser man present with the latest technology a magical light show, when darkness has fallen in the tent.

Circus Arena playful sea lions occupies the ring with splashing of water. It is not the same sea lions which you last year could see in Circus Arena’s winter quarter Circus Land in Slagelse, but two other sea lions - a large male and one female - who have worked in circuses abroad.

The Cretu troupe from Romania will this year work in Russian swing. In 2014 and 2015 they presented their springboard act but now they have changed the springboard for a Russian swing.

Circus Arena has previously announced that there would be daredevil motorcycle stunts over the legendary globe of death in the ring. But they have skipped this act.

24 February 2016

Circus Baldoni has season opening on Tuesday 15 March in the Copenhagen suburb Lyngby. About this year's program, they write (my translation):

We celebrate our 15th season with a bang with top artists from all over Europe and with acts never before seen in Denmark.

You will meet the rola bola artist Eduardo, who is also a fabulous juggler, the very special handstand act "Hands two Violin" where the handstand artist has a violin-playing woman sitting on him when he performs his horizontal handstand. The hula hoop artist Maria and aerial artists "Pirates of the Circus" will undoubtedly impress even the most discerning audience. (The two Hungarian pirates Szulita & Dennis were also with Baldoni in 2012).

The pirates Szulita & Dennis in Circus Baldoni 2012. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

In addition, you will meet Hercules. Directly from the world's largest circus in the United States, we have this year been fortunate to book the strong man Hercules who among other things grabs a cannonball flying through the air, bend iron bars and when the conditions make it possible is being run over by a car. (Hercules' civil name is Jozsef Pakucza. He has e.g. worked for the Irish / English Circus Vegas in the same performance as René Mönster’s good friend Kim Kenneth, who has established the contact with the strong man).

It is many years since we last saw a strong man act in a Danish circus. Hercules presents such act in the upcoming Baldoni-show. Press photo from Circus Baldoni

All linked together by Denmark's most popular clown Danilo and the ventriloquist director Baldoni, who of course has his well-known speaking lion Leonardo on his arm.

24 February 2016

Winter Circus 2016. As previously mentioned on this website you could several places all over Denmark see winter circus in week 7 and 8. Because of holiday, I myself have only seen one of these performances. But good friends have provided me with photos and and/or reviews of a number of the other performances.

ENOCH'S CIRCUS SHOW 2016. Jacob Boas Leitisstein saw the show in Odense on February 20 and writes (my translation):

Jimmy has since 2012 presented super beautiful small circus performances in Danish shopping malls during the school children’s winter holiday and this year was no exception. This year it were Rosengårdcentret in Odense and Friis in Aalborg, who were lucky to get a visit by Jimmy's circus show.

The show started out at a fast pace with the circus director Jimmy Enoch in his proper element, namely riding his bike. Jimmy did a few tricks on the bike before he welcomed and established the right circus atmosphere.

The first artists in the ring were the Messoudi Brothers with a great juggling act. The three Messoudis juggled both with balls and clubs. The entrée ended with the 3 brothers juggling hat, glasses and cigarette off the head of their father.

Then the show’s clown entered into the ring, namely the clown Joanes. He should of course try to juggle like Messoudis. It did not go that well and Joanes had to get help from a member of the audience. The man from the audience should obviously help to make just the right drumbeat.

The next stars in ring were four-legged - for now Jennifer Frankello entered the ring with her dog act. The playful and happy dogs jumped through the rings, danced Gangnam Style and could also jump over a girl from the audience.

Jennifer Frankello. All photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

After the dog show the circus director was back in the ring, this time on unicycle. Many Danes probably knew the number from the TV talent show "Denmark got talent," where Jimmy reached all the way to the quarterfinals. One could at least clearly feel that the audience was ecstatic with the number where Jimmy balances with an impressive number of glasses as he cycles around in the ring.

Jimmy Enoch

The next number in the ring was the clown Joanes, who also wanted to ride a bike. But the bike broke and Joanes tried unsuccessful to fix it.

The last act in the show was presented by Jimmy as the performance's best act and I fully agree with him! It was the Messoudi Brothers' impressive handstand act. People do not believe their eyes when Messoudis manages to perform a handstand in raving positions. A perfect act to end a super good performance!

Messoudis. Click here to see more of Jacob’s fine photos from the show.

Although the show took place indoors in large shopping centers you could easily get the proper circus atmosphere. For the show takes place in a beautiful circus ring with ringside chairs and a grandstand and a beautiful artist entrance. In addition there is top professional sound and light. Overall, a 40-minute spectacular winter-show!

Circus Krone. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance 18 February at 14 in the Concert Hall in Aarhus, smaller auditorium, and writes (my translation):

The smaller auditorium is perfect for the circus, especially when it is completely filled with many children accompanied by parents and grandparents. And so it was for this performance.

Circus Krone has rituals which never changes. E.g. Irene Thierry’s welcome, where the audience greet each other and bows to the Director. And parting after the presentation of the participants in the final, where she announced that they will use the proceeds from the show for crusty rolls next morning. And then there is Krone’s own jingle. For the performances in the Concert Hall it was the drummer Marc Thierry who in an excellent way put rhythm on top of the taped music.

Alando is the main character - the lovable clown who always has a good dialogue with the children. He is surrounded by all kinds of stuffed toys - this year also a giraffe – which he talks with, fights with, becomes afraid of and at last become their friend with. There are also two ponies – live ponies! A black and a white. When the white comes in after the black, he wonders and says: "Has the horse got a bath?" And in this way he small-talks with his animals and with the audience which responds with empathy and heckling.

Alando with the white pony. Photo from Krone’s tent performance in 2015

The artistic were left to the Varady family who you could meet in Circus Arli in season 2015. Duo Alerim did an aerial act with aerial acrobatics which hardly can be performed better - beautiful and difficult. Mirela swing hula hoop rings. Lucien performs fine bouncing-juggling - up to 6 balls. Beautiful artistry!

Duo Alerim. The Romanian artists toured with Circus Arli in 2015

And then the performance ends. But when leaving the ring they forget Alando who complain saying, "You have forgotten me, and it's even on purpose." Irene helps him out with this comment to the audience: "Just laugh! I am married to him!" But I believe he still got crusty gets rolls next morning.

Isabella Enoch winter circus. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Søby-Højslev Arena, 12th February at 16:30 and writes (my translation):

The relatively small arena was filled to capacity – approximately 500 spectators. There was built a gradin around the ring with ringside chairs and 6 rows of benches. And the atmosphere was nice from the start to the end of the performance.

Isabella Enoch was ringmistress. After her welcome Bernhard Kaselowski presented six white liberty horses, followed by a large black horse and a pony - large and small.

Then the clown Bertie Balder entered the ring as an ostrich that grabs sugar cubes. He was the main character in the show.

Bertie Balder together with two fans. Photo: Lilly Boel

He was followed by The Liazeed. The trio has become a duo, Zaida and Francisco. But Liazeed is - still - a study of the real, pure acrobatics: beauty, strength, perfection and aesthetics which form a perfect whole. Their attitude is the top professional artists: friendliness and openness, combined with courtesy and pride that never lurches and turns into bragging or better knowledge. Every gesture and every trick is a pleasure. Their first appearance in the show was Francisco's work on a pole.

Then came an excellent juggler Mark Dorfner. He began with juggling with balls and rings. In particular, it was noted that he tilted a club, which rested on the heel, into the cascade. The number went over the ladder acrobatics, where he juggled 5 rings, standing on top of the ladder. And his final trick: standing on the ladder he wore a forehead perch while he juggled 5 rings.

First part of the performance ended with the fruit eating elephant who steals fruit from the unsuspecting, but hungry clown Bertie.

Then there was the 20-minute break, which, however, lasted 40 minutes!

The second part of the performance began with Beatrix Hölscher with two sea lions. Circus fans remember her from the time when she and her former spouse run the German Circus Fliegenpilz, which unfortunately today is circus history.

Then came The Liazeed with their top act. Now they are only two, but the number was excellent and now also includes handstand working up and down the ladder that leads up to the pedestal. Zaida did handstand on Francisco's back while he was walking on his hands down the ladder. And many other incredible tricks.

The Liazeed. Photo: Lilly Boel

Then Peter Balder entered the ring with 4 dogs in a number that clearly was inspired by Old Regnas.

Bertie conjured before Cap Crew did a great springboard act. A good version of the demanding discipline under which the man must first put his colleague in the rotation and then catch him after his trip up in the air - with pirouettes and somersaults. And they are young! They are raising stars.

The show ended with the elephant Ramboline before Isabella Enoch presented artists in the finale.

And yes! One might see winter circus (and it must apply all winter circus, no matter who is behind it) as circus which "steals" the audience from the travelling summer circuses. But it might be more reasonable to see winter circus as an appetizer, which enhances interest in this summer's performances.

At least there was no doubt here: the visiting kids will probably want their parents to take them to the circus when they in summer see circus posters in their city.

Baldoni winter circus. Afte return from holiday at New Zealand I saw the show on February 24 at 14:45 in Ishøj Shopping Center.

Baldoni’s permanent clown Danilo presented two of his fine entrées season 2015: the entrée as the small Danilo who imitates Elvis and many other rock stars. And the restaurant/spaghetti-entrée where he invites a fine lady to his restaurant. The character as nice lady was performed by Danilo's girlfriend Cindy, who got both champagne and spaghetti elsewhere than on the plate and the glass! And Danilo spits water only in the head of his girlfriend and not as Fumagalli also at the ringside audience. Thank you Danilo! I can’t stand getting water in my head which has been in the mouth of another person.

Small Danilo

The audience was enthusiastic with the Spaghetti-entrée.

Oliver Berdino did his juggling entrée and was furthermore assistant state manager.

Oliver Berdino

Finally Oliver's mother Suzanne presented assisted by her husband Daniel 4 happy dogs. During the act she was small-talking to the dogs, which made the act even better. Make this a permanent part of your dog act Suzanne!

Suzanne Berdino

The show was presented by René Mönster and his talking lion Leonardo.

The audience had good reason to be satisfied with the almost 30-minute long spectacle which undoubtedly draw many customers to the shopping center.

Also Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited the show. Click here to see his photos.

Circus Panik had performances in Week 7 in their own little circus building in Vanløse. The photographer Per "Mr. Sputnik "Krogh Petersen has sent me photos below and writes:

Circus Panik Gallery update Feb. 2016. See the new "Live Video" and pictures from their SHOW 2016. They make a SHOW you simply must see. Circus Panik is a small family circus with fun and joy of life in the driver's seat. Circus Panik Show. You can only be in a good mood.

Click here to see more photos from the show

Per did also visit Circus 3 in the Ballerup Center and Benny Schumann's Mini Circus in Elsinore City Centre. From these performances, he has sent me the photos below.

Circus 3 in Ballerup Centre.

Benny Schumann and Max Carling in Elsinore City Center. Click here to see more photos from the show.

Circus Aotearoa. Seen in Fox Glacier on 20 February.  As I saw the show during the winter holidays, I will also make a review of the performance in this small circus even though it took place in New Zealand and not on Zealand.

During a visit on a rainy day to the small village of Fox Glacier next to the famous glacier I spotted in the village’s outskirts something that looked like a circus tent. But I saw not a single poster. I went to the lot with the tent. And sure enough, there was a small circus with an oblong two pole. I met the chef in the circus who owns it together with his brother Daniel, who is the ringmaster. The chef told me that Circus Aotearoa was established 8 years ago and is the only circus in New Zealand, which is owned by locals. New Zealand’s only other circus has only Chinese artists. According to chef technically very skilled, but stiff and boring, where Aotearoa emphasize that their performances should be fun and entertaining. He told me that in New Zealand a circus are not allowed to display posters on lampposts, etc., and that there were performances day after at 11 and 19:30.

I decided to see the show at 19:30 and came half an hour before it began. It rained cats and dogs, and I expected that the show might be canceled due to lack of audience a rainy Saturday night. But it was not true: the tent, which I estimated to accommodate 300 spectators, ended up being jam-packed, and there was a tremendous atmosphere and the enthusiastic audience from beginning to end. But a bit strange that 10-15% of the crowd first came 5-10 minutes after the show had begun.

The tent had 2 poles and several quarter poles. There was a single row of ring side chairs in sections of 4 chairs.  On one of the oblong sides there were first five rows of plastic buckets seats and next to them six rows of benches without backrest. The ring was situated almost next to the other oblong side of the tent.

Circus Aotearoa advertise that they are a circus without animals. While they understand that a Touring Circus of old, was one of the highlights of rural life, filling many more roles than it does today for country populations. Providing for many, the only opportunity of ever seeing an exotic animal, of any kind. According to Aorearoa those days have passed, and as society has moved forward, Circus has to, and should do the same.

Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand - the land of the long white cloud.

The show was one of the most entertaining circus performances I've ever seen, and with great emphasis on the audience having it fun.

The show was opened by a young juggler who juggled with hats and did balancing. E.g. with one of the sections of ringside chairs. He ended up having to juggle sitting on a high mono bike, supported by a two spectators. Technically not a "big" juggling act, but fun and entertaining.

Then ringmaster Daniel bid welcome and did a short diabolo act. Then another artist entered the ring and did a fine act with chair balancing. In the final trick he balanced on top of 5 chairs.

Chair balancing. iPhone photo

Then came a good number with 2 girls in aerial hoop.

Aerial hoop. iPhone photo

The ringmaster came back, this time as a clown, and did among other trick a comical rola-bola act.

Next came the performance's best act: a young Japanese ball juggler that I would like to see in a Scandinavian circus.

The next artist had before the show told me that also had toured Europe, probably as a street performer. At Aotearoa he appeared as escape artist and was wearing a straitjacket and then hoisted into the ceiling upside down. After having freed himself from the straitjacket he was hoisted down again.

Then we met a plump female hula-hop artist Helga in a fine and humorous entrée. It ended with a male assistant having to give her a hand to get her up from a splits position!

The ringmaster then was back together with the juggler and chair balance artist and presented a nice trio juggling act. The last act before the interval break was a female acrobat in tissue.

After 15 minutes break the chair balance artist did a short number in pole. Next the juggler came back, this time with clubs. He was replaced by a female artist in a fine number in swing trapeze. The escapologist came back, this time with a Substitution Trunk act.

Then the ringmaster / clown did comical juggling with hats. After him we met once again the Japanese juggler, this time with the elegant ball balance. The performance's last act was a female artist in vertical rope.

Vertical rope. iPhone Photo

Most acts run 3-5 minutes so attention span was not over taxed. The performance run for 1 hour 45 minute and was accompanied by taped music. There were a total of 8 performers. All acts were presented with good humor and it was a very well running performance. And it's a long time since I've met such enthusiastic an audience as I met this rainy Saturday evening in Fox Glacier. Also this certainly helped to make it a wonderful circus experience.

Click here to see more photos and video clips from the show.

14 February 2016

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- but certainly also in DUBAI:

During THE DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL, featured in JANUARY, all shopping malls offer substantially cut prices on - everything, on top on that they treat their customers to interesting, funny, and original circus acts, well worth seeing.

I saw in IBN BATUTA SHOPPING MALL /IBN BATUTA, Arabic explorer 1304 - 1368/:

An excellent acrobatic juggling act, inspired by the Spanish author CERVANTES /1547 - 1616/, viz. his classic hero DON QUIXOTE, who fought against imaginary enemies, and his valet SANCHO PANZA.

Using a lot of interaction with the audience they performed classic juggling spiced up with acrobatic stunts, a lot of fun and  wearing authentic costumes of the time, and their respective vehicles were bikes , on which had been fitted respectively a head of a horse and a head of a donkey, thus referring to their way of travelling.

They attracted big crowds and were popular as intermission in a shopping spree.

Artists: Sebastian Gonzalez and Cristian Valencia. Photographer: Adrian Chitic. By courtesy of Mr. Johnny, Dreammaster

Photo: IMAD DAHER

See more: https://www.facebook.com/Dream-Master-Entertainment-and-Events-210040332423970/

...................................  reported by ZARRO ZARRO.

5 February 2016

Two birthdays with a round figure

La Norma 90 years. Tuesday, February 9 the Danish-born trapeze star La Norma (Norma Fox) can celebrate her 90 year birthday. Norma was born in Randers in 1926 as child no. 5 out of a crowd of 13 children. In the spring of 1940, Variety Maxim in Randers was visited by the artists Florita Sisters. However, they were not sisters, but mother and daughter. The mother, Emilie Altenburg, was looking for a young talent who could be trained to be part of the act. At a dance school she saw the 14-year-old Norma. Without involving Norma Emile Altenburg agreed with Norma's parents that she would take Norma as a trainee. And Norma was with short notice ordered to travel with Florita Sisters to Copenhagen, where she should have board and lodging and training.

Probably the parents believed that Emilie Altenburg would take good care of their daughter. The reality was different: Norma were virtually enslaved and got beatings if she questioned their rule or made mistakes during training.

The harsh conditions continued the following years. In autumn 1941, Norma got her debut at the Variety Maxim Randers. Almost 16 years old, she got under the stage name La Norma her international debut at the National Scala in Copenhagen. Later during the war Mrs. Altenburg took her trainee first to Norway and then to Sweden, where La Norma worked in Circus Altenburg and in Circus Scott. After the war Mrs. Altenburg and Norma came to Denmark and toured in 1946 with Circus Belli. Here Norma met her spouse-to-be André Fox, and he gave her the courage to break out from the slave-like conditions.

Later, Norma and André went to France where La Norma performed on a trapeze suspended from the Eiffel Tower. The act was seen by John Ringling North, and Norma and André Fox got a contract with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. In 1949, La Norma had her US debut, and she and Andre Fox was with Ringling to and including 1951. In the Oscar-winning film "The Greatest Show on Earth", recorded in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, she was a stand-in for the lead female actor Betty Hutton in the trapeze scenes.

At St Armand’s Circle in Sarasota Beach, you can see the Circus Ring of Fame with bronze wagon wheel plaques for a number of famous artists, living as well as deceased. Among these is La Norma

From 1952 and until she stopped her artistic career, she performed in a number of other American circus. Today she lives as many other retired artists in Sarasota, Florida, where she trains young trapeze students. But in a more human way than the training she had herself!

Her life is described by the Danish author Aase Thomassen in the book La Norma - grief, loss and success - a Danish trapeze star's path to international fame. The book is in Danish, but enclosed is a CD with at page-to-page translation into English. Due to La Norma's 90th birthday Aase Thomassen offers that you in February can purchase the richly illustrated book for 90 DKK (approximately 12 Euro or 13 USD) + shipping costs. The book can be ordered at aase@aasethomassen.dk

La Norma, photographed in Sarasota. Photo: Aase Thomassen

Josette Dubsky 85 years. On Friday 11 February Josette Dubsky can celebrate her 85 year birthday. Josette Carmen Dubsky was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer on 11 Feb. 1931 as daughter of Charlie Ravel’s brother Polo. Thus, she is cousin to Paulina Schumann and worked for many years as an August clown together with her spouse Joseph Dubsky and their son Janos as white-faced clown. Joseph in Josette’s father’s Polo Rivel's costume with the little black nose, Josette as her uncle Charlie Rivel in the long red wool sweater with a red nose and red wig. She was good, with very beautiful feeling for the August-role. Josette and Joseph's last season as clowns were in 2000 when they toured with Circus Dannebrog. However in the winter holidays in week 8 in 2004 they had a single week's comeback in Circus Kenny in Rosengaardcentret in Odense.

Josette and Joseph Dubsky in Circus Kenny in 2004. Photo: Lise Kokholm

3 February 2016

Circus Minimax 2016. The small Norwegian circus writes (my translation):

5-years of joy, humour and excitement!

Circus Minimax can this year celebrate its 5-year anniversary and presents a performance packed with wonderful experiences. In short, everything which is needed to give our wonderful audience the real circus atmosphere. For the fifth consecutive year, circus owner Carl-André Hjelvik and his talented artists tour Norway with his tiny circus. Circus

Minimax is today one of few circuses on the Norwegian roads. We are not of the largest and don’t have the same challenges as the big circuses have. Cirkus Minimax has managed to adapt in an increasingly difficult market and found their own niche, director Carl-André Hjelvik says.

Cirkus Minimax want to welcome the audience to an entertaining world filled with

laughter and joy, strength, agility, quickness and not least elegance. We guarantee superior artistry from beginning to end in the country's smallest circus.

A visit to Cirkus Minimax shall be something you can feel in many muscles and senses. This year's show features includes the popular clown Don Carlos from Denmark and a blizzard juggling act of high quality performed by Oliver Berdino. Oliver is known from the large Danish Cirkus Arena, which incidentally is the largest circus in the Nordic countries. We are also very proud to present trained dogs in this year's performance. Furthermore, the program includes both agile acrobats, skilful balance artists, fast-paced and exciting fakir show and a diabolo act,

To the left: Don Carlos (Mogens Koelmeyer). To the right: Oliver Berdino. Oliver was also with Circus Minimax in season 2015

Another popular feature is our trademark: the circus school, where the audience can attempt to become real artists guided by our professional artists. Circus Minimax is the only circus in Norway that offer this feature.

Our performances will impress, fascinate and amaze the whole family. We are betting on an intimate performance where you are close to our artists. Circus Minimax always put great emphasis on joy, humour and excitement! I think everyone needs a free period from everyday stress, director Carl-André Hjelvik says and welcomes everyone to his party in the ring.

Cirkus Minimax has for the upcoming season bought two new tents. A tent with a diameter of 10 meter for use for smaller events. And a tent with a diameter of 15 meter for used for larger events.

2 February 2016

Michael Frederiksen: Listen to us! Showbizz interviews. Hardcover and illustrated. 352 pages. Private publishers. Language: English

The Danish magician Michael Frederiksen, also known as Magic-Michael, has recently published a book with interviews with a number of artists, mainly magicians.

In preparing the book Michael sent a questionnaire to a wide variety of entertainers. In the book he brings a slightly edited version of the answers he received and has inserted a mini biography of each artist. Every artist has an individual chapter dedicated to him or her.

The standard questions were e.g.

Why, i.e. why the person began performing

Heroes, i.e. which models the person has had

Achievements, i.e. greatest successes, etc.

Make us laugh, i.e. funny episodes

Embarrassing situations

What if you wanted a carrier change, i.e. what would you have been if you were not showbiz-man

Motto, i.e. the person's own motto

Each interview is finished with a link to the artist’s website.

The book contains a total of 75 interviews and instructions for a few bar bets, puzzles and magical tricks.

The advantage of the technique chosen is that it makes it much easier to write such a book. The downside is that when the individual interviews are created using the same template, the book can seem a bit stereotypical, unless you read it in small portions.

The order of the interview seems a little haphazard and the book is lacking an alphabetical name register. The last make the book less useful as a handbook. However, the book is still very interesting and very well word to read. It can e.g. bee ordered from the from the Danish dealer in magic articles Steen Pegani at www.pegani.dk

2 February 2016

Elena Dzen Urunov’s one horse liberty act. In my short review dated 12 January of the recent Budapest Circus Festival I wrote that Elena Dzen Urunov’s act probably was inspired by the act which last year brought Anastasia Stykan Fedotov a golden clown at Circus Festival in Monte Carlo. Ruslan and Elena Urunov have now drawn my attention to the fact that Elena’s act is 5 years older than Anastasia’s act and e.g. could been seen in Circus Roncalli in 2008. I regret the misleading information in my review. To see a video clip of Elena’s act from Budapest: click here

30 January 2016

The magic show Stictly comes Magic has its opening night in Naestved on Friday 30in the evening.

The promoter is René Mönster who since he was a child has been interested in magic. René worked for many years as a magician under the stage name Ron Marvin before he established the Circus Theatre which later became Circus Baldoni. René Mönster has for several years wanted to produce magic shows in the winter season.

Despite opening night nerves and a few mistakes, e.g. a motorbike that would not start, the audience saw a great and entertaining show.

There were great illusions performed the Veres family, who the Danish circus audience met in Circus Mascot 2013.

Veres family

Mr. Daniel who in circus context is known as the clown Danilo did the trick The sands of the desert. He empties 3 glasses with coloured sand into a bowl with clear water. Then he stirs the water in the bowl and the water turns black. And then Daniel takes with one hand the sand out of the water and pours the completely dry sand back into the glasses. See photos and drawings. Pure magic. René Mönster's good friend Kim Kenneth did a similar trick in Circus Benneweis 2010.

The young magician Patrick presented charming stage magic. Delerius (Henrik Veres) juggled and bounced with juggling balls between fire and water. The duo M & M showed comical magic. René Mönster did mental magic and presented the performance,

Last but not least we saw the "old" experienced magician Hasse in two entrées. First, his elegant variety theatre act as Rikki with the rabbit doll Nancy. A number that older members of the audiences remember from a few seasons with Benneweis in the Copenhagen Circus building in the mid-1980s. And secondly with children magic as Pierrot. Hasse Hjort has for many years been Pierrot in Tivoli Friheden in Aarhus.

Rikki and Nancy

Hasse Hjort as Pierrot. All photos: Ole Simonsen. Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitissteins great photos from the show

In the coming weeks, the show will tour the Faroe Islands until the team in Week 7 will return to Denmark with performances in a number of cities on Zealand.

30 January 2016

My permanent correspondent in Paris, ZARRO ZARRO is visiting Dubai where his daughter and son-in-law are living. He has sent me the following report:

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- but certainly also in DUBAI:

THE GLOBAL VILLAGE  --    big fun fair and amusement park half an hour's drive from downtown center, features the well-known attractions --but offers  circus and variety acts on open air stages.

I witnessed LATIN CIRCUS -- two very skillful young acrobats and jugglers from COLUMBIA; starting by throwing  FRISBEE plates, then elegant juggling while performing acrobatic stunts.

Photo: IMAD DAHER DUBAI

They featured acrobatic stunts in GERMAN WHEEL, also called CYR WHEEL.

Nice colorful costumes, appealing rhythmic music and an excellent contact with the audience.

Photo: IMAD DAHER DUBAI

The MIDDLE EAST audience is very keen on circus and variety acts,

SUCCESS!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN DUBAI!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------------  reported by  ZARRO ZARRO.

29 January 2016

Circus during the winter holidays. School children in Denmark have winter holidays in week 7 and 8. The children have only one week's holiday, but whether it is in week 7 or 8 is different from municipality to municipality.

As previous years you can in several shopping malls etc. in Denmark see circus performances etc. during the winter holidays. Here is a summary of what you can see this year:

In Copenhagen and on Zealand

The Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen

From 15 to 19 January you can every day at 11 meet the Bonbon Clowns. The Bonbon Clowns consists of the clown Bonbon and his wife Tiina and their children Joakim and Julia. Bonbon is one of the few Danish clowns who has become international well-known. He has performed with Tiina at the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo and in some of the largest circuses in Europe.

In the show, you can see some of Bonbons best entrées including the superb badminton entrée. You can also see juggling and balance with Julia and Joakim and a hair hanging act with Julia.

Bonbon and Tiina

Benny Schuman's winter performances in Elsinore City Center

Benny Schumann presents from 15 to 20 February his Mini Circus in Elsinore City Center. Free of charge. The cast is apart from Benny Schumann himself Patrick Harrison with his Hot Dogs and the Swedish musician and multi-artist Max Carling, who both will do solo acts and a few comedic run-ins together with Benny Schumann. Patrick Harrison, who sometimes uses the stage name Pat Clarison, was last time in Denmark in 2013 when he toured with Circus Benneweis.

Circusland in Aaslev Slagelse

From 13 to 21 February open every day from 10 to 16. The event park Circusland is situated in Circus Arena’s winter quarter. Circusland features includes a short circus performance, a circus school, western show and a sea lion show. The performers in the circus performance are Suzanne Berdino and her triplets Charmaine, Stephanie and Oliver and Patrick Berdino with his teammate Jhon Rivera. There are also a number of animals, however not Arena’s elephants as they for the time being are in Italy.

Circusland presents among other things a western show

Strictly come Magic - magic show, produced by Circus Baldoni

The team behind Danish Circus Baldoni put a magic show on tour in January and February. Opening night will be Friday 29 January at 18:00 in the old military camp in Naestved. Following that they will tour 10 days at the Faroe Islands and then return to Zealand with performances in Kalundborg on 14 February, in Slagelse on 15 February, in Nykøbing F on 16 February and in Faxe on 17 February.

In the show you will meet the illusionist family "Veres" from Hungary, the variety theatre magicians "Rikki & Nancy", the comic magical duo "M & M" and the magician "Patrick". The only non-magician is the juggler "Delirus" who is juggling that good that you will think it's magic as he uses both fire and water his act. Apart from presenting the show circus owner René Mönster will present some tricks from his own time as a magician and mind reader. His stage name was Ron Marvin.

Click here to see a teaser for the show.

Baldoni’s winter circus at Ishøj Shopping Center

From 22 to 27 February. Ishøj is a Copenhagen suburb. The performers are Suzanne Berdino with dogs and Oliver Berdino with juggling. In addition the Baldoni team: director René Mönster and the clown Danilo and his partner and girlfriend Cindy. Free of charge

The talented young juggler Oliver Berdino is among the performers in week 8 in Baldoni’s winter circus in Ishøj Shopping Centre. The week before you can meet him in Circus Land in Aarslev, Slagelse

In Jutland and on Funen Island

Isabella Enoch’s winter circus.

From 12 to 21 February Isabella Enoch presents winter circus in a number Jutland arenas. The performers are

John Burke Jr. with sea lions.

Berty Balder with clown run-ins.

Peter Balder with a comical dog act.

Mark Dorfner - juggler.

The Cap Crew - springboard acrobats from Hungary

The Liazeeds with handstand and pole

Bernhard Kaselowsky with the elephant Ramboline and horses and perhaps also llamas.

Isabella Enoch will present the performance

The Cap Crew. Isabella Enoch saw the two guys with a basketball and a springboard at the special Hungarian gala show at this year's circus festival in Budapest.

The Liazeed consists today of Zaida and her spouse Francisco. The troupe originally consisted of Zaida and her father Omar. Later Zaida's friend Francisco joined the troupe. It was this trio the Danes met in Circus Benneweis 2008. The trio was also with Circus Dannebrog in 2012, but at that time Omar had turned 70 and had left many tricks to his son in law. Today papa Omar has withdrawn as an artist.

Circus Krone in Aarhus Concert Hall

From 13 to 21 February the Danish Circus Krone present winter circus in the Aarhus Concert Hall.

The program is put together by the circus director, Irene Thierry, who is proud to present

Duo Alerim from Romania, which does Hula Hoop, Bouncing Juggling and high up in the air a 2 person trapeze act.

Duo Alerim. The Romanian artists toured with Circus Arli in 2015

Furthermore you will meet the clown Alando who Circus Krone call Denmark's best clown. Without him no Circus Krone! You will also meet the tiny ponies trained and presented by Jan Allan / Alando.

Enoch's Circus Show

The show is produced by Jimmy Enoch.

In week 7, you can see the show in Rosengaardscentret in Odense and in week 8 in Friis City Center, Aalborg. Free of charge.

Jimmy tells that the performers are

Jimmy Enoch, well-known from this year’s ‘Denmark got talent’ as ringmaster and with his bike show.

Messoudis Brothers with their super handstand act and juggling.

The clown / comedian Joanes from France with run-ins

Jennifer Frankello with her dogs show.

4 Messoudis, photographed in Circus Brazil Jack in 2015. Papa Messoudi and his three sons are probably the best acrobats you this year can see in any Danish winter circus performances. They toured with Circus Dannebrog in 2008 and 2014

Circus Mascot

Circus Mascot visits Herning Shopping Centre in Week 7 and Aalborg Shopping Center in Week 8. Free of charge.

The performers are Marianne and Andreas Deleuran and the clown Ulmas / Gulio and his family. There will be hula hoop, diabolo, dogs and Gulios reprises. The show is presented by Daniel Deleuran.

Andreas and Marianne Deleuran with Circus Mascot dogs

In What’s on you can find information about addresses, time of performances and ticket ordering if tickets are required.

25 January 2016

The list of circus museums updated. Dan Roneklint Sorensen has updated his list of circus museums, etc. worldwide. Languages English, German and Danish. Click here to see the updated list, which includes links to a number of interesting websites.

23 January 2016

The Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, had in 2015 visitor record with 23,126 guests which is more than ever before. The museum had, inter alia, 207 visiting school classes, 75 kindergarten visits and 85 times Circus Fun, where the whole family could try the magic of the circus in the museum’s own circus ring. The museum hopes to make 2016 just as successful as 2015.

The museum opened in 2001 in the main building of the old barracks called Avedørelejren. Its foundation is the large collection gathered by the juggler Ølund Barly (1917-1999), which consists of more than 110.000 different items ranging from photos to circus props and costumes.

The collection was originally stored in Barly’s apartment, but in 1992 a project took form aimed at digitally registering Barly’s entire collection and having it stored in a safer environment. This work took 10 years, and resulted in one of the largest digitally registered collections in Denmark.

In 1999 the municipality of Hvidovre bought Avedørelejren and wanted to create an attractive area where residential housing was mixed with tourism, creative business and culture. The municipality gained an interest in Barly’s collection and in 2001 the Circus Museum opened in Avedørelejren.

Since 2004 the museum has been run by the municipality of Hvidovre. In 2009 funds from Realdania and Arbejdsmarkedets Feriefond made it possible to expand the museum considerably with the addition of Fægtesalen. Here the museum can offer circus activities such as performances and workshops, which add a whole new dimension to the museum experience.

The museum displays the life of the circus, the family traditions and the different acts you can find in the circus from fleas to elephants and clowns to acrobats. You can experience some of the greatest artists from the variety scene and circus ring such as Charlie Rivel the clown, whose famous guitar is on display, Truxa the magician whose famous mind-reading trick is revealed, Paulina Schumann and many more.

We want you to explore the exhibition: Press the buttons, open the hatches, play the games and a new world will reveal itself.

For a more fun-filled experience the children can try on some of the costumes in the exhibition or you could try our quiz or circus challenge as a family.

The address if the museum is Hovedporten 6, Avedørelejren,  Hvidovre. From central Copenhagen you can take Bus 1A to Avedørelejren right in front of the museum.

18 January 2016

Circus Olympia 2016. In the Swedish Circus Olympia you can in season 2016 meet the clowns Paulina & Gino Salvini, the bike acrobats the Jackson Family, Adele & Franco Olivera with parrots and Franco with his comedic Macho Gaucho number. Other artists will present juggling while hanging in the hair under the circus dome, hula-hop acrobatics and acrobatics in aerial straps. And then you will of cause meet the owner family Bengtsson's own acts with horses, camels and dogs. There's season opening in Oskarström Saturday, March 19.

Adele and Franco presented their two acts in Danish Circus Benneweis in 2015. They received great praise for both the parrot act and for Franco's entrance as a comical and strong flirty gaucho cowboy. And Franco is actually born in the country of the gauchos: Argentina.

Franco Olivera with parrots and as gaucho

The Salvini clowns toured with Danish Circus Dannebrog in 1998, with the Norwegian Circus Merano in 2008 and with the Swedish Circus Skratt in 2010. The troupe's current members Pavlina & Gino Salvini are the fifth generation of a family of clowns which has entertained audiences from all over the world since 1870. One of their most popular entrées is the comical car. So I wonder if it will be one of the entrées, you can see Circus Olympia?

17 January 2016

Contemporary circus at the Royal Danish Opera. It is no ordinary to present circus performances in the Opera House. But from 26 to 30 January you can meet the contemporary circus performance E2 at the opera's intimate stage Takkelloftet.

The performers are four jugglers from the Belgian Companie Ea Eo.

M 2 is a closed circus show in which 4 jugglers find themselves locked up on a stage that keeps getting smaller and smaller. Both juggling and social relationships endure the consequences of promiscuity, and sneaky become some sort of ordinary violence.

The performance seems to be another one of the long number of contemporary circus performances which the purpose isn’t to entertain, but to preach a message. Click here to see a video clip from the performance.

15 January 2016