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Last updated : 28. March 2025
27 March 2025
Circus Arena's 70-year anniversary performance.
This year’s Arena performance is a great performance that deserves people to flock to the tent.
There are not many circuses that manage to survive for 70 years. And certainly not with a director who has been with them from the very beginning. But the Berdino family's Circus Arena has managed to survive and is today both the largest and oldest circus in the Nordic countries. And a circus that for many years has offered great performances with world-class international artists.
This year's performance will not disappoint those who love circus. And neither those who are not regular circus goers but want to see what you can experience in a circus tent. They will be wildly impressed!
Last year, the Danish circuses received support from the Ministry of Culture for the first time ever. As Benny Berdino writes in the printed program, it was a milestone for the circus' continued place in Danish cultural life and a recognition of the art they perform every day and the unique experience the circus gives its audience.
The 2024 grant was a one-off amount. We must hope that the circus in the future will get support that ensures that this part of Danish cultural heritage lives on. Just like the support which the Danish Parliament has given to ballet, opera and theatre. Without this support, we would have neither ballet nor opera in Denmark and only very few theatre performances. Cultural life in Denmark will be poorer if the circus becomes something that can only be experienced in a museum.
This year's Arena performance is presented, just like the 2024 performance, by Bubber and Malene Qvist. They do an excellent job. Malene is probably the best of the partners that Bubber has had as co-hosts in the ring over the years. Children today know and love Bubber as Arena's iconic ringmaster, just as previous generations remember Nelly Jane from Circus Benneweis and Werner Knipschildt from Schumann in the Copenhagen Circus Building. And by the way, remember something about Bubber and a bathtub …
35 years ago, Bubber was known from the children's TV program Sytten-nul-dut, which was popularly called Bubber's Bathtub. In 1991, he was first time featured in Circus Arena, which that year presented Circus under Water, and where Bubber came sailing into the waterfilled ring in his bathtub. For the rest of the 1990s, he was ringmaster at Arena. A task he returned to in 2019. Apart from the corona years 2020 and 2021, he has since been an indispensable part of the performances in Circus Arena. Photo: Ole Simonsen
The performance began with an illusion act, which according to the printed program was to be presented by Christoffer Eötvös. However, he was not present at the premiere performance at Bellahøj. The explanation is that he is part of the German Circus Krone’s winter performance in the circus building in Munich, where the season does not end until April 5. Christoffer performed on a stage in Circusland last year. It can be difficult to make a stage act work in a ring. The act that was shown at the premiere at Arena probably used some of Christoffer's props and offered great illusions, which unfortunately could be a bit difficult to see for the spectators who were not sitting in the middle of the parquet seats.
Magic in the ring – at least for those who were sitting in the parquet seats. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
Next, Malene and Bubber welcomed. The singing Malene came down a staircase from the orchestra stand wearing a beautiful red dress. And before I forget it: great praise to the well-playing 6-piece circus band!
Malene on the stairs. Photo: Ole Simonsen
The first acrobat act was the young Steven Ferreri with a great and extremely well-executed act on a tightwire. The act featured both backward and forward somersaults. Steven was also with Arena in 2023.
A master on a tightrope. Photo: Ole Simonsen
Next followed a short run-in with Circus Arena's long-time house clown Jimmy Folco, who wanted to be applauded when Bubber welcomed him into the ring. Bubber therefore had to send him back several times and encourage the audience to give more applause when Jimmy came back in. Including a standing ovation at the end at Bubber's request.
The versatile artists Leonardo and Vita Costache were with Arena for the first time in 2017. Their specialty is perch acts and aerial acts using mouth bites. This year is their 6th season at Arena, and they show an impressive perch act that first involves Leonardo climbing ladders while balancing a perch with Vita on the top on his forehead. Their entrée ended with Leonardo carrying a perch on his shoulders. A perch that has a 'wheel of death' on top in which Vita rides. Very spectacular when the act ends with lights in the wheel and Vita's costume!
Duo
Costache. Photos by Ole Simonsen and Jacob Boas Leitisstein, respectively.
Circus Arena no longer has its own animals, but instead rents them from other circuses. Last year, some were disappointed by the fact that there were no horses in the performance. That's why this year they have rented 6 beautiful Friesian horses from the Swedish Circus Olympia. They were presented by Karsten Berdino, who has been on a short training stay in Olympia's winter quarters to get to know the horses.
This year there were horses in the ring. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
The next act in the ring was with an artist we have never met in Denmark before. And with an act we have never seen before. It was French William Tournoud, who performed rola bola on a swinging platform. However, he showed the last tricks while the platform wasn’t moving.
Rola bola on a swinging platform has never before been seen Denmark. Photos respectively Jacob Boas Leitisstein and Ole Simonsen
Then followed a short wild west run-in with the feathered Jimmy Folco and his whip-wielding wife Claudia. The gag where Jimmy ends up losing all his feathers. By the way: Jimmy and Claudia had a silver wedding anniversary last year.
Jimmy Folco before he loses his feathers. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
The last act before the break was two members of the Ortiz troupe in wheel of death which achieved great speed. In the last half of the act, one ran on the outside of the wheel, while the other functioned as an 'engine' inside his wheel. The outside man mastered both skipping, blindfolded running and some deadly jumps, although not with somersaults.
Wild jumps on the wheel. Photo: Ole Simonsen
Just before the break, a nice box of candy was raffled off. This happened when Malene, with her back to him, directed Bubber around the rows in the grandstand. Bubber was carrying his 2-year-old daughter Rosa on his arm at the same time. Photo: Ole Simonsen
After an about 20-minute break, the young Swedish artist David Hammarberg came into the ring, riding a camel. Using a rope, he climbed up to a rope which ends were attached to the circus dome, so that the rope hung down in a V-shape. He then showed a number in what is called cloud swing, where the artist swings on the rope and repeatedly lets himself fall, catching the rope with his feet or doing a somersault. Today, a relatively rare discipline. The last time we saw it at Arena was probably in 1986. In previous seasons at Arena, the versatile David Hammarberg has performed in tissue and bungee trapeze. It's great that this year he's showing us something we rarely see. To end the act, Karsten Berdino came into the ring with 3 camels, which like the horses, are rented from the Swedish Circus Olympia.
It has been almost 40 years since we last saw cloud swing in Arena's ring. Photos respectively Jacob Boas Leitisstein and Ole Simonsen
During the break, Malene Qvist had changed into a blue dress. Bubber teased her that she could then be called Madam Blue, which as the older members of the audience know is the name of an old-fashioned coffee pot. Malene rather wanted to be little Miss Himmelblå. Together with Bubber she sang Gitte Hænning's and Dirch Passer's old hit about Miss Himmelblå.
Little Miss Himmelblå, put on your crooked hat … Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
Now the young juggler Michael Ferreri came into the ring and juggled with balls, the number of which increased and increased every time a ball fell from a box under the circus dome. Like his brother Steven Ferreri, he was with Arena in 2023. He mastered having 9 balls in the air at once. An attempt to manage 10 balls failed at the premiere, but will undoubtedly succeed many times during the season.
Not easy to keep all the balls in the air … Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
Jimmy Folco has been known and sometimes criticized for dragging spectators into the ring. This year he managed without any helpers other than Mrs. Claudia. The couple's last entrée in the performance was the well-known restaurant gag, where Jimmy was supposed to serve his guest Claudia. I'm hardly giving anything away by revealing that Jimmy ended up getting a custard pie in his head. After throwing spaghetti pieces on the heads of spectators in ringside chairs!
At the restaurant in the ring. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
The next artist in the ring was the only 15-year-old Gabriel Della'Acqua, who presented a very strong handstand act which also featured hand jumps up platforms that formed a staircase. After the number, he received a well-deserved spontaneous standing ovation. He must be an obvious candidate for nomination for this year's talent award from the Danish Circus Award. In 2022, he won gold at the European Youth Circus festival in Wiesbaden.
Gabriel Della’Acqua – a rising star! Photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
The last act of the show was the 7-man high wire troupe Los Ortiz. They were also at Arena in 2023, where the Danish Circus Award gave them the prize for the best act of the year. As in 2023, they ended the entrée with the famous 7-man pyramid, where artists in 3 levels cross the wire. Impressive! In 2023, as I remember, the poles for the wire act were put up next to the king poles to the right and left of the artist entrance. This year they set up so that the wire spans across the ring, which is an advantage compared to the 2023 set-up.
Los Ortiz got the prize for best act of the year 2 years ago. Photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein
In the finale of the premiere performance, Bubber mentioned that the man behind it all, Benny Berdino, has been with Circus Arena for all 70 years. A deeply moved Benny Berdino thanked and also expressed a warm thank you to his children Suzanne and Jackie Berdino.
Benny Berdino has been with Circus Arena ever since his father started it in 1955. Benny was 8 years old at the time. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the performance
This year's Arena performance is a great performance that deserves to have people flock to the tent. But such a performance is expensive to produce and tour with. We must hope for political understanding for the need of support in some form. Otherwise, we risk that it will be the last time we in Denmark can experience a performance like Arena's.
24 March 2025
Circus Merano finally back. Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo writes (my translation from Norwegian):
The last season for the Norwegian National Circus Merano was 2014.
Now back in a completely new form and a completely new format. Adapted for 2025. In a new tent with an elevated ring for the first time in Norway. A concept that has been well tested in other countries such as Denmark with Arli, Baldoni and Nemo.
Merano in a new 28-meter tent, only chairs in the box and grandstand with 650 seats. A completely new Merano adapted to today's times. Light crew cars, few transports cut expenses and the use of many drivers. Technicians.
Circus
Merano's new tent. All photos: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo
Merano for the first time without a live band but technically very good sound and good music arrangements directed by Lasse Nørager. His daughter Julia Myllykangas was responsible for the lighting design.
A well-composed and varied performance with several good artists put on stage by Christian Hofer. Duration 1 hour and 55 minutes with a 20 minute break. The feeling of genuineness from Merano's glory days is still there. Fewer four-legged artists but high quality of those who are involved.
Christian Hofer, also known as the clown Don Christian, together with this
year's clown Tonito, who is the son of the clown Toni Alexis and brother of
Totti Alexis
Merano's red nose this year is the clown Tonito, who introduces while the audience is on their way in. Finally puts on his make-up in the ring in front of the audience. Good reception from the audience throughout the performance, a clear favourite. Particularly good on both trumpet and saxophone. And playful dog act with Elvis.
Tonita
with the dog Elvis
Merano has always opened with a fantastic light show at most of its performances.
This year with luminous drones performed by the artist Lugo who has worked with Zirkus Flic Flac and Circus Charles Knie in Germany.
Darwin Pellergini tempo juggler with real tempo, a very good artistic start at Merano 2025.
Kimberly Zavatta in aerial straps, some of the best I have seen in many years in this discipline in Norway. Somewhat dark lighting otherwise very well done. Noticed that the audience liked what they saw.
As part of the act, Kimberly Zavatta also hangs in her teeth using a mouth bite
Stefania Jarz with a classic foot juggler act with balls and scarfs. Up to 5 balls at once, impressive.
Nicol Nicols on a tight line with forward and backward somersault as highlights, also here some weak lighting. Something I expect will be improved.
20 minute break, the audience can use the circus's 2 well-stocked kiosks.
The clown Tonito in cooperation Stefania, quick change act at a very high tempo. Very good direction with dance steps and a high humour factor. Here the lighting and music were absolutely perfect to the great enthusiasm of the audience.
I would say that Sanger's dog act is a living legend in the circus. Has worked at all the major European circuses. One of the very best dog acts to be found. Lots of laughter and joy among the audience. Clearly one of many favourites in this year's Merano program.
Lugo with a laser show, best suited for the youth in the audience. Flames, laser lights, smoke and loud music. Something that has not been shown in Norway before.
Nicol and Kimberly with crossbow act at a high tempo. Great costumes and good lighting. Kimberly worked in a hanging pole and hanging by teeth. Both roses and balloons were hit as they should.
The clown Tonito ends it all with his Elvis parody, good one. Grand finale with dancing artists and presentation of a the performers.
Unusually in Norwegian circus, Dir. Knut Dahl did not present the performance. His voice is recorded and played back in the introduction of the show and in the finale.
Merano 2025 is a circus show of the time, nice variation artistically. The lighting at the premiere was probably something that has been worked on for the better in the future.
Just coming out with a brand-new circus in such a relatively short time deserves great respect.
Hereby recommended to see the Norwegian National Circus Merano 2025.
Grand Finale
Among the audience at the premiere were Swedes Bengt Kallquist, Anton Frank, Helena Schicht, Ingo Stiebner. From Finland Kalle Jernstrøm of Circus Finlandia with wife. Guests from English circus. Roy Bjerke, former Merano artist and secretary. And many more in a packed tent with standing ovation in the finale.
Circus owner Knut Dahl
21 March 2025
Cirkus Trapez 2025. The small Jutland circus writes (my translation):
Come into the world of magic and adventure when Cirkus Trapez invites you inside the tent for this year's performance 2025 "What a Circus"
This year's performance is about our sweet clown Gabor's journey into the magical world of the circus and offers impressive acrobatics, fast-paced juggling of a special class, beautiful aerial acts, beautiful Swiss shepherd dogs (which in 2017 won the prize for the best circus act of the year in Denmark), parrots, horses, ponies and much more. Of course, our popular and lovable clown Gabor will also come into the ring with brand new clown run-ins which will make both young and old smile and laugh.
You can start looking forward to a magical and adventurous circus experience for the whole family. Our Denmark tour starts on April 16 in Tønder, after which we again this year will tour both Jutland, Funen, Lolland-Falster and Zealand until September 14.
The
prize-winning dog act mentioned is Rafaela Honden's act with large, white Swiss
shepherd dogs, who clearly love being in the ring. In 2017, Rafaella toured with
Circus Mascot, where she also performed with parrots and with a comic horse act.
18 March 2025
Circus Brazil Jack 2025. The large Swedish circus, which calls itself the world's oldest touring circus, opens the season April 18 at the Mill Square next to the castle in Malmö. They will stay in Malmö until April 27. The Mill Square is located about a 20-minute walk from Malmö Central Station.
Circus director Trolle Rhodin III presents this year's performance as follows (my translation):
Circus Brazil Jack, the world's oldest touring circus, is back with a new, spectacular show filled with nerve-wracking acts and magical moments. An animal-free show with amazing artists who defy the impossible!
Hold your breath as Trolle Rhodin presents the human cannonball shot through the air! Be fascinated by incredible acrobatics, where bodies swirl in a symphony of strength and agility both on the ground and in the air. Watch the juggler play with gravity in a captivating dance of speed and precision. Hear the roar of the engines as the driver of the death globe challenges fate in a daring explosion of skill!
In our star-studded tent, a show filled with laughter, excitement and pure circus magic awaits - an evening you will never forget!
The show run for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes including a 20-minute intermission.
The Globe of Death is always an audience favorite. In 2024, the Diorios troupe was the last act in Circus Brazil Jack with 4 riders in the globe. Also in 2025, you can experience the Globe of Death at Circus Brazil Jack.
The names of the performers will be announced in the beginning of April.
Brazil Jack, whose civil name was Carl Max Alexander Rhodin, started his circus in 1899. However, it has not toured every year. The current Circus Brazil Jack has, apart from the corona years, toured every year since 1982. It is currently run by Brazil Jack's great-grandson Trolle Rhodin III and is Sweden's largest circus.
There are two other Swedish circuses: the medium-sized Circus Olympia, which is run by the Bengtsson family, and the small Circus Rhodin, which is run by Trolle III's aunt Diana Rhodin. In addition, there are 2 small German-owned family circuses that usually tour Sweden: Circus Popcorn and Circus Bambino.
16 March 2025
Horses and camels in Circus Arena. Previously, Circus Arena had many animals, which were partly used in the performance and partly hired out to other circuses. However, it became more and more difficult to hire out the animals, and they have to be fed and cared for, even if they end up staying at home in the stables in the winter quarters in Aarslev. That is why Circus Arena sold their animals a few years ago, and instead rented animals for their performances. This year, the animals – 6 horses and 4 camels – come from the Swedish Circus Olympia, which is known for having beautiful and well-groomed animals. Both for their own use and for rental. The horses and camels are presented in Circus Arena by Karsten Berdino, who has presented Arena's own horses several times before. Incidentally, this is not the first time a Danish circus has rented animals from Circus Olympia. Circus Benneweis rented camels from Olympia in 2014 and Tinkerhorses in 2015.
In 2023, Karsten Berdino presented Circus Arena's Arabian horses. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. This year, the horses come from the Swedish Circus Olympia.
16 March 2025
Zirkus Nemo. It appears from the Danish Gazette Statstidende from March 13 that the Maritime and Commercial Court's bankruptcy court by decree of March 10, 2025 has taken ZIRKUS NEMO ApS under bankruptcy proceedings based on a petition received on February 13, 2025. Attorney Morten Bøgenskjold, Algade 55, 3., 4000 Roskilde, has been appointed as trustee. Morten Bøgenskjold is a partner in the law firm Njord. Anyone who has a claim against the debtor is invited to notify the estate's trustee of their claim, calculated as of the date of bankruptcy, within 4 weeks of the announcement in the Official Gazette. The notification should be accompanied by documentation for the claim.
Zirkus Nemo announced on February 18 that they had been declared bankrupt, even though the formal bankruptcy decree was not issued until March 10.
14 March 2025
★★★★★☆
Circus of Torment. The first circus premiere in Denmark in 2025 was March 13, when the Dutch-owned Circus of Torment opened the season at Trianglen in Copenhagen. With a performance that certainly does not resemble the family-friendly performances we know from Danish circuses. Circus of Torment describes their performance as follows:
“In this horror circus, the tormented soul of the late circus director Alexander Ferluci returns from the dead. But he is not alone! Together with his former artists, they haunt the darkness within their cursed Big Top! Travel back to a dark time and experience the spectacular freak show where eerie fortune tellers, insane acrobats and terrifying clowns get you on the edge of your seat…”
Circus of Torment on the lot at Trianglen in Copenhagen
If you love a classic circus performance and actually think that the performances you saw 20 years ago were better than today, the performance at Circus of Torment is hardly for you. The same applies if you think that a circus performance is something you should see with a child or grandchild in your hand.
But if you like the Halloween atmosphere and want to see what a circus also can be, a visit to Circus of Torment is an experience. They themselves write that the performance is not suitable for children under 12 years old. I would set the age limit a little higher and think that the primary target group is young people from their twenties to mid-thirties. An age group that would otherwise not visit a circus. That is why Circus of Torment is not a competitor to the Danish circuses.
Before the actual performance, there is a kind of pre-show CarnEvil outside the tent.
In the small 2-pole tent there are two ticket categories: RIP tickets, where the audience sits on chairs around the small circular stage, and regular tickets, where the audience is placed on five rows of benches, where only the back one has a backrest. At einlass the VIP audience is let in first for a short pre-show, before the other visitors are let into the dimly lit tent in groups. This makes the einlass procedure a bit time-consuming, but contributes to creating a very special atmosphere right from the start. There is room for 250 spectators in the tent.
In the dark tent you are surrounded by scary freaks, psychopathic artists and murderous clowns, who are certainly not afraid to get very close to the audience.
As is usual in contemporary circus performances, the performance should be seen as a whole and not a show that focuses on the individual artists, who are not presented by name either. There is no ringmaster.
However, this does not change the fact that the performance offers good artist acts. With several artists who have also performed in traditional circuses.
The recurring character is a skilled mime artist with several good entrées as a comic magician. Including an entrée where he takes an audience member up on stage, without it seeming embarrassing.
A girl with a hair hanging combines her act with contortion. An exciting combination that I have not seen before.
From the world of fairs we meet fire-eaters, one of whom returns as a fakir and a sword swallower and ends up pulling a girl up a trapeze using a hook through his nose.
A juggler, who is presented as insane, bounces his balls down onto his podium.
A diabolo juggler, who manages to get 3 diabolos into the air at once.
A duo presents a great and very fast-paced roller-skating act.
One of the last acts in show is the well-known knife-throwing entrée, where a clown put a blindfolded spectator in front of the shooting target, and where it is the clown's partner who punctures the balloons. If the show were to be tightened up a bit, in my opinion that entrée could be omitted without major damage.
All the performers has an impressively good make-up, see photos. Apart from the photo from the finale, all artist photos are press photos from Circus of Torment, as photography is not allowed during the show.
From the finale just after the circus director Alexander Ferluci has hanged himself. Maybe a slightly macabre way to end the show.
As mentioned, the artists are not introduced by name. However, David Sosman has given me the names of the lead performers: forces:
Hair Hanging - Alénee Aisha, who is also the fakir's partner in the fire-eating act.
Juggling - David Sosman. The Danes have previously seen him in Circus Dannebrog and in Circus Trapez, which is owned by his mother Isabella Enoch Sosman.
Contortion – Juma
Mime artist - Kevinski Gorczyński
Diaboli - Michaël Betrian, who is also the owner of Circus of Torment. The Danes have previously seen him in Circus Dannebrog and in Circus Trapez.
Fakir - Zeno Sputafuoco
Roller skates - Skating Nistorov. At Circus of Torment they are a duo. In 2017, the Swedes experienced them as a trio in Circus Olympia. They have also performed in the famous Cirque d’Hiver in Paris
Circus director and other roles - Nigel Vos
The lighting is impressive, and there is a smooth and elegant transition between the individual acts. A number of monsters running around in the audience also act as props. Impressive that they can do it in the dim lighting.
I usually don’t give review stars to circus performances in Denmark. But there is so much innovation and exciting elements in the performance in Circus of Torment that for once I deviate from my principle. So, five well-deserved stars!
After Copenhagen, Circus of Torment visits Odense, Vejle and Aarhus. See more in What’s on.
11 March 2025
More artists for Circus Arnardo. The Norwegian circus has announced some more names of performers in this year's performance. Several of the artists are the same as those that the Danes have just experienced in Cirkus Trapez's winter performance.
The clown of the year is Rudi Brukson, who, as at Cirkus Trapez, is assisted in his entrées by his wife Irina Skuratova. As at Trapez, the couple's two children are also part of the Arnardo performance: their son, the juggler Rico Brukson and their daughter Elena Brukson, who performs in tissue.
There are several recurring “performers” characters from Trapez, namely 6 cats and 6 ferrets. At Trapez, they were presented by Swetlana Roslyakova. At Arnardo, they are presented by her daughter Anelya Roslyakova, as Swetlana will be the nanny for Anelya's oldest daughter, who is 4 years old and going to school in France. In 2014, the Danes experienced Anelya and her ferrets at Circus Benneweis.
In addition to the Brukson family and Anelya's entrées with cats and ferrets, the show features a completely newly developed magic and illusion act with the director couple Are and Paola Anardo. Are's grandfather, the Circus King Arne Arnardo, was Norway's most famous magician.
The director couple's son Arne Otto Luigi Folco Arnardo is 25 years old and named after his great-grandfather Arne Arnardo. Last year he performed with a diabolo. For 2025 he has developed a completely new act.
As in 2024, the show features Kevin Probst and his parrots. Last year he also presented a dog act. This year his girlfriend Isabelle Hostettler is presenting the dog act.
Kevin Probst with parrots. Photo: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo
In addition to the artists mentioned, the performance features Alina Malko in flying pole. That is, a pole that is free from the surface and hangs in the air.
In the upcoming season, Circus Arnardo will use their iconic 4-pole blue tent, which was last used in 2019. It has a diameter of 30 or 32 meters. It is larger than Circus Merano's tent, which has a diameter of 28 meters. From 2021 to 2024, Circus Arnardo used Kevin Probst's white tent, which has a diameter of 26 meters. The third Norwegian circus, Circus Agora, uses a tent with a diameter of 24 meters. The last Norwegian circus, Sirkus Jesper, which is located stationary in Kristiansand Zoo, has a tent with a diameter of 21.6 meters. The photo above shows Arnardo's tent at the 2018 premiere, where there was snow on the lot in Arendal. Photographer: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo.
10 March 2025
Jimmy and Jeremy Enoch in Britain's Got Talent. In the Danish talent program Danmark har Talent, which was broadcast from 2014 to 2019, the participants were Danish. The broadcasts were built on the concept of the English Got Talent, which is still used in England as well as in a number of other countries. In several countries with participants who do not come from the country in question. Recently, Jimmy Enoch and his son Jeremy have been part of this year's edition of Britain's Got Talent with Jimmy's glass balance act on a unicycle.
Jimmy
Enoch with glass balance. Photo from performance in Enoch' Circus Show week 7 at
Rosengaardcentret in Odense.
9 March 2025
Circus Rhodin 2025. Diana Rhodin's small Swedish Circus Rhodin will open the season in the Malmö suburb of Aakarp on April 12 at 4 p.m. During the Easter holidays, they will have performances in Malmö at the lot next to the shopping centre Mobilia.
The main character of the show is, just like in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the clown Dimo. He comes from Bulgaria.
Dimo the Clown
Circus director Diana Rhodin presents her dog act – little stars with great charm. From Finland comes Duo Baer, who has two acts: one with hand-to-hand/adagio acrobatics and one with acrobatics in a prop with rotating rings. Sometimes called a lollipop, as the shape can be reminiscent of a giant lollipop. Totti and Rhea are educated at Lahti Circus Education Finland, where they completed the 3-year education in January 2024.
Click here to watch a 1-minute video teaser from their acts.
The Wolf family, who also was with Circus Rhodin in 2022, also has two acts: formation juggling and ladder balance combined with juggling with torches. The young Danish aerial acrobat Nynne Hulsig Samuelsen shows a newly developed act with aerial acrobatics under a sparkling crystal chandelier. In addition to the above, the performance features a hula-hoop entrée.
Wolf family as jugglers
7 March 2025
Circus of Torment 2025. Circus of Torment presented horror circus performances in Vejle and Aalborg in February 2023. In the fall of 2023, they were back with performances in Esbjerg, Aarhus and Odense. This year, they are back in Denmark with performances in Copenhagen, Odense, Vejle and Aarhus with a premiere in Copenhagen on March 13. They write:
The Circus of Torment is a unique, spectacular and international live horror show experience created by Dark Thrills Entertainment.
Prepare to travel back to a dark time of mysterious fortunetellers, terrifying freaks, psychopathic acrobats and murderous clowns. This show is not for the faint of heart and is a guaranteed hair-raising experience! Take your place around the specially designed centre stage that gives a unique 360 degree view of the terrifying action. Feel the thrills and chills come alive all around you as the entities of this cursed domain take the stage.
Be a part of the show, and witness international artists from all over Europe perform their incredible and dangerous circus acts in this immersive horror show. Witness the pain and experience the torment!
Circus of Torment invites you in for a show you will never forget…
About the performance in Aalborg 2023, the digital media migogaalborg wrote “Perfect combination of thrills, laughter, horror and screams” and gave the performance 5 stars.
On this website, Jorgen Lorenzen wrote, among
other things: "There was so much that at the end you wanted to see it all again.
And as in a good theater performance, the performance posed questions to the
audience: what did we see here? How should we interpret it? There was not just,
as in a good circus performance, a bombardment of the senses, a joyful
demonstration of the many facets of circus art and its beauty".
In the Circus of Torment's 2-pole tent there is a small circular stage
surrounded by 2 rows of chairs and a grandstand with 6 rows of benches. Photo
from Odense October 2023
First 2025 performance in Denmark is in Copenhagen at Trianglen on Thursday, March 13. As some circus friends may remember, Circus Dannebrog used the lot at Trianglen for many years when they visited Copenhagen. But from 2011 the lot at Trianglen could not be used due to the metro construction. When Circus of Torment put up their tent at Trianglen, it is 15 years since a circus last time used the lot. But there is a world of difference between Circus Dannebrog's classic family-friendly performances and the performances in Circus of Torment, whose primary target group is young people. They write that the experience is not suitable for
younger audiences, and that the recommended minimum age is 12 years.
In England, Germany and the Netherlands, you have been able to see horror circuses for a number of years. With Circus of Torment's visit to Denmark in 2023, it was the first time we experienced a real horror circus in Denmark. A horror circus mixes horror with black humor, rock music or horror film-inspired electronic music and artistry.
Circus of Torment is produced by Dark Thrills Entertainment with Dutchman Michaël Betrian as CEO. Danes were able to see his diabolo act in Circus Dannebrog in 2014 and in Circus Trapez in 2021. David Sosman has the task as Gustavo, the insane juggler.
David Sosman as Gustavo, the insane juggler. He is son of Isabelle Enoch Sosman
and grandson of the late Haddy Enoch
5 March 2025
Circus Olympia. Circus Olympia is Sweden's second largest circus and present a classic circus performance with many animals: horses, goats and dogs.
The 2025 season will open 5 April in Oskarström.
Cirkus
Olympia's tent has a diameter of 28 meters and room for 600 spectators. Press
photo from Circus Olympia. Photographer Linda Himsel
Cirkus Olympia presents this year's performance as follows (my translation):
A circus performance is always a collective achievement, but it is important for Circus Olympia always to offer some exciting new acts which never before has been seen in Sweden. This year it is Team JanShow from Ukraine who will perform two unique bicycle acts... One in a romantic style and the other a troupe act at a high tempo. No circus without a clown and this year Clown Tumpy from Chile is back to make children of all ages laugh.
Frida Evelina Persson is an international aerial acrobat from Sweden, trained in Spain where she has also worked as an artist in major international productions, including those produced by Cirque Soleil. This year she will perform pole acrobatics. From South America comes the tempo juggler Rafael Gil. Guerreros will perform with an exciting and beautiful springboard act. Circus Olympia's own horses and dogs of course have their obvious place in this year's performance. This year Niklas Bengtsson will present his beautiful ponies and Henrika Bengtsson will present the Circus Patrol, i.e. her mischievous and playful dogs. Natascha Jarz has trained a brand-new act with goats from the 4H farm in Malmö.
Circus Olympia is characterized by traditional circus entertainment for the whole family, framed by beautiful music and modern show technology.
Team
JanShow. Press photo from Circus Olympia
The 2025 program looks like this:
Musical overture
Team JanShow, Bicycle acrobats
The clown Tumpy
The circus patrol - Henrika Bengtsson with dogs
Ester in trapeze
Paul, guitar solo
Rafael Gil, tempo juggler
The clown Tumpy
INTERVAL
Overture
Niklas Bengtsson - with ponies
The clown Tumpy
The Guerrero family, springboard acrobats
Natascha Jarz - with playful goats
Frida Evelina Persson - Pole acrobatics
The clown Tumpy
Team JanShow, BMX stunt bikes
Grand Finale
The clown Tumpy was also at Circus Olympia in 2024. Smartphone photo, taken by Jörgen Börsch.
In 2023, Frida Evelina Persson worked in tissue and in 2024 in aerial ring. This year she will do pole acrobatics. Press photo from Circus Olympia. Photographer Emelie Kindblad
3 March 2025
Circus Merano 2025. Knut Dahl's Norwegian Circus Merano has been on hold since 2014. But this year they are going on tour again with a brand-new tent, grandstand and other equipment. The tent is a 2-pole tent, probably with a diameter of 28 meters, i.e. smaller than the old Merano tent and the same size as the Swedish Circus Olympia’s tent. There is national premiere in Fredrikstad on Friday, March 14. While the other two Norwegian circuses Arnardo and Agora stick to the southern part of the country, it is probably Knut Dahl's plan also to visit cities in the northern part of Norway, where it has been several years since the last was visited by a circus.
Circus Merano’s new tent. Photo from Knut Dahl’s Facebook page where he writes: “Cirkus Meranos brand new tent is shining like a diamond to the evening sun in Fredrikstad. A magic moment for a circus veteran. Absolutely fantastic! I never thought I should experience this again. Looking forward for tomorrow when my grandchildren Kevin and Mathias arrive. They have never seen a real circus before, unbelievable it will be grandfathers Cirkus Merano.”
In the performance you will meet the following artists:
Tonita Alexis, also known as Clown Tonito. He is born in 1992 in Düren, Germany and is son of the clown Toni Alexis and brother of the clown Totti Alexis. Tonito Alexsis shares both the ring and life with Stefania Jarz, who also is part of this year's Merano performance.
The tightwire acrobat Nicol Nicols, who in addition to performing on a tight trope present a crossbow act together with his wife
Kimberly. Nicol Nicols toured Denmark in 2007 with Circus Dannebrog. In 2016, he toured Sweden with the Circus Brazil Jack.
Kimberly Zavatta present an act in aerial straps in addition to the crossbow act. For her act, she received a bronze medal in the New Generation category in Monte Carlo in 2023.
Darwin Pellegrini comes from Italy and is a tempo juggler. He juggles, among other things, with "cigar boxes" with lights in them.
Stefania Jarz is a foot juggler. In addition to this act, she presents a quick change act together with her partner Tonito Alexis.
Mike Sanger's dog show is a comic dog act. Mike Freeman Sanger is one of the veterans of the circus world. His act is inspired by the act Old Regnas, which his father Patrick Freeman presented and which his older brother Peter Freeman took over after his father's death. Mike Sanger performed at Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens in 1998. In 2010, he presented his comic dog act at the Open-Air Stage in the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen in connection with Benny Schumann's clown show, just as he was part of Benny Schumann's winter performance in Elsinore Shopping Mall in 2011. In 2012, he toured with the Swedish Circus Maximum. Mike Sanger is assisted by his wife Pascale.
In 2007, Mike
Sanger published the book Two Dogs, a Donkey and a Frenchwoman: The Life, Legacy
and Adventures of a Traveling Canine Comedy Act about his life in the circus
world
Duo Lugo presents a laser show. Circus Merano writes that it is the first time such an act has been seen in Norway.
2 March 2025
Obituary: Björn Gammals. The Grand Old Man of Finnish juggling Björn Gammals, who performed under the artist name Henrico, has passed away at the age of 89. In addition to performing as a juggler, he was for many years PR manager for the large Finnish Circus Finlandia, where he was both the practical person outside the ring and stood in the ring and showed his skills as a master juggler. Björn Gammals was also a passionate collector.
In Denmark, Henrico and his then partner and wife Briitta could be seen on the variety show Lorry August 1953. In Norway, he has performed in Circus Löwe and in Sweden in Circus Ray Miller. In addition, he performed from 1951 and many years later on variety shows etc. across most of Europe and participated in several television programs.
Henrico in front of part of his collection
Henrico.
Photo from Circus Ray
Miller's 1971 program