Circus news
from 2007
28 December
2007
In 2007 8 tented circuses toured Denmark
from late March/early April. 3 large circuses: Circus
Arena, Circus Benneweis and Circus Dannebrog and 5 dog and pony-shows (what
Americans call high grass circuses): Circus Arli, Circus
Baldoni, Circus Charlie, Circus Krone (Irene Thierry’s circus using the same name
as the mighty German Circus Krone) and Circus
Mascot. All of the Danish circuses offered performances of high quality. Even the
small circuses had some foreign performers of good quality.
The summer was plagued by rain and
floods and will not go down in history as the most successful for most Danish circuses.
Circus Charlie closed its season on 18 June however continuing during part of the summer
in a much reduced format with only a few artists performing at camping lots. The other
circuses closed their season in September which is standard in a northern country as Denmark.
Subscribers to the excellent English Circus Magazine King Pole can read a review by Don
Stacey of the performances in Benneweis, Dannebrog and Arena in number 166 from December
2007.
In Jutland Luffe Bögh assisted by Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys
from April to September presented Circus No Name in the Team LA Park in
Solbjerg.
20 May was opening night for Zirkus Nemo, owned by the Danish actor and
comedian Soren Ostergaard. Zirkus Nemo was a
travelling variety-show. Apart from Soren Ostergaard you met some good circus artist in
the performance. Zirkus Nemo toured until September.
Some youth organisation produced
circus-performances with kids as performers, using names as Circus Flik-Flak (the most established of the
youth circuses), Circus Arcus and Circus Tvaers.
Two German family circuses toured Denmark:
the tiny Circus Astoria was in Denmark a couple
of months in the autumn. The somewhat larger Circus
Renz Berlin spent the entire season in Denmark, touring Zealand from March to August
and Funen and Jutland in September and October, closing the season with a Christmas Circus
in Aalborg from 20 to 30 December. As far as I have been informed Circus Renz Berlin
intent to stay in Denmark in 2008. Almost all
acts are done by members of the Bernhard Renz family and their performance is certainly
not as strong as their Danish competitors’ performances. But using the “kid
free” sale gimmick they do attract some audience. None of the Danish circuses are
offering “kids free”.
Circus Baldoni presented in December a
Christmas circus at sport centres etc. at Zealand.
Below
you can find some photos and link to slideshows from some of the performances in 2007.
At
Circus Charlie things are red and blue.
The clown Red tells the audience that the red-painted seats
are the best seats and that there a most fun in the red-painted part of the ring. Try to
guess Blue’s opinion! Click here to see a slideshow from the performance
Alexia
Casselly riding the Courier on elephants in Circus Arena. Photo: Christian Warrer/Circus
Arena
Karl
Ferdinand Trunk and his ponies in the Benneweis ring. Clich here to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance
Errani's
elephants at Circus Dannerbrog. Click here to see more photos from the performance
Then plate
spinning juggler Zdenek in Circus Mascot’ ring. Click here to see more photos from the performance
Martin Arli
with the old concertina he last year got as a present from the old bike acrobats Leif
& Anna Conradi. Click here
to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance
Martin Maiböll at Circus Baldoni. Click
here to see a slideshow with more photos
Eva
Varadi (Circus Krone). Click here to see some more photos from the performance.
20 December
2007
Stars
in der manege
is a very popular German TV-show which the day after Christmas day for the last 45 years
have been broadcasted by German TV channel ARD. In the show you can met a number of
popular German actors, TV-hosts etc. trying their luck as circus stars. In addition you
can meet some professional circus artists. Among those are this year the Danish clown
Bonbon and his Finnish wife and partner Tiina, presenting their fantastic comical
badminton entrée. Other professional circus stars in the program which run for two hours
are Flying
Warriors (arial reck), White Crow (Russian bar, winner of a silver clown
in Monte Carlo this year), Stewe Rawlings
(comical entrée), Micha Usov (clown) and Dima Shine (equilibrist).
20
December 2007
No goats in Danish circuses. The dreadful cattle
plague Bluetongue has resulted in severe
restrictions for transport of goats and sheep in Denmark. In reality those restriction
will mean than a touring circus not can bring goats (or sheep) with them on their tour.
There have recently been a number of cases of Bluetongue in many countries in Europe including a single incident in October in Denmark.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 introduces the obligation for the Member States to
carry out bluetongue monitoring programmes in the restricted zones and surveillance
programmes outside the restricted zones. These programmes must include clinical,
serological and entomological components. Bluetongue (and the related Epizootic
Hemorrhagic Disease) are caused by Reoviruses that are transmitted by the insect vector
Culicoides varripennis and can infect cattle sheep, goats, and wild ruminants.
17 December
2007
From Paris Zarro Zarro writes: More
CHRISTMAS CIRCUS in Paris -- CIRQUE
MESSIDOR presents a thematic show NOEL EN RUSSIE/ CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA. CIRQUE MESSIDOR
comes every year to Paris for the X-mas season, the Big Top is located in the BOIS DE
BOULOGNE, the vast park intra muros in Paris. Formerly, other themes were exploited, we
saw X-mas in Lapland with Nordic folklore and reindeer, apparently flown in from Northern
Sweden. This year we were treated to CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA, featuring Russian X-mas music,
Russian folklore and good artists: acrobats, jugglers, clowns, horses and brown bears -
all in all very ---- Russian. The location in the Bois de Boulogne is somewhat awkward,
from the nearest Métro station Rue de la Pompe or Ranelagh, there is a 20 min' walk, and
signs provided by the circus are - all too often -pulled down by irresponsible persons.
CIRQUE MESSIDOR is well worth seeing - take down a note about it - for your next visit to Paris
!!!
THE LIDO family Christmas program 2007.
MARION AND HER BROKEN DOLL. A fairy tale in a fairy land ...the story is about a little
girl and her lost and broken doll -- and how she found it -- all mended and in good shape
- thus a HAPPY ENDING. A fantastic show, using the top-class, high-tech stage technique
including the aeroplane, the skating rink, the illuminated fountains and -- the superb LIDO
dancers. The story is built around five big Magic Illusions, well integrated in the plot
and thus playing an important part in the show.
An enjoyable
show for kids and parents alike -- highly recommended as an excellent family Christmas
entertainment !!! Read more at LIDO’s spectacular website http://www.lido.fr/us/cabaret-paris.html
From Lido’s show Marion. Photo by courtesy of Lido
16 December 2007
Circus owners Thessa and René
Moenster has every week-end in December presented Baldoni’s
Christmas Circus. Click here to see a slideshow from the performance.
16 December 2007
As mentioned on this page on 9
December 2007 The Swedish Circus Academy’s
honorary award ”the Charlie” was given to Bo Rönnberg at the gala dinner Saturday 8
December at the collectors fair at the Circus Arena winter quarter at Slagelse. Roy Himsel
of the Circus Academy has provide me with the
photos below. Further photos can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/Cirkus.dk/SamlerweekendISlagelse
Bo Rönnberg
with ”the Charlie”. To his right you can se the chairman of the Swedish Circus Academy
Roy Himsel
At the gala
dinner you could meet a number of Nordic Circus owners. From left you can see Bo Rönnberg
(Circus Skratt), Irene Thierry (Danish Circus Krone), Benny Berdino (Circus Arena), Ĺke
Skogh (Circus Wictoria) og Sřren Arli (Circus Arli).
11
December 2007
ECA EUROPEAN
CIRCUS ASSOCIATION had a
well-attended meeting in Paris, DEC 10, 2007, where we were cordially invited into the BIG
TOP of CIRQUE ARLETTE GRÜSS - very generous indeed, my Paris correspondent Zarro Zarro writes:
Director
ARIE OUDENES extended his welcome to all and then gave the floor to MICHEL LOUIS, director
of the ZOO in Amnéville, France. MICHEL LOUIS briefed us thoroughly on the animal
preservation initiatives carried out by this ZOO, and he suggested ways and means as to
how the circus world could contribute and back up on all this. He also suggested ideas as
to how zoos and circuses could co-operate in an efficient way.
ECA
REPRESENTATIVE in Brussels, LAURA VAN DER MEER, then gave an extensive and clear picture
of propositions concerning an ECA reglementation re: aninmal welfare, transport of animals
and their presence in the circus ring. She pointed out the extensive work that is being
done in Brussels to base reglementation on scientific evidence and not on emotional and
irresponsible outbursts from various activist groups.
Lunch
was offered by CIRQUE ARLETTE GRÜSS - on behalf of all, I would like to extend a BIG
THANK YOU!!
Member
of the ECA BOARD, ZSUZSANNA MATA, explained the idea behind the European Circus Day,
proposed for April 18. All were exhorted to participate and to produce ideas to make this
promotional campaign a success.
JACK
MERVIL, director for the Control and Verification Office /BVCTS/ re: big tops, tents and
similar structures, suggested that the circus might now be exempt from obligations to have
fire watchmen, since the modern tent canvas doesn't catch fire. Important savings could
thus be made. He advocated the instalment of a European Office in each country.
We
were all asked to continue supporting ECA and looking after the interest of the circus.
Info: www.europeancircus.info
10 December
2007
More CHRISTMAS CIRCUS IN PARIS --- THE GIANT CIRQUE PINDER. From Paris Zarro
Zarro writes:
Every year CIRQUE PINDER plants its
BIG TOP on the Pelouse de Reuilly in Paris, where DIRECTOR GILBERT EDELSTEIN, assisted by
his family and a big staff, presents a wonderful program, this year we had the pleasure to
see RINGMASTER FREDERIC COLNOT roll out this cast: GARY YAHN, UK, with trained exotic
animals - camels and zebras, XELO, super-champion with diabolo, THE BALDERS, funny clowns
and good musicians, LES MUNOZ with clever and well-trained sealions, TRIO LARUSS, acrobats in the style of living
statues, SCHMARLOVSKY, in a parody of a magician including funny small animals and - with
the lady's coat that transforms into a lot of ferrets !!!
TROUP BAETA, flying trapeze, with the
female partner performing in a triangular net as start of the act, SUSAN performing in
textile up in the air, SACHA HOUCKE presents Cirque Pinder's own, Indian elephants, GINA
GIOVANNI presents excellent hand-stand-acrobatics, THE JASTERS, knife-throwing and
shooting arrows from a crossbow towards the female partner.
FREDERIC EDELSTEIN is no doubt the
highlight of the show - alone in the central cage he confronts 16 lions and tigers in a
thus mixed group - unique worldwide. SOPHIE EDELSTEIN presents a MAGIC ACT, in the Las
Vegas style - together with, rather than assisted by, five excellent acrobatic male
dancers, she performs five amazing and stunning illusions.
Considering that the
CIRQUE PINDER stays for two months in Paris, with a BIG TOP holding 5000 persons, sold out
every day, plus an nine-month tour covering all of France - about two million people watch
a wonderful circus show with a startling MAGIC ACT as part of the program - this means
that the general audience get just what they want. GOOD,CLEAN and HEALTHY ENTERTAINMENT.
Se more at http://www.cirquepinder.com/
Photo by courtesy of Cirque Pinder
CIRCUS IN PARIS -- ALL THE YEAR AROUND
!!!!
Paris is - as far as I know -
the only European city where you can watch circus shows at any time of the year. CIRQUE
MORENO has already been covered -now I just saw CIRQUE
ALEXANDRA FRANCONI, OF THE WELL-KNOWN CIRCUS DYNASTY.
The main artist in the show is her
husband, CLOWN BOBOSS - a wonderful artist playing several instruments as well as being a
good juggler with ping pong balls.
The whole circus is manned by four
persons only: daughter STEPHANIE /aerial acts in ring and trapeze/, she also assists
BOBOSS in clown entrées which are rather original, always with a personal twist. This
year they have an Italian artist on the cast: fire juggling, cowboy act with lassos and
twirling the big cube, made of metal tubes, of Russian origin - I take it. The program is
presented in a four-mast big top, beautifully decorated for Christmas, the whole outfit is freshly painted and everything
is well kept. The program also holds ALEXANDRA with an act showing performing budgies,
STEPHANIE with performing ducks and aerial acts /as above/. If there is poetry in any
circus program, I trust that this is the case here - the entire presentation is .... just
about what dreams are made of!! Let's hope that CIRQUE ALEXANDRFA FRANCONI will ---- keep
going strong!!!! Read more at http://www.franconi.net/histoire/
CHRISTMAS CIRCUS in Paris - more info,
maybe of interest.
Cirque Phénix, Direction Pacherie,
presents the Beijing Circus, apparently the best of ....
Cirque Alexis Grüss and Cirque
Arlette Grüss are present with X-mas circus, write-up will follow later.
LA
VILLETTE Cultural Center, Paris, has now and then New Circus
performances.
A very cute little circus, ALIBORO,
has a pleasant show based on performing donkeys and clowning, interspaced with some
juggling and magic tricks. Unpretentious, sympathetic and - very appreciated. They often
play together with other arrangements, showtime 50 minutes - or so...
CIRQUE PINDER is constructing a theme
park outside Paris, named PINDERLAND.
On the circus theme, there will be a
big top holding 3000 persons, and a number of circus-related activities.
9 December 2007
The Swedish Circus Academy’s
honorary award ”the Charlie” to Bo Rönnberg. At the gala dinner Saturday 8
December at the collectors fair at the Circus Arena winter quarter at Slagelse the
president of the Swedish Circus Academy Roy Himsel awarded the Swedish Circus owner Bo
Rönnberg of Swedish Circus Skratt the Academy’s award the Charlie. Back in Bo
Rönnberg was manager of an advertising agency in Gothenburg, Sweden. In the autumn 1982
he arranged guest performances in Sweden by Danish Circus M Schumann. In 1984, 1985 and
1986 he arranged guest performances by Danish Circus Arena. Bo Rönnberg was in charge of
the ticket sale and had the full financial risk. Circus Arena’s owner Benny Berdino
was in charge of the performance which however was strengthened by adding some artist and
the Swedish entertainer Thore Skogman. For season 1984 and 1985 the name Circus Skogman
was used. From 1986 onwards Bon Rönnberg used the name Circus Skratt (Skratt is the
Swedish word for laughter). From 1987 to 1993 Bo Rönnberg cooperated with Haddy Enoch of
Circus Dannebrog, using the Dannebrog equipment and the Dannebrog artist when touring
Circus Skratt in then autumn. Since 1994 Benny Berdino of Circus Arena has been Bo
Rönnberg cooperation partner. Bo Rönnberg sells the tickets and has the financial risk,
renting the circus, tent and all, from Benny Berdino.
However, not as in 1984-1986 using equipment or acrobats from Circus Arena, but by using a
special Circus Skratt tent and engaging special performers for the Skratt performance.
8 December 2007
A slideshow with photos from the collectors fair (Tausch- und
Verkaufsbörse) at the Circus Arena winter
quarter on 8 and 9 December will be ready December 9 in the evening. Click here
to see the slideshow.
5 December
2007
Katja
Schumann to Circus
Dannebrog. Those who
are lucky enough before 1970 to have seen Circus Schumann in the Copenhagen Circus Building
will certainly remember two members of the younger generation: Katja Schumann, daughter of
Max and Vivi Schumann and her cousin Benny Schumann, son of Albert and Paulina Schumann.
Both were as the rest of the Schumann family outstanding horse trainers. When Max Schumann
in 1977 started his own tented Circus M. Schumann Katja was of great help both as
performer and in practical issues. I remember seeing her driving one of the circuses large
trucks. When Circus M. Schumann closed forever after season 1982 Katja went to the USA
where she until spring 2004 performed at New York’s Big
Apple Circus and was married to the managing director Paul Binder. From 2005 to 2007 Katja
has worked for Circus Flora in St. Louis, Missouri.
In
then autumn 2006 she toured Sweden with Robert Bronett’s horseshow Levade Noble Horse
Gala. She told me at that time that she wouldn’t mind once again to tour Denmark or
other countries in Europe for a season.
One
of the reasons for Katja now to join Circus Dannebrog for a season is the very good
relations her late father had with Circus Dannebrog. Max Schumann toured with Circus
Dannebrog from 1987 to 1992 and presented every of those years world class liberty horses.
Max Schumann passed away in 2004. 80 old Vivi Schumann does still live in Jutland, giving
Katja an opportunity to get closer to her mother (Katja is a family person) during her
season with Circus Dannebrog.
By
engaging Katja Schumann circus owner Haddy Enoch has got one of the world’s greatest
horse trainers. And the Danish audience will get the opportunity once again to see a
member of the famous Schumann dynasty in a Danish circus ring. Apart from Katja Schumann
Circus Dannebrog has for the 2008 season re-engaged the Errani-family with elephants,
juggling, antipodian act and hula hoop. Furthermore they are said to have engaged the
Balder clowns, Hans and Vicky Pedersen with their sealions and penguins, the Messoudi
family and Garcia’s arial rocket act. Members of the Enoch family themselves will
probably also present their famous bike act.
Katja
Schumann at Ushastik.
Photo: Roy Himsel
4 December 2007
X-MAS CIRCUS
IN PARIS ----- AND ELSEWHERE. Circus News from Zarro Zarro
The
Christmas season for circus is just starting up in Paris, a city where the TOWN HALL
proudly claims: Paris aime le cirque /Paris loves circus.
The
Italian circus IL CIRCO DI VENISE presents a nice and solid family program featuring
tigers, horses, high-school riding, camels, zebras and lamas - all in very attractive
settings where the animals perform only what is natural to them. There is also a very
comic act with a performing dog and the Director as partner-clown. The highlights of the
show, were - as far as I can see - a young girl, member of the family LANDRI, performing
on trapeze, aerial ring, textile and also, on the ground, a quick and slick Hula Hoop act.
The LANDRI family succeeds in putting together a quality show and travels with a Big Top
that holds about 800 people. All in all the show is well worth seeing.
IT
ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS - also shows
that you as a visiting tourist never get your eyes on. Here comes a short list with some suggestions:
There are
many small theatres in Paris, some of them present family-friendly programs on Wednesdays/
when French kids are free from school to attend sports activities or whatever/ and on
Saturdays and Sundays, always scheduled as afternoon performances.
You can find
these shows in L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES and PARISCOPE, the latter has info also in
English, but with a minimum of school-French you will be able to find your way in
L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES, both publications are sold at newspaper-stalls.
Theatre
COMEDIE DE LA PASSERELLE features MAGICIAN PATRICK BIEQUES, who presents a nice and
pleasant MAGIC SHOW - original, humorous and full of surprises, involving the kids and
their parents in the show. Read more: www.patrickbieques.com
Address of
theatre COMEDIE DE LA PASSERELLE: 102, rue Orfila, Métro Gambetta.
THEATRE
CLAVEL, 3 rue de Clavel, Métro Pyrénées, features CARMELO CACCITO with partner CRIMET
in two different shows:
PARIS
PALERME, telling the story of a journey between these two cities and LA COMEDIE MAGIQUE --
a nice and pleasant comedy based on classical magic effects but presented and concocted in
a new and original way.
Both artists
being actors and mimes as well as magicians -- gives them the possibility to create a great,
funny and pleasant show and having success in front of any audience.
This
magazine sees to the interests of circus-lovers, and this being so - I do think that the
above-mentioned shows will be equally appreciated.
Try your way
around in Paris and GOOD LUCK!!! ZARRO ZARRO.
IT ALL HAPPENS
IN PARIS - CIRQUE JEAN RICHARD AS CHRISTMAS CIRCUS.
Paris
has a great tradition for X-mas circus - The CIRQUE PINDER DIRECTOR GILBERT EDELSTEIN
brings the Dutch national circus HERMANN RENZ to Nanterre, a Parisian suburb, and he does
so every year.
ROBERT
RONDAY GOLDSTEIN together with CHRISTOPHE ROUSSELEAU takes care of the general management
and artistic setting, thus creating a great program:
MILKO
STEIJVERS, equally managing many of the circus' activities, performs in various clown
entrées together with BRUNO and FRENKY. SIMONA AND ELENA present juggling and acrobatics
in a high tempo, TAMARA is an aerial antipodist on trinka and suspended to a wire, very
original indeed, MICHEL JARZ has an elegant act with horses, THE FALTING FAMILY perform
stunning tricks on various bikes, MILKO is also a solo clown with great success, PEDRO AND TATJANA
are adacious aerial acrobats on trapeze, STEVEN PEDERSEN, assisted by wife and daughter
features very well-trained and funny sealions, and a couple of penguins as well, TAMARA
reappears in an original aerial act, "caught in a net", - CLOWN FRENKY lets
loose his hilarious trained geese causing roaring laughter, - TOM DIECK JUNIOR, rewarded
in Monte Carlo, presents three male lions and two female ones, PEDRO CARRILO TRIO, two
young men and a young girl walk the high-wire, we noted a backwards salto, seldom seen on
a high-wire, - SIMONA is a gracious contortionist and EMIL has a balance act on ladder,
very sure, quick and slick.
A band, eight musicians, not named in
the printed program accompanied the show - live music IS important!!! When we add a
"barriére" of ten circus hands - and an elegantly decorated BIG TOP, we have -
all in all -a very pleasant and high class circus performance. On behalf of an enchanted
audience - I would like to convey a BIG THANK YOU to Gilbert Edelstein and Robert Ronday
Goldstein!!! - ZARRO ZARRO.
3 December 2007
ECA-meeting at Paris. European Circus Association
will have a meeting at Circus Arlette Gruss in Paris on 10 December. At the agenda is:
Circuses and Zoos – Mr.Michel
Louis – director of Parc Zoologique d'Amnéville. Conservation work undertaken by the
zoo and suggestions for the contributions that could be made by the circus community. How
can the circus and zoo communities collaborate more effectively.
ECA Proposed Model Regulation for the
Care, Transport, and Presentation of Animals in the Circus – Laura van der Meer
– Brussels representative ECA
A European Circus Day – Zsuzsanna
Mata – executive board member ECA
Central verification offices for
Circus tents in all European countries? - Jack
Mervil - director of the French ‘Bureau de Vérification des chapiteaux tentes et
structures’.
3 December 2007
New tent for Circus Renz Berlin. When the German Circus
Renz Berlin on 20 December invites the audience to Christmas Circus at Skalborg at Aalborg
they plan to use an almost new tent with a diameter of 36 meter and with no quarter poles.
As far as I know the German family circus intent to winter in Denmark and to start their
2008-season by touring Jutland.
1
December 2007
Christmas
circuses in Denmark. Denmark
has no tradition for circuses performing at Christmas time. However, in 2006 both Danish Circus Baldoni and the German family Circus Renz Berlin presented Christmas Circus
performances in Copenhagen. Both circuses will this year again present a Christmas circus:
Circus Baldoni in a number of cities on Falster and Zealand and Circus Renz Berlin in
Aalborg in Jutland. The Baldoni performance will be opened by Santa Claus, introducing the
Christmas elfs Nis and Nisseline who sings, dances and make a lot of fun. The Christmas
pig Anton Antonius (a ventriloquist doll) will tease everyone and talk the hind leg of a
donkey. Acrobat elfs, juggling elfs, magician elfs, funny dogs and a lot of other
Christmas elfs will enter the ring accompanied by sweet Christmas Music proving that it
now once again is Christmas time. Behind the elf costumes you will find international top
artist: the rola bola artist and jugglers Anna
& Anton from St. Petersburg, then plate spinning jugglers Barbi Family from Latvia, The Raymond’s foot jugglers and dog act, the
Swedish acrobat David Hammerberg and the
magicians the Baldoni´s. Apart from Baldoni’s Christmas
Circus circus owners Thessa & René Moenster tour with Circus Nissesjov which offers an 45 minutes long
performances for kids from 3 to 12 and all other childlike Christmas loving persons.
At
the performance in Circus Renz Berlin you can meet the clowns Charlie and Bimpo, Miss Amara
with hula hoop and foot juggling, the juggler Adriano, who also present liberty horses, the wild west
acrobats Eldorados, ponies presented by Frants Renz Jr. Miss Scarlett in roman rings, Miss Ronja presenting hand stand acrobatic and Leika and Mara assisted by Frants Renz presenting
the Renz elephants. All or most or the performers are members of the Renz family.
1 December 2007
Weekend for collectors of circus posters, programmes
etc. What in German is called a Tausch- und
Verkaufsbörse is scheduled for 8 and 9 December at the winter quarter at Aarslev
close to Slagelse of Danish Circus Arena. Slagelse is approximately one hour by car from Copenhagen.
The week-end is arranged by two Circus Magazines: the German Circus Journal and the Swedish Circuläre Notiser in cooperation with Circus Arena, being the largest circus in the
Nordic countries. Hopefully a lot of circus friends from Denmark, the southern part of Sweden
and the northern part of Germany will visit the fair which will open on Saturday at 12
noon. However, visitors are welcomed from 10 a.m. Apart from possibilities for purchase,
sale and exchange of collectors items such as posters, programmes, films etc. the Arena
winter quarter can bee seen, including the stables, the training ring (there will be a
display of training), the performing sealions, the Arena museum etc. Benny Berdino will
present his newly acquired African elephant – Benny has for many years dreamed about
getting his own elephants. His daughter Suzanne Berdino will tell about her new book on
horse training and give examples of such training. There will be a photo exhibition with
circus photos taken by Roy Himsel and his daughter Linda. Father and daughter are among
the best circus photographers in Europe. Also the Danish photographers Lise Kokholm and Kenneth
Severinsen will display some of their photos. Saturday evening circus owner Benny Berdino
will host a gala dinner for special invited guests. If
you have a GPS: the address is Aarslevvej 6, Slagelse, Denmark.
30 November 2007
Exhibition of Nelly Jane Benneweis’
portraits of clown. After her retirement former Circus
Benneweis ringmistress and press agent Nelly Jane Benneweis started to make drawings of
the white faced clown. She created a beautiful 2006 poster for the Circus Museum at
Hvirovre, Copenhagen. From 30 November 2007 to 4 January a number of her beautiful
drawings can be seen at the Art Gallery Bastillen at Frederiksberg, Copenhagen.
Nelly Jane
Benneweis sitting
next to her drawing of Matini Llata of the Spanish Rudi Llata family. Matini Llata worked
for Circus Benneweis in 1976.
Nelly Jane
and Pia Ville. Pia Ville is one ot those who a couple of years ago persuaded Nelly Jane to
take up again making drawing – something the young Nelly liked to do before she
started her carrier as dancer and ringmistress.
28
November 2007
English report on animals in circuses. ECA writes:
The
Report of the Chairman of a Circus Working Group established more than a year ago to
assess scientific evidence concerning circus animal welfare was released on 20 November. This Report includes the unanimous findings of a
panel of academic and practicing experts, nominated by both the circus industry and
activist organizations, which agreed that:
“Whilst
it was accepted that animals kept in circuses were more confined than in the wild the
opinion of most of the Panel was that this did not, necessarily, lead to adverse
welfare.” Para. 5.3.4.
“[A]lthough
circus animals are transported regularly, there is no evidence that this, of its own
nature, causes the animals’ welfare to be adversely affected.” Para. 5.4.3.
“[T]here
is little evidence that the health of circus animals is any better or worse than animals
in other captive environments.” Para.
5.6.2
The
remit of the Circus Working Group was to consider scientific evidence to carry out the
Government’s commitment to ban species of animals whose welfare needs could not be
met in a travelling circus environment. The
Panel of Experts concluded that the evidence was insufficient to justify a ban of any
species presented in U.K. circuses (currently including elephants, tigers, lions, camels,
zebras, reindeer, llamas, snakes, kangaroo, and crocodiles).
The
Circus Working Group Chairman, a professor of law, concluded that, given the lack of
scientific evidence, any ban brought forward by the Government under existing legal
authority would be vulnerable to legal challenge.
While
proposals for a law to ban animals in circuses may still be brought forward in the
Parliament as new legislation, the Chairman describes a path forward in which the
Government could establish regulations for circus animals to provide greater certainty for
the circus community and to respond to critics’ concerns by creating more
transparency and accountability. Both
the U.K. zoo licensing act and the ECA’s Model Regulations are identified as possible
sources of the content of such regulations.
The
report can be downloaded from DEFRA’s
website. (Defra: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs).
9 November
2007
Last
performance for Duo Pelmeni. Two of the
best and most successful Danish new circus artist Josephine Wulff Randrup & Rasmus
Aitouganov has for many years been known as Duo Pelmeni. They could be seen in the Stockholm
version of the ABBA musical Chess and most recently in the Royal Bones performance Fusk
(based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet). However, Rasmus has now started as a full-time
instructor at the Copenhagen Circus School AFUK and will due to this stop his carrier as
an international performer. The very last performance given by Due Pelmeni could be seen
today in connection with a reception given by AFUK in order to celebrate the AFUK manager
AnneSophie Bergmann Steen’s 50 year birthday and that the City of Copenhagen have
granted 25 million DKK to AFUK for rebuilding of an old tram depot to training facilities
for the AFUK students.
Duo Pelmeni.
Photo fro AnneSophie Bergmann Steen’ new circus performance Roundabout in December
2005
4 November
2007
Christmas
Circus in Sweden. The Swedish
singer and band leader Robert Wells and his
namesake Robert Bronett will from 26 December
2007 to 5 January 2008 present the performance Rhapsody
in Circus in Stockholm and Gothenburg in a tent seating 4,300 persons.
The
Swedish pianist, composer and singer Robert Wells are well-known in Sweden for his musical
show Rhapsody in Rock. Robert Bronett is known as former co-owner of Circus Scott and the
man behind the horseshow Levade.
In the
Christmas performance you can meet the arial and handstand acrobats Duo Imago (Etienne Deneault and Darren Bersuk) who
for several years worked for Cirque du Soliel. Velez
Brothers comes from Ecuador. The will perform on high wire (the act was awarded a
silver clown in Monte Carlo in 2005) and in a wheel of death. A troupe from China will
present mast acrobatics. The troupe has also been invited to present their act at the
Circus Festival in Monte Carlo in January 2008. A 15 person acrobat troupe On the Edge comes from Ukraine and is especially
created for Rhapsody in Circus. Also from Ukraine comes the contortionist Opium. Least, but not last, you will meet the
clown Francesco. The performance is not just
acrobatics but also music. Rhapsody Symphony
Orchestra was established by Robert Wells in 2002. The same goes for the song trio Vocalettes singing in the Andrew sister style. Read more at http://www.rhapsodyincircus.se/
Robert
Bronett and Robert Wells
2
November 2007
AnneSophie
Bergmann Steen can celebrate her 50 years birthday on 9th November. AnneSophie
Bergmann Steen is the Danish/Swedish manager of the Danish Academy for untamed Creativity
(AFUK) which is running the Danish circus and acrobat school. AnneSophie Bergmann Steen is
one of the promoters or “founding fathers” of the Academy. In 1998 she staged
and directed the first Danish new circus performance. In 2001 and 2005 she created to
other new circus performances Apropos and Roundabout. On 9th November she can
celebrate her 50 years birthday. A reception from 15 to 17 will be held at AFUK’s new
premises at Remiserne, Enghavevej 82 B, Copenhagen.
AnneSophie
Bergmann Steen
1 November 2007
Christmas Circus at Rold
A Christmas circus performance can in
December be seen in riding-school
in Rold builded in 1912 to Circus Miehe. The riding-school is situated next to the Circus Museum
at Rold. It will be a traditional circus performance with a lot of animals and clowns from
Circus No Name. After the circus performance a three course dinner will be served at then
Old Inn in Rold.
Ticket ordering at + 45 98 56 17 00.
1 November 2007
Danish stars in the ring. Stars
in der manege are
the name of a yearly gala performance shot for TV at the Krone Building in Munich. In
German the show is presented like this: “Die
große Eurovisionsgala des Bayerischen Rundfunks ist längst eine lieb gewonnene
Tradition, die alle Jahre wieder Millionen Menschen vor die Bildschirme lockt: Seit 45
Jahren strahlt der Bayerische Rundfunk am 2.Weihnachtsfeiertag die Eurovisionsgala
"Stars in der Manege" aus. Gemeinsam mit Weltklasseartisten sind Stars aus
Bühne, Film, Fernsehen und Sport mit überraschenden Künsten zu bewundern. Sie funkeln
wie Sterne unter der Circuskuppel und verzaubern die Zuschauer in einer rauschenden Nacht
im Circusrund. Lassen Sie sich verführen! Zu sehen sind diese Super-Leistungen von Stars
und Promis am 26.Dezember 2007, um 20.15 Uhr im Ersten.”
This
year a Danish/Finnish couple is amongst the stars: the clown Bonbon and his wife and partner Tiina. They will present their famous comical
badminton entrée.
30 October
2007
CIRCUS IN PARIS
-- by ZARRO ZARRO. In the
winter season 2006/2007 the Swedish magician Zarro Zarro who for many years have been
living in Paris send me a number of reports from circuses etc. in Paris. Many readers
appreciated those reports. Due to this I have persuades Zarro Zarro to also in the winter
season 2006/2007 to provide me with such reports. Here comes the first report of no less
than 4 great performances:
The
big CIRQUE AMAR is touring all the year
around with a pleasant and family-friendly program:
JOHN
FALCK with his Siberian tigers and 2 African elephants, one is a male.
LOS
EMILIANOS - crazy taxi.
ANDRE
FALCK - horses in liberty.
LOS
DIORIOS - wheel of death and Death Globe, where the 3 of them are racing around inside the
globe.
THE
NERY FAMILY - Magic Act in Las Vegas style and the clown entrée THE HAUNTED CASTLE. Very
funny and propped up by brass music which makes the big top swing!
CRISTINA
ROY - aerial act in textile, like the vertical rope.
LES
GASPARDS - ROLA ROLA with a comical touch.
ANOUCHKA
BOUGLIONE - hula hoop and feminine beauty.
The
entire installation is freshly painted and elegantly illuminated after nightfall.
A
brief historic survey: The young AHMED BEN AMAR EL GAID left his native Kabylia, North
Africa, to take a belly-dancer show on the road. He produced this show at the MOULIN ROUGE with great success, married MARIE BONNEFOUX and
developed a circus show with wild animals. Their three sons, AHMED, ABDELAH and MUSTAPHA
continued the shows and toured North Africa, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania,
Hungary, Austria, Italy - and back to France. Today, the circus is run by the FALCK, a
well-known circus family. Further info at www.cirque-amar.com
NEW CIRCUS
CIRCO AEREO had a show
at the Finnish Cultural Centre/Institute Finlandais, performing juggling, modern dance and
music played on electric guitar and bass - respectively by MAKSIM KOMARO, SANNA
SILVENNOINEN and MARKUS LAHTINEN. The juggler showed a high degree of skill, juggling
white balls and orange plastic buckets, the female dancer was graceful and well trained
and the musician followed their movements very accurately. A lot of juggling was
performed, to my mind it eventually became too long for the audience, since people's
attention span is rather short today.
The
artists were all very sympathetic, the public was pleased and there were three curtain
calls. It is questionable, though, if this show can hold the children's interest, it was
meant for kids as of 5 years old. I quote Mr EDELSTEIN, director of the CIRQUE PINDER, who
says: the New Circus would do well in finding a new name, more fitting to this kind of
show. I agree.
From the
performance in Circo Aereo. Photo by courtesy of Circo Aereo
LE CIRQUE DU
GRAND CELESTE. This
circus is an absolute MUST for any circus-lover - a dark blue top seating about 800
persons, no sawdust but a round, wooden floor on which very good artists perform: various
kinds of acrobatic acts, aerial act on rope and textile, jugglers, particularly a young,
excellent diabolo-player, cyclists on low unicycles and on giraffe, magic effects are put
in here and there - there are lots of laughter and surprises throughout the show.
The
CIRQUE DU GRAND CELESTE is developing: in partnership with the local Town Hall it will
move to a better place nearby, but still at LA PORTE DES LILAS, Métro same name.
Leisure
activities will there take place: circus workshops and a circus scool - these activities
are presented as leisure time opportunities, the young ones are thus clearly informed that
no professional career is waiting in the pipe-line for them. In connection with the show,
there is a restaurant and a bar where people can dine, wine and meet each other.
You'll
find out about the CIRQUE DU GRAND CELESTE by looking in the publication L'OFFICIEL DES
SPECTACLES, 0.35 Euro at all newspaper stalls, look under headline "cirque".
Further info at http://www.grandceleste.com/
From the
performance in CIRQUE DU GRAND CELESTE. Photo by courtesy of CIRQUE DU GRAND CELESTE.
CIRQUE
BOUGLIONE. Now
playing in the newly refurbished CIRQUE D'HIVER: CIRQUE
BOUGLIONE, presenting a wonderful program:
REGINA
BOUGLIONE with an animal farm-act: goats, pigs, dogs and a pony - excellent for a family
audience.
HOUSH-MA-HOUSH, Ukraine,
excellent, funny and original clown.
DUO
URUNOV, Russia, high school riding and horsemanship.
DUO
PASSION, France, aerial act in a poetical mood.
DIANA
RHODIN, Sweden /not mentioned by her name in the program, presenting the big, African male
elephant MICKI.
ROBIN
VALENCIA, US, the living cannon projectile - a seldom seen stunt.
MARIOU
BEROUSEK, Czech Republic, tempo juggler /seen at Circus Benneweis season -07/.
MICHAEL
AND VENKO, Bulgaria, the Wheel of Death.
IRINA
BOUGLIONE, aerial act in ring with finale in water-basin.
DE
DALIAN, China, 7 beautiful young girls performing on two-wheel-bikes - very elegant and
original.
LES
CURATOLA BROTHERS, Italy, hand to hand acrobats with seldom seen skill /seen at Circus
Dannebrog season -07./
And
- on top of it all: TOTO CHABRI with partners, as funny and original as ever - a real
pleasure to see this excellent clowning again !!! SERGIO is Sprechstallmeister/
Ringmaster/ in France called Monsieur LOYAL, assisted by ALBERTO CAROLI, Italy. An
excellent band /no name in the program/ accompanied the show and the house ballet SALTO
DANCERS had several entrances in perfect rhythm. A show that should be seen by all! Further info at http://www.cirquedhiver.com/bouglione.html
A drawing of
Toto Chabri can be seen at the poster for this winters performance at Cirque d’Hiver.
Photo by courtesy of CIRQUE BOUGLIONE.
26
October 2007
Circus at Bytorv Horsens. The shopping centre
Bytorv Horsens at Horsens can celebrate its 1 year’s anniversary in week 44. To
celebrate the anniversary the shopping mall has engaged Circus Mascot which every day from
29 October to 4 November will give performances in the centre as free attraction.
Amongst
the performers in Circus Mascot is Daniel Deleuran, who on 26 October could celebrate his
18 years birthday. Congratulations to the talented young acrobat.
24
October 2007
The
main attraction in Landauer Christmas Circus
2007/08 is two Danes: the gentleman thief couple JOAN & KENNY QUINN. You
can see posters with Kenny Quinn’s photo all over Landau and get flyers with Kenny
Quinn and some of the other star performers. Amongst those are
* The musical clowns Salvini (Gino
and Paulina Salvini), who in the summer season has toured with Circus Nock in Switzerland.
* John Burke
with his Blues Bros. sealion act
* Circus owner Urs Strasser
from Circus Medrano in Switzerland with horses
* A tight wire act and several other acts
Everything
can be seen in Landauer Christmas Circus 2007/08 from 21 December to 6 January 2008. The
performance is every year shot by the German TV channel SWR which in the beginning of the
New Year will broadcast a shortened version of the performance.
The
city of Landau is situated in the southern part of Rheinland-Pfalz close to the
German/French border. It is a University town which on 1 October 2007 had 43,193
inhabitants.
Kenny
and Joan Quinn has made an appointment prior to the opening night with the local police
head office teaching cops how a professional pick pocket thief works. You can read more
about Landauer Christmas Circus at http://www.landauer-weihnachtscircus.info/index.html
24
October 2007
Circus
Baldoni's Christmas Circus. Danish
Circus Baldoni writes: The performance will be opened by Santa Claus, introducing the
Christmas elfs Nis and Nisseline who sings, dances and make a lot of fun. The Christmas
pig Anton Antonius (a ventriloquist doll) will tease everyone and talk the hind leg of a
donkey. Acrobat elfs, juggling elfs, magician elfs, funny dogs and a lot of other
Christmas elfs will enter the ring accompanied by sweet Christmas Music proving that it
now once again is Christmas time. Behind the elf costumes you will find international top
artist: the rola bola artist and jugglers Anna
& Anton from St. Petersburg, then plate spinning jugglers Barbi Family from Latvia, The Raymond’s foot jugglers and dog act, the
Swedish acrobat David Hammerberg and the
magicians the Baldoni´s.
The
Barbi family has been with Circus Baldoni since 2002. Swedish David Hammerberg
Is
born New Delhi 1987 and came to Sweden when he was 7 months. He lives in Gävle.
Education: 6 years in Furuviks Youth Circus and 3 years at Circus Highschool in Gävle.
(Graduated 2006). Prizes: A lot of gold, silver and bronze medals. Two of the silver
medals are from the Swedish championships in team gymnastic (2005, 2006). He also got a
prize at the Kupla Circus Festival in Finland 2004. In the summer 2007 he toured whit
Swedish Circus Wictoria, presenting a fine trapeze act and a very good handstand act. You
can read more about David (also in English) at http://www.flyingdavid.com/om_mig.html
David
Hammerberg
The
performance in Baldoni’s Christmas Circus will last for 2 hours. Opening night is 30
November in Greve (Copenhagen suburb). After the opening performance the show can be seen
at various sports centres etc. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.
Apart
from Baldoni’s Christmas Circus circus owners Thessa & René Moenster will in
week 47-51 tour with Circus Nissesjov which
offers an 45 minutes long performances for kids from 3 to 12 and all other childlike
Christmas loving persons.
24
October 2007
Roskilde
Christmas Circus – but this year only as ”rent
i event”. Luka Odhiambo Onginjo better known as the African multiacrobat Samson produced last year a Christmas Circus in Roskilde,
where he lives with his Danish wife and the couples two children: Rebecca of two and Casper
of 12. The 2006 performance was good, but the audience very limited. Due to this Samson
who runs the agency Power Events has from 1 November to 31 December this year decided to
offer a Christmas performance as a”rent i event” to companies and private
persons willing to purchase an entire performance. Samson tells:
“In this year’s show we have
new artists in the production. The name of the show is XMAS- SUPRISE 2007. The performing artists are: Manasei, sword, glass, and football balance.
Feuer-show, magic-Show and Power-show with Samson
power. Dogs and Leider comedy from THE ROOTS.
The act is two years old. The Roots come from Holland, but live in Switzerland. They are
very good and they trill the public with there funny choreography. Janny from Berlin is doing antipode, bell dance
& trapez. Kalombau is a music comedy trio
as clowns. They just make the public laugh because of there stunts. We can get camels and
ponies from Germany on request of the company renting the show.
The show is presented in a tent
wherever the company purchasing the performance likes it or on locations we use. We are
flexible to move the show anywhere in Denmark or the southern part of Sweden.”
You can find further informations
about the show and Power Events at http://www.power-events.dk/
22
October 2007
Success for Circus Arena at Greenland and the Faroe
Islands. Martin Arli who was one of the performers at Circus Arenas tour to Greenland
and the Faroe Island tells that the tour was very successful with large audiences,
especially at the Faroe Island where Circus Arena sold more tickets than ever before
despite the fact that another circus (Circus Baldoni) visited the Faroe Island two weeks
before Circus Arena. It has for many years been a tradition for Circus Arena to tour
Greenland and the Faroe Islands with a special unit after the close of the Danish summer
season.
19
October 2007
Circus
performances during the autumn holidays. As
earlier mentioned at this page week 42 is holiday week for the Danish
school children. Due to this several shopping malls etc. have short circus performance as
free attractions: Frederiksbergcentret
in Copenhagen, Hvidovre Stationscenter close to Copenhagen, Kolding Storcenter, Naestved
Storcenter, Rosengaardcentret in Odense and the West Zealand Centre in Slagelse. I managed
to see three of those performances: Benny Schumann’s performance at the
Frederiksbergcentret, Circus Kenny at Rosengaardcentret and Circus Mascot at the West
Zealand Centre. Three fine performances attracting large audiences and proving that such
sort of family entertainment are popular and bring a lot of customers to the shopping
centres. At Frederiksbergcentret we met Benny Schumann with several of his well-known and
loved entrées: as balancing acrobat, as magician (assisted by the pony Laban), as
ventriloquist and the restaurant entrée with the pony Shadow. Next act was Florin with
his dog Cato. Impressive, at Cato has
trained his master (or is it the other way round?). Last act in the performance was Benny
Schumann with his dancing plates. In his younger days Benny was among the very best plate
spinning jugglers. And he can still present the act better than most of his younger
colleagues. At Circus Kenny in Odense’s
Rosengaadcenter ringmistress Agnete Louise Enoch
could introduce the Spanish Munos-family with a
nice comedy tight wire act (papa Munos, followed by one his sons in a usual tight wire
act, including a backwards somersault) and the son Erik
Andrea who is a skilled and very fast juggler. The German Duo Posna
presented their charming dog act. Most applause was for good reasons given to two Danes:
the gentleman thief Kenny Quinn and his partner
Joan. Certainly what Americans would call a centre ring attraction. At Circus Mascot in the West Zealand Centre you met
the Danish clown Don Carlos with a number of
fine entrées, Marianne Deleuran and her skilfully trained dogs and Daniel Deleuran as
talented juggler and as cleaning boy, assisted by the dog Davinci. Click
here to see a slideshows with photos from three performances.
At the
Frederiksbergcentret you could meet Benny Schumann and his dancing plates
Kenny Quinn
in action at Circus Kenny. As you can see the client’s belt is almost untied. Of
cause Kenny managed to steal the belt, the wristwatch and the valet without the client
noticing is. Luckily enough Kenny is an honest thief always giving the stolen effects
back.
At Circus
Mascot in the West Zealand Centre you could amongst other meet the clown Don Carlos
12 October
2007
A lot of
circus performances during the autumn holidays. In week 42
all schoolchildren in Denmark are having their autumn holiday. Due to this several
shopping malls etc. have short circus performance as free attractions. You can find
further info in the What's
on
10 October
2007
A successful
trip to the Faroe Island for Circus Baldoni. ”I am
back after a great trip to the Faroe Island,” René Moenster of Circus Baldoni
writes. He continues:”Our visit to the Faroe Island was very successful with at large
audience and two capacity houses in the capital Torshavn. Especially the African tumblers
Mombasa Boys was popular amongst the people on the Faroe Island. The acrobats had almost
the same status as rock stars with the audience screaming, wolf whistling and shouting
with joy.
Martin
Maiböll (Texas Jack) and Franck Bech stayed at the Faroe Islands until Thursday as they
was going back by boat together with our equipment. The were lucky enough to get through
Bill Clinton’s body guards and have their photo take together with the former
president of the United States. It was even a body guard who took the photo. Probably Bill
Clinton was amazed seeing Martin's large cowboy hat.”
Martin
”Texas Jack” Maiböll, Bill Clinton and Frank Bech
Former US
President Bill Clinton and the chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission,
Hans Blix from Sweden spoke at a business conference about globalization in the Faroe
Islands’ capital Torshavn on 1 October.
René
Moenster tells that 2007 have been Circus Baldoni’s best season so far. Circus
Baldoni
was established by René in 1998 under the name Cirkusteatret Aloe ("The circus
theatre”). In 2002 René Moenster changed concept to a more traditional show touring
under the name Circus Baldoni.
Late
November Thessa and
René Moenster will start touring sports centres etc. with Baldoni´s Christmas Circus.
8 October 2007
EUROPEAN
CIRCUS ASSOCIATION COVERS THE WORLD. (Press release). The
European Circus Association will be out and about over the next months, taking part in
circus Festivals and holding open meetings to help and advise members and non-members.
On
Monday 22 October at the Latina Festival, members of the Ente Nationale Circhi will hear
an update of ECA activities and plans. That
same afternoon, ECA will host a general
discussion about organising a European Circus Day. The ECA will contribute to the
Colloquium in Wiesbaden on 2 and 3 November. Laci
Endresz from Britain’s Blackpool Tower Circus will be the keynote speaker as the
meeting discusses “Artistic Trends and Developments”.
On
14 November, the ECA will host an informal meeting at the Circus Victor Hugo Cardinali in Lisbon,
Portugal. The session aims to put us in touch
with Portuguese circus people, and we will also open contact with the Portuguese
Government regarding the regulation of circus animals. On 20 November, there will be a
similar presentation at the Nikulin Circus in Moscow.
Russian Federation circuses are invited, and the ECA will give details of
Western requirements concerning the training, care and transport of circus animals.
The
ECA will follow up last year’s successful Paris meeting with a further session in the
French capital, hosted this year by Cirque Arlette Gruss on 10 December. ECA will give details of its progress and its
ongoing work, and the meeting will enhance insight into the situation in France concerning
animals in the circus.
On
18 and 19 January next, the ECA continues its series of Symposia in connection with the
Monte Carlo Circus Festival. After a members’ Meeting on the morning of 18 January,
the 2008 Symposium will take place that afternoon. Confirmed speakers include Mr Bernard
Petiot, Vice-President of Cirque du Soleil for Casting and Performance, who will speak
about the international implications of casting of circus artists. The Circus Federation
of Australasia Inc will present information about the situation of circuses in Australia
and New Zealand. A number of others from the
international circus community also are invited to give an in-depth picture of the state
of circus around the world.
The
ECA’s programme of international meetings continues during the Budapest Circus
Festival in January 2008. The ECA will
organise a study meeting in cooperation with Maciva on Monday morning 28 January. The
central theme will be education in circuses. Attention will be given to the education of
circus children and the professional training of circus artists.
CIRCUS
PARTNERSHIP WORKS TO REDUCE BURDEN. (Press release). In
July 2007, the European Circus Association (ECA) established a partnership with the French
Association Syndicale des Propriétaires Exploitants Chapiteaux (ASPEC). Under the leadership of Président Jack
Mervil, ASPEC has been instrumental in demonstrating to French authorities that the
materials used for modern circus tents do not create a risk of fire; all circus tents are
now made of material that will neither burn nor melt.
This
development guarantees public safety to such an extent that the French authorities now
accept it is no longer necessary to have a fireman on standby, resulting in substantial
savings for French circuses. In cooperation with ECA, ASPEC now is working to set up new
‘verification offices’ in all European countries.
This work contributes to ECA’s long-held objective to unify safety
regulation of circuses in all European countries. According
to ECA Managing Director Arie Oudenes, “ECA is pleased to work with ASPEC, whose
status and influence provide us with a strong partner in working towards simpler and more
harmonious safety rules for circuses throughout the EU.”
ECA
Managing Director Arie Oudenes (standing to the right) with the President of ASPEC Mr.
Jack Mervil.
3 October 2007
Amazing Enoch Variety. Jorgen Lorenzen writes: Isabella Enoch’s dinner show was on 28
September booked by Bygteq It at Vejle. The red carpet was rolled out. A wonderful 3
course dinner was served and the show was very good indeed. The main thread was 5 dancers
and the entertainers and comedians Jens Hvitved
Larsen and Leon Norgaard. After the first
course Isabelle welcomed the audience, the ballet entered the stage and Jens Hvitved song
the welcome song from Cabaret. Josephine
(daughter of Bernhard Kaselowski) worked in trapeze and Jimmy Enoch did glass balancing on unicycle
– 15 layers! Then the bagpipe playing Simon Mikkelsen introduced the comical
casceadeurs Caden and Caden (members of the
Munoz family).
Jimmy Enoch – glass balancing
unicycle. Photo from performance in 2005. Photographer: Ronald Timmermann
After the main course Jens Hvitved had
a stand up comedian monolog, followed by the dancers and the juggler Eric Andrea (Munoz). Jimmy and Edward presented their excellent bike
act, followed by Isabella opening her hairdressing saloon, assisted by Bernhard Kaselowskis elephant. Then Jens Hvitved
and Leon Norgaard song a potpourri of Beatles-songs.
After the desert the gentleman thief Kenny Quinn entered the stage. It is impressive
what he unseen by his clients can get out of their pockets while stealing their
wristwatches and ties! The Joshi presented a cloudswing entrée and Eric Munoz did tight wire dancing until Jens
Hvitved finalised the show with the song: New York, New York. After the show there was
dance to a live band.
Josephine Kaselowski. Photo from
performance in 2005. Photographer: Ronald Timmermann'
2 October 2007
Weekend for collectors of circus posters, programmes
etc. As mentioned on this page on 21 September a large “Tausch- und Verkaufsbörse will be held at the
winter quarters of Circus Arena on 8 and 9 December. The week-end are be arranged by the
German Circus Journal (known for their many
colour photos mainly exteriors and transport of European circuses), the Swedish Circus Academy
and their magazine Circuläre Notiser in
cooperation with Circus Arena. Entry (anmeldung
bei) Roy Himsel at tel + 46 470-241 93 or + 46
70-699 89 44 or at email roy.himsel@telia.com
1 October 2007
Circus Arena
2007. Circus
Arena’s head of arrangements and presale Carsten Maersk and his team has always sold
a lot of tickets to companies etc. before the start of the season. This might be the
reason why Circus Arena by tradition in October releases the full program for the coming
season. Most other circuses prefer not to disclose their programme until one or two months
before the opening night. Most of the programme at Circus Arena in 2008 has been known for
a while as circus owner Benny Berdino see no
reason for keeping the names of the artists booked for a coming season as a secret. In a
newly released press release Benny Berdino writes:
Circus for
millions. In 2008 Circus Arena welcomes you in a brand new tent with excellent comfort for
the audience. For the ring I have chosen some of the best and most famous artists in the
world and I look forward to introduce them to the audience. Diorios globe of death has been with Arena in
earlier seasons. But this time the Brazilian dare devils will try to have 5 bikes in the
globe at the same time! I love the mystic of the Far East. From China comes 11 Shaolin monks and give a breathtaking
presentation of the thousand years old Asian martial arts. With spectacular stunts,
dramatic show effects and classic martial arts scenes we will get a colourful and
entertaining insight in a foreign world. For me animals and circus are indissoluble
connected. At our winter quarter at Slagelse we have a population of 45 horses, and during
the winter season we are goal-oriented training the many animals. From our own stables my
daughter Suzanne Berdino will present a
beautiful classical liberty act with 6 white Arabian horses. Arena Kids will after a further training winter
present new tricks on horseback. The Spanish juggler Picasso Junior has in short time been proclaimed
as on of the legends of the circus world. When you see him you will understand why. Out
elephant trainer Rene Casselly take part in
this winter’s circus festival at Monte Carlo. It will be exiting to see if I can
introduce a winner of a golden clown. Then we have the clowns: our own Bonbon, Italian Jimmi Folco and all his crazy ideas and Hungarian Dittmar in a surprising and kitsch wedding
séance. Ingo Stiebner will be there with his
sealions and Robin Berousek will present ladder
balancing. Play tricks on the death or the law of gravity – at least playing trick
with the audiences nerves when Carlos and Lucio
challenge their fate in a giant rotating wheel of death. Welcome to circus for millions
– it will be an exiting circus year. – The performance will run for
approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. Opening night will be on 18 March at Bellahoj in Copenhagen
and will then tour 107 cities all over Denmark until mid September.
Diorios
was first time with Circus Arena in 2002 and again in 2005 when their globe opened during
their entrée. Both years there was up to 4 bikers in the globe. The record for number of
bikes in a globe of death is held by German Circus Flic Flac: 9 bikers in the globe at the
same time. However the globe used in Flic Flac is larger than the one used by Diorios. Carlos and Lucio working in a wheel of death is
probably members of the Diorios troupe. We have not earlier seen Shaolin-monks in a Danish circus ring. The act
is probably somewhat similar to the act presented by Chy
Fu Dey and Shaolin Kung-Fu-troupe at the German Circus Krone. Rene
Casselly and his
family have been with Circus Arena since 2004 – as a matter of fact they were also
with Arena several times during the 1990’ies and in 2001. Bonbon has
assisted by his wife Tiina performed with Arena since 2001. Jimmi Folco was last time in Circus Arena in 1999.
Robin Berousek (Robert Berousek) did ladder
balancing in Circus Arenas in 2002 and juggling in 2007. Together with his famous brother
Mario Berousek and his parents he was member of the juggling 4 Fredies which toured with
Arena in 1994. Roland and Nemeth Dittmar
toured with tiny Danish Circus Krone in 2004 and was in the following years with German
Circus Flic Flac. In 2007 they worked for Circus Skratt in Sweden. Picasso JR toured with Circus Scott in Sweden in
2001. Picasso JR juggles ping pong balls both with a table tennis racket and with his
mouth before sending boomeranging dinner plates up to the rafters. Click here to see a clip
from one of his performances.
Diorios in their Globe of Death. Photo
from 2002.
27 September
2007
Magical show
and magical training at the Circus Museum: Week
42 is a holiday week for all school children in Denmark. Due to this children (and adults)
can from 15 to 18 October meet the Danish magician Michael Frederiksen (Magical Michael)
at the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. He will give a performance each day at 12,
and from 12 to 14 he will teach children between 8 and 14 how to do magical tricks.
27. September 2007
It’s
magic – Vegas has to wait. For 13
year in row the magician Henrik Christensen
will present a magical show in Odense. This year the show can be seen 20 October at 16.00
and 21 October at 13.00 and 16. Apart from Henrik you can meet the talented young juggler Chri-Va and the soprano Helene Hvass Hansen. At http://www.henrikchristensen.com
you can find a trailer from one of Henrik’s earlier show.
26
September 2007
Circus Arena at Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
As earlier mentioned an Arena unit will tour Greenland and the Faroe Islands from 2 to 11
October. Circus owner Benny Berdino will,
assisted by Pjerrot (Ib Groth Rasmussen)
introduces the following performers: The mimic clown Mr. Chap who also toured with Circus Arena during
its summer season. The contortionist Elena Fiesta, also known as the women with the rubber skeleton.
The German devil stick juggler Andy Gebhardt,
who also has an entrée with a classic tap dancing rhytmperformance whilst juggling his
cigar boxes with clockwork precision around him. The ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard – by far the best ventriloquist in the Nordic
countries. The clowns Martino & co. (Bettina,
Martin and Alexander Arli). The escape artist Alexander
(Arli) trying to do one of Houdini’s famous escape trick. The acrobats Los Fiestas. And last, but not least, Pjerrot
doing some of his bellowed magical tricks.
21 September
2007
Weekend for collectors of circus posters, programmes
etc. What in German is called a Tausch- und
Verkaufsbörse is scheduled for 8 and 9 December at the winter quarter in Slagelse of
Danish Circus Arena. Slagelse is approximately one hour by car from Copenhagen. The
week-end will be arranged by two Circus Magazines: the German Circus Journal and the Swedish Circuläre Notiser in cooperation with Circus Arena, being the largest circus in the
Nordic countries. Apart from possibilities for purchase, sale and exchange of collectors
items the Arena winter quarter can bee seen, including the stables, the training ring
(there will be a display of training), the performing sealions, the Arena museum etc.
There will be a photo exhibition with circus photos taken by Roy Himsel and his daughter
Linda. Father and daughter are among the best circus photographers in Europe. Saturday
evening circus owner Benny Berdino will host a gala dinner. Sunday Suzanne Berdino will
tell about her new book on horse training. René Casselly will tell about how to train an
elephant and show how he is doing it. The clown Bonbon will tell about his life as an
artist. Some changes in the programme might happen. The final program and how to register
for this event will be mentioned on this page when info is available.
20 September
2007
Several
circuses at the Faroe Islands. Usual only
one circus will visit the Faroe Islands: Danish Circus
Arena. But this year also Danish Circus Baldoni
will visit the islands where performances are given from 24 to 29 September. According to
the largest newspaper at the Faroe Islands, Dimmalćtting, Torshavn was in July also
visited by a small Spanish circus. Circus Baldoni visited the Faroe Islands some years
ago. The Faroe Islands are a group of islands in Northern Europe, between the Norwegian
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly equidistant between Iceland, Scotland, and Norway.
They have been an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1948. Both Circus
Arena and Circus Baldoni will at the Faroe Islands perform in sports centres. During Circus
Baldoni’s tour at the Faroe Island the audience can meet some of the artist who have
toured with Baldoni during the summer season at Zealand: Martin Maiböll as assisting ringmaster and as
Texas Jack, the mimic clowns Ibaccala
(Simone Fassari and Camilla Pessi), the African tumblers Mombasa Boys and the owners Thessa and René
Mřnster as the magicians The Baldonis. New
compared to Zealand are the jugglers Bald with
Balls (Swedish David Eriksson and his Finnish/Tunisian partner Fouzia "Fofo"
Rakez). David & Fofo are using ping-pong balls and acrobatics to present odd and
spectacular tricks. To the extent the facilities in the sports centres make is possible
the couple will also present a trapeze act. If an arial act due to facilities is
impossible they will present a combined acrobatic and juggling entrée. You can read more
about the duo at http://www.baldwithballs.com/
and http://www.davidandfofo.com/
Ibaccalas
are amongst the performers during Circus Baldoni’s tour at the Faroe Islands
19 September 2007
Duo Aerius. The
Danish arial cradle acrobats Duo Aerius (Maja and Esben Aerius) have had break for some
time. During the break Esben has worked together with Tuvali. But from 15 November and a
couple of months on the original Duo Aerius will be back. First at Tiergarten in Hamburg
and in January 2008 at Nauheim Variete at Frankfurt.
Duo
Aerius
12 September
2007
No Name Circus.
”16 September will be the last day in season 2007 for No Name Circus at Solbjerg /
Bćlum,” the artistically director Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys tells. He continues: ”It has been our third season and it has
been much more successful than we have dared to hope. What started in 2005 as an animal
show with an outdoor ring has developed into a real circus since we got our own big top in
2006.” So far the No Name circus have
mainly presented animal acts. They have approximately 35 animals all of which can do some
tricks. But for season 2008 some acrobats and an arial act will be engaged. No Name Circus
is not a touring circus but a permanent circus performing at the Team LA Park in the
northern part of Jutland.
9 September
2007
Close of
season for Circus Arena. At the end
of the season in Křge on 9 September circus owner Benny Berdino thanked his performers,
his tent crew, his orchestra and every one else working for Circus Arena for a well done
job during season 2007. Circus Arena visited more than 200 cities in Denmark and more than
300,000 persons saw the performance. Benny Berdino is now looking forward to a more
relaxing period. ”A circus day and night has 25 hours,” he often says with a
twinkle. ”And that is managed by getting up one hour earlier”. However the
Berdino family will not just relax for the coming 6 months. In October a special Arena
Unit headed by Benny Berdino will visit Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Among the
performers will be Bettina, Martin and Alexander
Arli and the ventriloquist Preben Palsgaard.
Arena Kids are going to Nice and after that to
other jobs in Europe. In the schoolchildren’s autumn holiday Arena will arrange a
show for a shopping centre in Kolding, starring some of the Arena horses, Martino &
Co. (clowns and magicians), the acrobats Elena and Ingo and the comedian Mr. Chap. From 24
November to 24 February Arena Winterland (the Arena winter quarter) will be open to the
public (sometimes however only Saturdays and Sundays). Apart from that Circus Arena own a
number of tent used for festivals and galas in Belgium, France and Holland. For some of
those shows the Berdino family is also involved in booking the performers. The Arena owned
tent has in total a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 persons. – Season 2008
for Circus Arena will open on 18 March in Copenhagen. Among the performers will be Suzanne
Berdino, Arena Kids, Bonbon, the Casselly family, Ingo Stiebner with two sealions, the
juggler Picasso JR., Jimmy Folco and Diorio with a globe of death with more bikes than
ever before presented in a Danish circus ring. Benny Berdino believe that the 2008
performance will be the strongest he ever has presented.
A lot of
persons from the circus world have during the season paid a visit to Circus Arena. At the
last performance in Křge circus reporter Don Stacey (for many years press agent for
Holiday on Ice and a number of circuses including Ringling during their tour in Europe in
1963-64) and circus owner Martin Burton of the English Zippos Circus was among the guest.
They are here seen together with Benny and Jackie Berdino (standing to the right).
9 September
2007
Several
foreign circus people and -friends visit the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. Sunday
8 September in the morning a group of Swedish and Dutch circus friends visited the Circus Museum
at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. At the same time the museum was visited by the Danish circus
promoter Jorgen Borsch together with the circus
reporter Don Stacey and Martin Burton from the UK Zippos Circus. Showing
round was done by former Benneweis ringmistress Nelly
Jane Benneweis, Nina and Arne Norager
(parents to the clown Lasse “Bonbon” Norager) and Ole Simonsen. After the museum the group continued
to Koge where Circus Arena gave the last performance in 2007. Circus Benneweis and Circus
Dannebrog were visited Friday and Saturday.
Some
of the foreign visitors in front of the Circus Museum. Sitting in the front in the middle
is John de Vries (editor of De Piste). Behind him Nelly Jane Benneweis. To the right of
Nelly Don Stacey and Jorgen Borsch. Sitting in front of them the president of the Swedish Circus
Academy Roy Himsel.
Jorgen
Borsch, Martin ”Zippo” Burton and Nelly Jane Benneweis in front of the museum
8 September
2007
Gala
performance at Circus Benneweis. Circus owner Diana Benneweis had donated the entire income from a gala
performance on 8 September in Copenhagen to the national association SIND. SIND’s
purpose is to improve the conditions for psychiatric patients. The Danish crown princess
Mary is patroness of the association and the crown princess who is extremely popular in Denmark
attended the gala performance which was very successful.
Crown
princess Mary. Behind the princess you can see Dawid Benneweis and Freddy Bergmann Kolding.
Photo: Arne Magnussen
The crown
princess, Diana Benneweis and Dawid Benneweis on their way out of the big top. Behind
Diana you can see Freddy Bergmann Kolding. Photo: Arne Magnussen
7
September 2007
Several
foreign circuspeople and -friends in Copenhagen. Several
foreigners are visiting Copenhagen during this week-end due to the fact that it is
possible to see all the three large Danish circuses: Arena, Benneweis and Dannebrog. Among
the visitors are Martin Burton, owner of the English Zippos Circus, the circus reporter
and former press agent Don Stacey, the Dutchmen John de Vries and Alfred van Maasakkers
(editors of DE PISTE) and a group of Swedish circus fans headed by Roy Himsel.
7
September 2007
Denmark
is
a kingdom in northern part Europe, the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries. The
tented circus season in Denmark, Norway and Sweden runs from March to September. It is in
general too cold to continue performances in tents in October and November. Among the
Danish circuses Circus Arli
had its final stand for this season on 30 August. This year they visited 107 cities on Zealand.
Circus Arena will close its season on 9
September in Koge south of Copenhagen. A special Arena-unit will tour Greenland and the Faroe
Islands in October. Circus Benneweis will close
its season 16 September in Copenhagen. Circus
Charlie closed its main season in June and let most of their performers off. Since
then they have with a few acrobats toured camping sited in Jutland and lately given some
performances at the Aarhus Festival. Their last scheduled performance in 2007 is on 10
September at Vodskov. Circus Baldoni will close their season on 22 September somewhere
at Zealand. Circus Krone will close its
season on 23 September in Aale. The same day Circus Dannebrog will close the season with a sold
performance somewhere in the southern part of Jutland. Circus Mascot will as the last of the Danish
circuses close its season on 1 October. Several of the circuses will be active during the
winter season with performance at shopping malls etc. The German family circus Renz-Berlin has toured Denmark since the summer
2006. Their press agent says that their season will close on 20 November somewhere in Jutland
and that they in December will present Christmas Circus performances in Herning. Last year
they presented Christmas circus performances in Copenhagen for a rather limited audience.
A try in the much smaller town Herning will probably be even less successful!
7
September 2007
As
previous seasons several circuses produce indoor performances at shopping malls etc.
during the Danish school children’s autumn holiday in week 42..
In Odense
the Haddy Enoch family will at the Rosengaard Shopping Centre from 12 to 20 October
produce CIRKUS KENNY with another Kenny as star
attraction: the Danish gentleman thief couple Kenny
Quinn & Joan. Also starring at Circus Kenny will be the Posnas with their trained poodles and the
Munos-family with no less than three acts: a very good comical tight wire act, the gifted
young juggler Eric Andrea and the comical
cascadeurs Caden & Caden. All three acts
are for the time being on tour with Swedish Circus Olympia. The Kenny performance will be
staged by one of the best circus directors in the Nordic countries Isabella Enoch. She has
amongst other things planed a very special introduction to the cascadeur-entrée Caden
& Caden!
This young
gentleman intent from his push-chair to watch the performances at Circus Kenny. His name
is Jack, he was born 1 November 2006 and his parents are the gentleman thief couple Kenny
and Joan Quinn.
At the
Frederiksberg Shopping Centre in Copenhagen you can from 15 to 20 October meet Benny Schumann with the ponies Laban and Shadow,
Benny’s head groom Briano and Florin and Catocalling
themselves ‘the comedian duo on 6 feet arousing enthusiasm in the hearts of the
spectators by the combination of comedy and animal humour - an animal training and
comedy-act on the highest level’. You can read more about Florin and Cato at http://www.florin-cato.de/engl/index.html
From the
International clown festival at Bakken 2002. In the middle of the photo you can see Florin
with Cato and Benny Schumann. At the bottom you can see Alfredo Rastelli.
At the West
Zealand Centre in Slagelse you can from 15 to 20 meet Circus Mascot which apart from the Deleuran
family’s own act present the clown Don Carlos
(Mogens Koelmeyer).
Don Carlos.
Photo taken at the clown festival t Bakken in august 2007
Circus Arena
will produce an autumn performance for a shopping centre in Kolding from 15 to 20 October.
Amongst the performers are Bettina, Martin and
Alexander Arli.
27 August 2007
For several
years the Danish clown and multi-acrobat Benny
Schumann has in August produced a circus gala performance in a large variety theatre
tent at the Danish amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen. It is a closed performance
produced for a specific company. This year the performance took place on 19 October. Apart
from Benny himself the performers were the gentleman thief Kenny Quinn, the Curatola Brothers, the bike acrobats Jimmy and Edward Enoch and the magician Mr. Mox. Apart from Curatola Brothers all of the
performers were Danes, Kenny Quinn and the Enoch cousins being international world class
performers. The audience was very pleased with the show.
Curatola
Brothers. Photo taken at Circus Dannebrog where the brothers can be seen until close of
season 23 September
26 August 2007
Equipment
from Circus Barum. When I
visited German Circus Barum in Flensburg on 10 August I took a number of photos of the
wagons and other equipment. Click here if you would like to se those photos.
24 August 2007
See Denmark's
best clowns in LEGOLAND the
amusement park Legoland in Billund writes. They are on 8 and 9 September arranging an
event called Clown Days. In the press release it
is said: “We guarantee laughter when some of Denmark’s best clowns take part in
Clown Day at LEGOLAND. See clowns such as Don
Carlos, David Skunk, Tony Trifolikum, Charlie & Binalto, John Newman and others. Throughout the weekend
there will be crazy competitions and great prizes. Put your red noses on and set a course
for LEGOLAND on Clown Day.” – In connection with the clown days the Circus Museum
at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, will arranged a small clown exhibition in the Legoland Park. In charge of the exhibition are museum curator Anja Olsen and the circus photographer Lise Kokholm.
David Skunk
is among the performing clowns in Legoland
22 August 2007
Swedish circus
friends to Copenhagen. By tradition
a group of Swedish circus friends headed by the chairman of the Swedish Circus Academy Roy Himsel will visit Copenhagen in September
as it is possible to during a week-end to see all the three large Danish Circuses. This
year their program is:
Saturday 8
September at 15.00: Circus Benneweis at the Bellahoj circus lot
Saturday 8
September at 19.30: Circus Dannebrog at the Trianglen circus lot.
Sunday 9
September at 13.00: Cirkus Arena in Křge.
22 August 2007
Danish Circus
Krone at the Circus Museum in Rold. The
Circus Museum in Rold is situated in the northern part of Jutland. The museum was
established in 1982 in connection with the riding-school builded in 1912 to circus Miehe.
For several years if have been a tradition that the Danish dog and pony show Circus Krone
in the autumn visit Rold and give a performance in the riding-school building. This year
the visit will take place on 15 September with a performance at 3 p.m.
21 August 2007
As mentioned
on this page 16 August the 14 year old StarSearch
winner Lauge Benjaminsen was a guest artist in Circus Benneweis when Circus Benneweis visited Silkeborg from 17
to 19 August . Lauge is himself from Silkeborg. His entrée was very popular circus owner Diana
Benneweis tells. Freddy Bergman Kolding of Circus Benneweis has kindly sent me these
photos from Lauge’s performance.
Lauge
Benjaminsen at Circus Benneweis. Photos by courtesy of Circus Benneweis.
17 August 2007
Kenny Quinn & Joan – Mozart of the
pick-pockets will be rather busy during the coming winter season. The talented Danish
gentleman-thief couple will start their Christmas season on 29 November at Luxembourger Advent Circus. This show will run
until 17 December. Then Kenny and Joan will go to Landau in Germany where they will
perform at Landauer Weihnachtscircus from 20
December 2007 to 6 January 2008. Between Luxembourg and Landau they will find time to a
couple of gala performances. After the Christmas season they will continue to Kassel where
they for the fifth time since 2002 will star at VARIETÉ
STARCLUB from 9 January to 3 March 2008.
Kenny Quinn
and his wife and partner Joan
16 August 2007
StarSearch winner as guest artist in Circus Benneweis.
When Circus Benneweis is visiting Silkeborg from 17 to 19 August a very talented young
juggler Lauge Benjaminsen will be among the
performers. Lauge is from Silkeborg and became know all over Denmark when he earlier this
year won the first prize in the Danish version of the TV-program StarSearch.
"I saw
Lauge at TV and realises immediately that he was an outstanding talent. I believe that we
have a duty to promote such talents. For this reason we contacted him and asked if he
would like to perform for a large audience in Circus Benneweis during our visit to
Silkeborg. Luckily enough he accepted our offer,” circus owner Diana Benneweis tells.
13 August 2007
Swedish Circus
Olympia. Ordinary
you will not expect to find info on a Swedish circus on at website called Circus in Denmark.
At least not at the English version of the website. The Danish version does actually also
contain information about circuses in Norway and Sweden.
But I know
that many circus friends are interested in photos of wagons and other equipment. When I
visited the medium-sized Swedish Circus Olympia on 12 August a friend has asked med to
take some photos of the equipment. Click here if you will like to see these photos.
I did also
take some photos from the performance. Click here if you will like to see those photos.
12 August 2007
A lot of new
wave circus performances.
In August and September you can see a lot of new wave circus performances in Denmark. One
of the performances is Freaks, produced by two of the leading new wave circus
companies in Denmark Cikaros and TinCanCompany. Opening night in Copenhagen
for the outdoor performance was on 11 August. Click here to see some photos from the performance starring Allan Hansen,
Camilla Becker Madsen, Michiel van Leeuwen, Signe Lřve Anderskov, Gry
Lambertsen and Leo Sicard. The performance is a clear evidence of the fact that
we do have a lot of young talents in the Danish new wave circus world.
Allan
Hansen and his freaks.
10
August 2007
FREAKS
– a new Danish new circus performance. Two
of the leading new wave circus companies in Denmark Cikaros and TinCanCompany present
a new performance called Freaks. Freaks are the history about a travelling circus freaks
show which under a thunderstorm has to taker shelter in a strange universe.
The
performance runs for 1 hour 15 minutes. Performing artist are Camilla Becker Madsen, Cikaros (swing
trapeze, double rope), Michiel van Leeuwen, Cikaros (arial straps, double rope,
dance), Signe Lřve Anderskov, Cikaros (handstand), Gry Lambertsen,
TinCanCompany (Chinese pole, clown), Rune Andersen, TinCanCompany (slack wire,
manipulation), Leo Sicard (juggling), Allan Hansen (clown, music).
Direction:
Mikala Bjarnov Lage. Stenography: Lina B. Frank.
The
performance can be seen as an open air performance in 11 and 12 August at 19 in Copenhagen
at the Culture centre at Islands Brygge. Later it can be seen in Malmö (Sweden) and some
places in Denmark.
Freaks.
Photo by courtesy of Cikaros
10
August 2007
Lott
& Joe. A
retired Danish acrobat Johan Meyer Andersen (born 1923) passed away on 1 August 2007.
Years ago he had together with his wife Lott an excellent bike acrobatic act Lott &
Joe which toured in several countries including USA. When their daughter and son grew up
they joined the troupe which then changed its name to Somays. Johan acted then as a nice
lady from the audience who was persuaded to enter the stage and participate in the bike
act.
Lott &
Joe. Photo from the collection of the Cirkusmuseet at Hvidovre, Copenhagen
Johan Meyer
Andersen and Somays. Photo from the collection of the Cirkusmuseet at Hvidovre, Copenhagen
5 August 2007
Circus Astoria.
”Now they are back in Denmark!”, Henrik Sřndergaard of Circus Benneweis writes,
adding: ”On my way from Třnder (Tondern) and north I saw in three small cities
posters from the tine German Zirkus Astoria which also tried its luck in Denmark in Agust
and September 2006.” Last year they used a two pole tent with a diameter of 26 meter.
All acts were done by the owner Ricardo Köllner and his family. As then other German
family circus touring Denmark the audience in Denmark for an unknown German circus was
rather limited. But both Astoria and Renz-Berlin might do even worse in Germany where
between 300 and 400 circuses are touring. And when all acts are done by the family which
also does the tent crew work cost of running a circus is not that high.
1
August 2007
Cirkusbladet
(The Danish Circus Magazine).
The association of Danish Circus Friends has for many years had a dream about publishing a
magazine. And now the dram has come through as the association a week ago published issue
no 1 of Cirkusbladet. It is a 24 page magazine in A5 format and full colour front, back
and middle pages. It is published in association with the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen.
12 pages are written by the circus friends and 12 pages by the museum. The language is
Danish. The Danish Circus Friends hopes to be able to publish the next issue of
Cirkusbladet in December 2007.
31 July 2007
Clown festival
at Bakken. Since 1996
Dyrehavsbakken (Denmark's oldest amusement park situated north of Copenhagen) has every
year in August held an International Clown Festival with Benny Schumann as artistically director. The
festival has got a very good international reputation and has presented a number of world
class clowns. However, after the festival in 2006 Benny Schumann decided at least for at
while to stop as artistically director.
Dyrehavsbakken
has for 2007 decided to run the festival as a pure Danish festival with only Danish
performers. This year’s festival runs from 30 July to 5 August and is presented by Sir Benny (Benny Fjeldsoe) as ringmaster. At the performance the first two days you met the
clown Don Carlos (Mogens Koelmeyer) with his
violin entrée. The David Skunk, who is born in
Puerto
Rico but for many years has lived in Denmark entered the stage with his skunk. Then we met
the clown, contortionist and juggler Tapé
(Henrik Rasmussen). Following him Don Carlos was back with a chef entrée. He was
followed by David Skunk with a comical juggling routine with cigar boxes. Last act in the
performance was Mr. Toons (Palle Bay Henriksen)
with his mega balloon. Mr. Toons claims to be the first who presented the routine with the
comical striptease before entering the mega balloon. Many other artists have copied the
routine.
As usual the Circus Museum at
Hvidovre, Copenhagen, has put up a small tent with an exhibition, which this year tells a
bit about the history of Dyrehavsbakken which claims to be the oldest amusement park in
the world established in 1583. (1746 might be a truer year of establishment).
Don Carlos,
David Skunk, Mr. Toons, Tapé and Sir Benny. Click here
to see some photos from the performance 31 July in the afternoon
28 July 2007
News from ECA.
The European Circus Association has sent out the following press information:
Alleging
maladministration by the Director-General (Markets) of the European Union, the European
Circus Association has brought a complaint before the European Ombudsman, pursuing an
Infringement action against Austria concerning its absolute ban on non-domesticated
animals in the circus.
The ECA
claims its previous Case against the Austrian ban was dismissed “to satisfy
activists”, and that the EU principle of ‘proportionality’ has been
breached.
The European
Parliament and many Member States across Europe have pledged to preserve the cultural
tradition of Circus. European
Commissioner Mr Charles McCreevy is said to have opened and then closed a Case against Austria
“for political reasons”.
Mr
McCreevy’s previous stance had originally been set out in a letter to Austria in
which he said that “the aim to protect animals in circuses can be achieved with less
restrictive measures”.
The ECA
points out that it kept faith with a request from the EC to avoid Press contact. In spite of the ECA’s integrity, there was an
instantaneous ‘leak’ from either the Commission itself or from the Austrian
Government to an Austrian animal rights organisation, which then informed the media.
In
assembling its Case, and in spite of Freedom of Information laws, the ECA has been unable
to obtain several key documents from the Commissioner’s office. ECA was not advised that the Commissioner intended
to close the Case against Austria; that decision only came to light when the German Press
covered the story.
The
ECA’s argument is endorsed by the continuing refusal of the UK Government to impose a
blanket ban on wild animals in circuses. The
EU is also investigating Belgian Government policy against animal circuses.
The ECA
insists on “reinstatement of the infringement proceedings and deliverance of a
reasoned opinion to rectify the situation the Commission has created with its actions in
this case”, and points out the implications of these events on free trade and the
‘Internal Market’ within the EU.
The
classical Circus is one of Europe ’s great traditions, acknowledged by the European
Parliament as an essential part of popular culture.
But Circus
is under threat from rising levels of legislation, often designed to control other
industries and which fail to allow for the exceptional circumstances of travelling
entertainment.
It’s
only five years since the European Circus Association was founded, but the organisation
has already achieved much on behalf of circus companies and the circus community
throughout the European Union.
The ECA
imposes high standards on its members; standards of animal care, of transportation, of
public accommodation. And we also defend
our members by talking to national and European Governments about legislation which will
affect circuses, such as Visa regulations for non-EU performers.
The
ECA’s newest initiatives were discussed at a Board meeting held on 9th June in Freiburg,
Germany. A major concern is to counter claims
that circuses treat their animals badly; to ensure this can’t happen, and to
demonstrate our professionalism to observers, the ECA already enforces a Code of Conduct
on its members.
But
we’re also working with national Governments within the EU to produce detailed animal
care rules as an example of possible regulation. These
are known as Model Regulations for the Care of Animals in Circus. They cover housing, transport, general husbandry,
and the use of exterior / exercise areas. By
formulating these strict rules, we can ensure that practical and workable rules are
developed within the EU which will allow circuses to go on providing the most up-to-date
facilities for their animal performers.
The
ECA’s belief is that new rules should follow the new Animal Welfare plan of the EU,
which assesses each animal’s individual needs by using ‘objective
indicators’ which recognise that animal’s living environment. This is a way of guaranteeing the welfare of
animals in all contexts, and has enormous benefits over the old idea of providing
fixed-size enclosures for each species.
The ECA is
already working to help bring in a practical European system of registration of circuses
with their national authorities.
The
ECA’s input over new Animal Transport laws has resulted in confirmation from the EU
that the regulations do not apply to the transport of circus animals. As soon as this verbal agreement is
confirmed in writing, the ECA will publish it for the benefit of members.
And
we’ve also negotiated a written statement that a new regulation, part of the animal
health passport rules, governing contact between different species prevents contact
between circus animals and non-circus animals, but does not apply to different species
living within the circus.
The ECA is
helping set standards of training at professional circus schools, and has sent tutors to
three of a series of Workshops under the EPE project which were designed to improve the
teaching and learning of circus techniques and skills.
ECA involvement will continue in cooperation with FEDEC (Fédération
Européenne des Écoles de Cirque).
The ECA
supports campaigns to preserve and enhance the natural habitats of endangered species,
especially those species closely associated with Circus such as elephants. We continue to support the International
Elephant Foundation and we share opposition to the trade in furs, bones, and body parts of
all species. We are encouraging our members
and friends to use the power of the circus to support this and other genuine conservation
projects.
26
July 2007
Circus
Bonbon 2007.
The
Swedish Circus Skratt does never tour from mid June to mid August. During that period you
have for a number of years could see a short version of their performance in the amusement
park Bonbon-land in the southern part of Zealand. As in 2005 and 2006 the performance,
which is produced by Benny Berdino of Danish Circus Arena, is presented in Circus Skratt's
blue and yellow striped tent seating 1,200 persons.
The
performance in Circus Bonbon is presented by the Danish ring mistress Judith (in Sweden
is it the tight wire dancer Johanna Abrahamsson who is ring mistress). First act is the
German/Russian couple Marina and Yvo as Bubble Gums. The sympathetic couple did
also tour Denmark in 2005 with Circus Arli. Then Roland Dittmar has a run-in.
Usually he is working together with his tall wife Agnes (that was the case when he in 2004
toured with the tiny Danish Circus Krone 2004 and in 2005/2006 with the large German
Circus Flic Flac. Agnes takes also part in the Skratt performance. But she is not present
at Bonbon-Land). Following Roland former Cossack rider Mignon Bratuchin presents 6
beautiful Arabian horses in a liberty entrée. Next come Alex Mruz (Alexey Mruz) in
a very good rola-bola entrée for which he use his father the run-in clown Robert Mruz
(Robby) as assistant. Then Marina is back with a fine hula-hoop-act. Following her we meet
Valentina Mruz (married to Robert and mother to Alex) with a great trapeze act.
Then comes probably the best act in the performance: Yvo Antoni's acrobatic entrée
together with his tiny dog Klopstock.
Also an act which I do remember from Circus Arli 2005. Last act in the performance is Duo
Staubertis from Czech with a well presented perch entrée in which Enrica Stauberti
shows that she can more than just be on top of the perch balanced by her brother Dimitr.
Yvo Antoni
with the dog Klopstock. Click here to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance.
25 July 2007
International
Night Cabaret in the Palace of Mirrors.
Aarhus Festival is running
from August 31st to September 9th. During the festival there will be a variety
show at the Palace of Mirrors, starring the Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen, the Chinese
magician Juliana Chen, the German comedians Collins Brothers, the
female handstand acrobats Duo Credo and the Swedish bike artist Malte Knapp.
v
23 July 2007
Bonbon-land
sold. The Danish amusement park Bonbon-land has been sold
to Parques Reunidos which is owned by the British Private Equity house Candover.
For several
years Bonbon-land has as a free attraction when entrance to the park has been paid
presented Circus Bonbon during the summer
holiday. Circus Bonbon is produced by Benny Berdino of Circus Arena. And Addie Jepsen has during the season presented
Berdino's sealions at Bonbon-land. It is unknown if the new owners want to continue with
circus and sealion shows. However, no changes will take palace during this season. Thus,
you can meet circus Bonbon at Bonbonland until 12 August and Addie Jepsen and the sealions
until 26 August.
Circus Bonbon
– 2008 could be its last season
23 July 2007
Arena Kids to Lille.
When Circus Arena close the season in Denmark on 9 September the trick riders Arena Kids
– Réne Casselly JR being 10 years old, the triplets Stephanie, Charmaine and Oliver
Berdino being 13 years old, Patrick Berdino being 15 years old and Marylou Casselly being
15 years old – are going to the circus festival at Lille, France. As a matter of fact
the festival will take place in a tent owned by Circus Arena’s owner Benny Berdino.
Rumours telling that the 5 young talents also shall participate in the Monte Carlo
festival in January 2008 are rejected by Circus Arena’s assistant director Jackie
Berdino. ”But maybe the can go to Monte Carlo in January 2009, “Jackie Berdino
tells and add that Arena Kids also will tour with Circus Arena in 2008. Jackie is happy to
notice that the youngsters out of witch Patrick is his own son day for day are becoming
better and better. Also Réne Casselly who is
considered to be one of the best elephant trainers in Europe has together with his wife
Alexis been reengaged for Circus Arena in 2008. In January 2008 the Casselly’s have
been invited to present their elephant act at the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo.
Arena Kids.
Photo: Christian Warrer/Cirkus Arena
22. July 2007
Circus
Charlie. On 21
June I wrote that the small Danish Circus Charlie had closed their spring/early summer
season after a performance in Frederikshavn. According to the circus’ website it is
involved in a show in Kids Fun Park, Barcelona, Spain from 15 July to 20 August. However, the information about a show in Spain is
not correct. The first week of July circus
owner Einar Trie was involved in a European Circus Summer camp in Selde. After that Circus
Charlie has with a few acrobats toured camping sites in Jutland. It is not know to me if
they still are touring camping sites.
20 July 2007
Circus Mascot. Circus
Mascot which calls itself ”Denmark’s family circus” is for the time being
touring Zealand. As always they present a nice and family friendly performance. Circus
owners Marianne and Jess Deleuran's youngest son Andreas welcomes the audience with a
circus song. He is followed by a juggling routine presented by Ulmas and Daniel. Then
Marianne Deleuran presents her trained dogs. She is followed by Gulio the clown with a
short run-in, introducing Gulio' wife Miss Prymachenko in tissues. Next entrée is a
Mascot tradition: two kids are invited to participate in a competition in the ring. Then
Gulio has another run in as “strong man”, this time skilfully assisted by
Andreas. After Gulio and Andreas the plate spinning juggler Zdenek enters the ring,
choosing a female from the audience as assistant as his wife always is drunk (of cause not
true – later in the performance we meet his sympathetic wife in aerial ring). He is
followed by Gulio and Andreas in their very own plate spinning entrée, involving a male
member of the audience. Last act before the interval is the sleeping pony Ricky, skilfully
presented by Marianne. The second part of the performance is opened by Daniel Deleuran
with his cube rola bola act. He is followed first by Gulio with a short run-in and then by
his younger brother Andreas with a diabolo entrée. Then comes another Gulio run-in before
Jess Deleuran enter the ring with his four ponies. The ponies are followed by Miss Maria
in arial ring while her husband Zdenek and their son is playing saxophone. Last act in the
performance is a somewhat longer run-in with Gulio as bus driver, inviting one male and
two female members of the audience to take a trip with his bus.
Among this
years performers at Circus Mascot is the plate spinning juggler Zdenek, using a member of
the audience as assistant. Click here to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance.
18 July 2007
Museums of
Circus, Artists and Showmen. A circus
interested Danish librarian Dan Roneklint Sorensen
made some years ago a survey of museums of Circus, Artists and Showmen. So far the survey
has only be available as a paper based document. However, after a recent update Dan has
made the survey available at the internet at the address http://www.cirkus-dk.dk/cirkusmuseer/
The language
is Danish, German and English. The survey introduces more than 150 museums all over the
world. To the extent known information is given on opening hours, email-addresses and
websites.
This survey contains only collections
with admission to the public. It contains both museums in being and museums which were or
hope/hoped to open. Both museums which have these subjects as main subjects and museums of
civilisation with a fair amount of objects about them are included.
The survey is arranged according to a
broad classification. Under the specific headings the countries are arranged
alphabetically and under each country the museums are arranged alphabetically according to
their original name or the name mentioned in the source.
It is Dan
Roneklint Sorensen’s intent to update the survey twice a year, next time in December
2007. He will be happy to receive any comments and suggestions. Send me an email and I will forward it to Dan Roneklint
Sorensen.
16 July 2007
Circus Krone
calls itself the smallest circus in Denmark. This year’s performance proves that the
artistically quality in the smaller Danish circus is high – much higher that what you
often can see in medium sized circuses south of the Danish/German border. First act in
Circus Krone's 2007 performance after circus owner Irene Thierry’s welcome is Jan Allan (husband of Irene Thierry), with three
ponies. Then the young juggler Nandor Varadi
enters the ring. It is his first season with Circus Krone. His sister Eva and his parents
Diana and Michi did also tour with Krone in 2002 and 2003. Following Nandor come the
children’s favourit: Jan Allan as the sympathetic clown Alando, assisted by Irene. Next act is Eva Varadis entrée in vertical rope. The Dani Bedea presents a very good ladder balancing
act. Then Eva Varadi is back, this time with an excellent foot juggling entrée. The
Alando has another entrée. Diana and Michi Varadi
shows what they have trained their dogs to do: happy and joyful dogs in a sympathetic
routine. Last trick is a dog climbing a ladder with a titbit reward at the top of the
ladder. They are followed by Jan Allan and Irene in a comical magician act. Last act at
the programme is something you do not expect to find in a small dog and pony show: a 4
person teeterboard troupe. Irene Thierry found the Bedea-truppen
in Rumania and it is easy to understand that she and Jan Allan are mighty proud of being
able to present such an act.
The foot
juggler Eva Varadi. Click here to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance.
13 July 2007
Want
to visit the leading Danish circuses? As usual the three largest circuses in Denmark:
Circus Arena, Circus Benneweis and Circus Dannebrog will be in the Copenhagen area in the
beginning of September, making that time at the year an excellent choice for foreigners
who want to pay a visit one or more of the leading circuses in Denmark. Circus
Dannebrog will be in Copenhagen
from 31 August to 16 September. Circus Benneweis
will be in Copenhagen from 5 to 16 September at in the Copenhagen suburb Greve from 31
August to 2 September. Circus Arena is in different Copenhagen suburbs from 21 August to
31 August and again from 2 to 3 September. On 7 and 8 September Circus Arena will be in HIlleröd (35 minutes by
train from downtown Copenhagen – train service every 20 minutes). Season will close
on 9 September in Köge (35 minutes by train from downtown Copenhagen – train service
every 20 minutes). Here it the phone numbers to the ticket offices: Circus Arena: + 45 40
30 30 40. Circus Benneweis: + 45 40 40 20 20. Circus Dannebrog: + 45 30 26 36 36
12 July 2007
Circus
Zalmov. In July and September you can find tiny Circus
Zalmov at the Danish holiday resort Henne in the western part of Jutland. The tent can
seat 150 persons and equipment looks like the equipment circuses used in the 1950'ties.
Apart from some animals performers are the owner Venzel Zalmov and probably one or two
other artists. The show is a music/comedy show with no spoken words. Venzel Zalmov is
Danish and his Christian name is Per Mikkelsen. He was born in 1946 at Circus Miehe where
his father was bandmaster. You can find further information on Circus Zalmov at http://www.zalmov.dk/
German
text: Ab Sommer 2007 präsentieren Křbmand Hansen Ferienhausvermietung, Cirkus Zalmov mit
einer Vorstellung jeden Sonntag bis Freitag ab 19.30 Uhr im Juli und August. Der Clovn
Venzel Zalmov sorgt für Unterhaltung für die vielen Gäste, die jedes Jahr nach Henne
Strand kommen.
Die
Vorstellung wird vorgefürt mit Tieren, Musik und Mimik, also alles ohne Worte, so alle
können das verstehen, egal welche Altersgruppe.
Circus Zalmov.
Photo from 2005. Photo
by courtesy of Venzel Zalmov.
6 July 2007
Party at Circus
Benneweis on 13 July. When circus
owner Diana Benneweis on 12 June reached 60 years she preferred to be “out of
office” and no birthday party was given. But the birthday with a round figure will be
celebrated in Aarhus on Friday 13 July. On this day Diana’s children, the twins Nadia
and Dawid, can celebrated their 20 year birthday and Circus Benneweis can celebrate its
120 years jubilee, having been established in 1887. Whilst it may not be the oldest circus
in the world, it is considered to be then oldest in sense of being owned by the same
family for such an extensive period. Diana Benneweis’ great grandfather Gottfried
Benneweis (1865-1933) founded the show. His son Ferdinand Benneweis (1888-1945) took over
after Gottfried. In turn it was run by Eli Benneweis (1911-1993) and since 1994 by the
present owner Diana Benneweis. The performance on 13 July will be a gala performance
followed by a dinner for the invited guest and after that dance, firework and breakfast
for those who can keep on dancing and celebrating all night!
Nadia and
Dawid Benneweis. Photos from 2005. Photographer: Arne Magnussen
5 July 2007
Glen Nicolodi as substitute in Circus Dannebrog.
In the beginning of July circus owners Haddy Enoch had permitted his star equilibrists Curatola Brothers to take a few days of in order
to go to an audition regarding an interesting job in season 2008. Luckily enough the
gifted hand stand acrobat Glen Nicolodi had at the same time a few days of from his
engagement in the Danish travelling variety theatre show Zirkus Nemo while Nemo was moving
their equipment from Copenhagen to Svendborg. And Nemo owner Soren Ostergaard kindly
permitted his colleague Haddy Enoch to “borrow” Glen Nicolodi for the days
Curatola Bros was away from Circus Dannebrog. - Guiseppe Curatola (born 1978) and his
smaller brother Emanuel Curatola (born 1983) was graduated from the Italian Circus Academy
in 1994. Since then they had performed in theatres, varieties and circuses all over Europe.
The Curatola brothers present their acrobatic hand-in hand number in elegant and original
way showing to the audience their special ability and athletic force. When Circus
Dannebrog closes their season in September the brothers will go to Cirque d’Hiver
Bouglione in Paris.
30 June 2007
Problems
for Circus Renz at Roskilde. The German family circus Renz-Berlin continues to have
problems in Denmark. When they played an indoor date at Himmelev in Roskilde in February
they had problems in getting the necessary permissions from authorities. When they left
they “forgot” to pay the owner of the premises the agreed rent. During their
visit at Roskilde on 22 to 24 June they tried to avoid fulfilling the requirements from
the fire brigade (such requirements apply to all circuses – Danish and no Danish).
Apparently the Renz people had hoped that no one from the fire brigade would care about
“arme circusleute” (they often called themselves such) from a circus from Germany.
However, having looked at the tent and realised that cars parked right next to the tent
was used as guy ropes (sic!) and that no of
Circus Renz’s own “fireguard” was familiar with the Danish language the
head of the fire brigade found the situation too dangerous and forbid Circus Renz to have
audience in the tent! Rather reluctantly Circus Renz had to accept to pay 400 Euro per
performance as salary to two of the local firemen and rent of a road tanker with water.
Circus Renz have to pay the 400 Euro before “einlass” as the fire brigade had
heart rumours of Renz being bad payers.
27
June 2007
Circus
Flik-Flak goes to Iceland.
Tommy Hardam of Circus Flik-Flak tells:
Circus
Flik-Flak is one of the largest youth circuses in Denmark. In 2000 Circus Flik-Flak
visited several cities at Greenland. In 2002 Iceland was visited where number of workshops
and performances was arranged in cooperation with Lágafellskirkja. In the spring 2006 16
youngsters from Lágafellskirkja participates in lectures and training at Circus Flik-Flak
in Odense.
On
30 June 34 Danish children and youngsters and their 12 adult trainers will leave for
another two week trip to Iceland. The will make a performance together with youngsters
from Iceland. The performance can be seen at Mosfellsbär, Akranes, Reykjavik, Keflavik at
and the Vestmanna islands and in Kópavogur.
24
June 2007
Solveig
Enoch’s birthday party.
A birthday party was given on 23 June at Lökken in Circus Dannebrog’s tent. 110
guests were invited. Among those Lotte and Soren Arli of Circus Arli with their grandson
Alexander, the author of circus books and producer of circus documentaries Jorgen Lorenzen
and a large number of Solveig and Haddy Enoch’s old artist friends. Amongst those
were the Conradis and Birgit and Walter Potthoff.
Solveig Enoch
(partly hidden behind a rose) together with her grandson Jimmy Enoch and Lotte Arli.
Photo: Rene Lahnen
22
June 2007
Solveig
Enoch 70 years old.
On 25 June Solveig Enoch, the wife of circus owner Haddy Enoch of Circus Dannebrog, can
celebrate her 70 years birthday. As a girl she dreamed about being a circus star. Her
dream came through when she in her childhood home met the bike acrobat Haddy Enoch. That
meeting became her fate and her fortune. Since that meeting Solveig and Haddy have been
partners – both as acrobats and in their private life. In 1951 they started a bike
acrobat trio together with Solveig's sister Grethe. Grethe left the troupe to become an
arial artist. Solveig and Haddy continued as 2 Haddies. In 1953 and 1954 they worked at
Danish Circus Moreno. After that they went abroad and toured until 1976 32 different
countries working in circuses, variety shows and ice shows. Their favourite place was the
now closed Hansa Variety Theatre in Hamburg. 18 times
they
were engaged at the Hansa Theatre, each engagement lasting one month. When their four
children Dennie, Agnete, Isabella and Katja grow up they were involved in the bike act
which then was named 4 Haddies. Today Solveig and Haddy Enoch have stopped their carrier
as active acrobats. But the family tradition continues: their son Dennie and their
grandson Jimmy have taken over the act, often assisted by Solveig and Haddy’s other
grandchildren. In 1977 the Enoch family re-established Circus Dannebrog. The first Circus
Dannebrog was owned by the Enoch family but stopped touring in 1922. The present Circus
Dannebrog has toured Denmark since 1977 and is today one of the leading circuses in Denmark.
Solveig Enoch.
Photo: Inge Ruberg
21
June 2007
Circus
Charlie has closed its spring/early summer season.
On 18 June Circus Charlie closed their spring/early summer season after a performance in
Frederikshavn on the date when Circus Charlie was established 20 years ago. The first week
of July circus owner Einar Trie is involved in a European Circus Summer camp in Selde.
According to the circus’ website it is involved in a show in Kids Fun Park, Barcelona,
Spain from 15 July to 20 August. No
performances are scheduled for in Denmark until a few performances in early September.
21
June 2007
Aquanaut. The circus photographer Lise Kokholm
has sent me the photos shown below of the performance given by the new wave circus
troupe Aquanaut at the harbour in Faaborg on 21 June. Unfortunately heavy rain harmed the
performance which should have been given on the deck of the schooner Lovise. But the rain
made the deck slippery and the somewhat shortened performance was mainly given at the
quay. About 200 persons watched the performance.
Photos from
the performance at Faaborg 21 June. Photo: Lise Kokholm
21
June 2007
Flying
Superkids at Le Plus Grand Cabaret de Monde.
The
Danish kid troupe Flying Superkids is amongst the performers in French TV5’s program
Le Plus Grand Cabaret de Monde on 23 June at 21:02. Flying Superkids - founded in 1967 -
is the elite team of the gymnastic club and non-profit organization
“Gymnastikgaarden” (aka “The gymnastic farm”). Over the years, millions of spectators in more than
33 countries have experienced the kids dance, sing and fly. It
started out as a traditional gymnastic team, but through the years, Flying Superkids has
evolved into a unique show ensemble. Other performers at Le Plus Grand Cabaret are
Yunke, la table ŕ repasser (Espagne) ; Michael Goudeau, jongleur comique (USA) ; Lakto,
magie moto (Argentine) ; Trio Csazars, bascule (Hongrie) ; Bernard Bilis, hommage ŕ
Gainsbarre ; Les Chats, acrobatie (Russie) ; Yunke, main et faucon (Espagne) ;
Akhmetzyanovs, le fil (Russie) ; Mukhtar, l'homme désarticulé ; Hans Davis, ombroman
(Belgique) ; Julie Lavergne, la roue (Canada) ; Bastrakov, poupées (Russie) ; Les
Perezoff, monocycles (Cuba) ; Carlos Vaquera (Belgique) ; Duo Scarlette, trapčze (Canada)
; Dani Lary, l'homme canon.
21
June 2007
In
2001 DR television broadcasted a series of documentaries about life in Circus Dannebrog.
The programmes are for the time being repeated at DR TV Monday to Thursdays at 8:30
20
June 2007
Alexia
and René Casselly to Monte Carlo. Circus
Zeitung tells that Alexia and René Casselly who for the last couple of seasons has
presented elephants and horses at Circus Arena will be amongst the performers at
the 32nd Circus Festival in Monte Carlo in January 2008. Probably they will present the
impressive courier ride on elephants which they are presenting this year in Circus Arena.
It could very well be awarded with a bronze or silver clown. According to the Danish
weekly magazine Billed-Bladet also the couple’s two talented children René JR. and
Marylou joined by 4 of Circus owner Benny Berdino’s grandchildren (Charmaine,
Stephanie, Oliver and Patrick) will go to Monte
Carlo with their trick riding act Arena Kids.
Alexia
Casselly riding the Courier. Photo: Christian Warrer/Circus Arena
14
June 2007
AFUK
Festivitas & and untamed night cabaret 2007:
The Copenhagen Circus School AFUK invites to their annual Festivitas Thursday 21
June from 17 to 23 and Friday 22 June at their training premises at Kigkurren 1-3,
Copenhagen. A detailed program can be seen from 19 June at www.afuk.dk
Saturday 23
June at 11 p.m. AFUK invites to Untamed Night
Cabaret Circus Grand Cru 2007 with new circus artist from all over Europe. This event
takes place at Enghavevej 82, Copenhagen. The Copenhagen
culture fund has sponsored the arrangement.
14 June 2007
Great success at Mögeltönder. On Circus Arena’s website you can read that the
circus as previous years hosted a charity performance in Mögeltönder on 11 June. And the
performance was a great success. The entire income from the ticket office was donated to
the Danish children’s cancer foundation. The donated amount was 31,000 Euro. Amongst
the guest were Prince Joachim (youngest son of the Danish queen), his ex-wife Alexandra
and the couple’s two kids Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix. Click here for link to
photos from the event.
8 June 2007
Diana
Benneweis 60 years
old. On Tuesday
12 June circus owner Diana Benneweis of Danish Circus Benneweis can celebrate her 60 years
birthday. When Eli Benneweis and his wife Eva in 1947 learned that the only 17-year old
Manfred Benneweis had got a daughter with a only 16 year old girl from Funen they took a
quick decision: they adopted the baby girl who at the christening ceremony 13 November
1947 at Fredriksborg Castle Church got the name Diana. The first years it was first and
foremost her grandmother Irene who took care of the tiny Diana who she told:”Your mum
and dad can not get any children. That’s why you uncle made you together with a 16
year old girl who couldn’t keep you”. Grandmother told Diana that she had been
chosen between many tiny children as the sweetest one.
Diana
Benneweis in 1956.
Photo: Arne Magnussen
Shortly
before her 15 year birthday Diana had her debut in the circus ring. And for the next many
years the Danes met Diana as a extremely beautiful girl presenting beautiful liberty
horses. Her trainer was Wenzel Kossmeier. A
skilled but a bit old-fashioned trainer who according to rumours once in a while used his
whip at horses as well as at Diana. But this part of Diana’s life was unknown to the
public. A few years later she became engaged to the horse trainer Claus Jespersen and in
the beginning of the 1970’ties the couple was in charge of Circus Building in Copenhagen
and was considered as happy member of the Danish jet-set. The truth was quite different:
the relationship between Claus and Diana wasn’t good and Diana was not happy. But she
kept her image as the pretty glamour-girl always smiling and presenting horses in elegant
robes. Many circus goes does probably remember the circus princess much better than the
horses she presented! In 1986 she married the Polish acrobat Marek Zielinski. Diana and
Marek adopted the twins Dawid and Nadia. However, the relationship with Marek broke in
1994. Marek left Benneweis for some years. However, today he is back as ring manager.
Diana at her
debut in the ring in 1962. Photo: Arne Magnussen
Diana as
many will remember her. A beautiful girl surrounded by beautiful horses. Photo: Arne Magnussen
When Eli
Benneweis passed away in 1993 Diana inherited the circus after her father. Many Danes was
surprised and had expected the heirs to be Diana and her two cousins Kim and Miller
Benneweis. Many were sceptical and believed that such a glamour girl couldn’t survive
in the hard circus business. But Diana was much more than a beautiful girl and managed to
run the circus. Kim and Miller were less happy with the new owner and in August 1995 Kim
Benneweis left the circus with short notice. By the end of the season also Miller left
Circus Benneweis.
However,
Diana could manage the circus without her cousins and presented several times splendid
performances with a lot of new thinking. Performances such as the impressive Classic &
New Wave from 2000 where especially the pierced hula-hoop-star Denise Randol shocked part
of the audience and the performance Super Girls from 2001 being an all-woman performance.
Also in the later years Diana have had courage enough to present performances as she like
a performance to be. In this connection she for several years decided not to have liberty
horses or other horses on her program. ” Every circus in Denmark has horses –
and why should we be exactly as the rest? I love horses – especially if the can run
free on the fields, playing, kicking and being happy …” Diana told me in 2006.
To skip the horse act might have been at bit too much for the tradition loving Danish
circus audience out of which many believe that a horse act is a must for a circus. As a
matter of fact Circus Benneweis does in 2007 have horses (ponies) at the program. And a
very good act!
I 2002 Diana
Benneweis gave the newspapers as well as the audience a shock when she openly admitted
that she had mental problems and for a short while had been a patient at a mental
hospital. The news was followed by a book Alting har
sin pris (There is a price on everything) from 2002 and Livet bliver ikke genudsendt (Lift is not repeated) from
2006. Especially the last book discloses that her illness (she is manic depressive) has
been quite serious. But Diana has learned to live with her sickness and is still in charge
of the now 120 years old Circus Benneweis, assisted by her boyfriend Freddy .
Congratulations
to Diana with the birthday. You are a girl with a lot of courage and we thrust that you
skilfully assisted by your boyfriend Freddy will continue to run the circus until the time
when you two kids are prepared to take over and you are prepared to retire from the
business world. May the future be bright for you, Freddy, Dawid and Nadia!
Diana is out
of town on her birthday. But her birthday will be celebrated in Aarhus on 13 July being
Nadia and Dawid Benneweis’ 20 years’ birthday and the day the circus has decided
to celebrate their 120 years anniversary.
Diana
Benneweis 2006. Photo:
Arne Magnussen
8 June 2007
Problems for
German Circus Renz Berlin at Nivaa. In Danish
newspapers you have several times within the last couple of weeks read about problems with
a group of youngsters in the Copenhagen suburb Nivaa. The Danish circuses are reading
Danish newspapers and some of them had earlier years had disappointing experiences in
Nivaa. Thus, they will consider very carefully if a visit to Nivaa is a good idea. But the
tiny German family circus Renz Berlin which have toured Denmark sine July 2006 seems not
to be familiar with the situation in Nivaa and decided to visit the town from 4 to 6 June.
A visit which they will remember for long! Problems
started when they arrived at the lot on 4 June. Some local kids wanted to feed the
elephants. And that isn’t aloud by the Renz-people. Then the youngster according to
Mandy Renz threw soft roles with pieces of broken glass into the elephant tent. However,
the Renz people took up the soft roles before the elephants were injured. According to the
Renz people the youngsters became more and more provocative. According to the youngsters
the circus people bothered them with racist shouting. After the performance Wednesday nigh
thing went really wrong. According to a witness between 20 and 30 youngsters run in
direction of the circus, some of them wearing some sort of hand weapons (not guns!). A
Renz employee became upset and started a tractor trying to run down the young kids.
Unfortunately he hit a 20 year old female employee from the circus who was running in
direction of the youngsters with a club. She was severe injured. The local kids blame the
circus for the episode and the circus blame the local kids most of which are so called
second generation immigrants.
German
Circus Renz-Berlin. It’s a small family affair with several animals and a limited
number of performers. On some places they are using a larger tent.
5 June 2007
Nordic
Juggling Congress. At the
Whitsun holiday a Nordic juggler congress took place in Köge. Among the performers was John Nations, the Tin Can Company http://www.tincancompany.dk/ (no
juggling, but very entertaining) Johan Wellton http://www.johanwellton.com/, Clown Tape (Henrik Rasmussen) http://www.klovnentape.dk, Leo Sicard http://www.leopole.net, Loyal
Club (Pall and Mugge) http://www.loyalclub.dk/
and Frida Brinkmann (2006 IJA Bouncing Balls
winner) http://www.bouncepage.com/competition.html,
4 June 2007
Royal command performance at Circus Benneweis. Circus
owner Diana Benneweis has decided to donate the entire income from a
gala performance on 8 September in Copenhagen to the national association SIND. SIND’s
purpose is to improve the conditions for psychiatric patients. The Danish crown princess
Mary is patroness of the association. And the crown princess who is extremely popular in Denmark
has promised to attend the gala performance. Ticket’s can be ordered at telephone +
45 40 40 20 20 or by clicking at this link
Also in 2006
the crown princess attended a gala performance in Circus Benneweis. Photo: Arne Magnussen
1 June 2007
Clown Festival 2007 Svendborg. From 23 - 27 May an international clown festival took
place at Svendborg at the Funen Island. Similar festivals have for several years been held
once a year at Svendborg. A large number of clowns from all over Europe participated in
the 2007 festival. The circus photographer Lise Kokholm has sent me the photos shown below
from the festival.
Photos
from this years international clown festival. Photographer: Lise Kokholm
24 May 2007
European
Circus Camp 2007 in Denmark. From 1 to 7 July a European Circus Camp with
participants from different countries will take place in Selde, Nordsalling in Jutland. Einar
Trie of Circus Charlie has for a number of years arranged such camps, however
until now mainly for Danish kids and youngsters. The Circus camp is this year expanded
with one day. Accommodation and show with Circus Charlie will be Sunday 1 July and the
Circuscamp will end the following Saturday 7 July with 3 shows. A number of professional
artists will train the kids in various forms for circus acts. Price: 110 EUR include
Circusschool, food and camping in own tent or camping wagon. Click here
for further information. Or call Camp Leader Steffan Trie at +45 23 42 42 20
21 May 2007
20 May was opening
night for Zirkus Nemo, owned by the Danish
actor and comedian Soren Ostergaard. Zirkus Nemo is a
travelling variety-show. Apart from Soren Ostergaard you will meet some good circus artist
in the performance. The best acrobat acts was the
handstand acrobat Glenn Nicolodi and
his tiny dog and the comical acrobats Duo Blind
Date (Svetlana and Konstantin Dementiew). Especially their rola-bola act with Svetlana
dressed as a lion trainer and Konstantin as an office worker with briefcase is very funny.
Most hula-hoop entrées are done by young and slim girls. The comedy hula-hoop dancer Viktoria Lapidus
is not slim! But she presents a very entertaining entrée doing the splits. Caroline Schroeck makes
a nice and a bit different trapeze act and the clown and contortionist Kotini JR. have a couple of run-ins. The rest of
the performance is done by Soren Ostergaard presenting a number of entertaining sketches.
Most of the easy to understand also for a non-Dane. This
year Zirkus Nemo is at Charlottenlund north
of Copenhagen until 30 June and will after that continue to Svendborg (4 July -
15July), Horsens (17 July - 28 July), Aarhus (31 July - 18 August) and Aalborg (28 August
- 8 September). Link to ticket ordering (language English).
Soren
Ostergaard in a sketch with ’the dancing wienerbreds’.Photo Zirkus Nemo/Steen
Brogaard
Duo Blind Date in their
great rola-bola entrée. Photo: Zirkus Nemo/Steen Brogaard
The
comical hula-hoop dancer Viktoria Lapidus. Photo:
Zirkus Nemo/Steen Brogaard
17 May 2007
As previous
years Einar Trie’s Circus Charlie from
Jutland are in last weeks of May visiting Charlottenlund 5 miles north of downtown
Copenhagen. It is Circus Charlie’s season number 20. By tradition the clowns RED and BLUE are the
leading figures during the performance. This year Einar Trie himself plays the character
BLUE. RED is the Danish entertainer and musician Henrik
Silver. Apart from RED and BLUE the
audience meets Adreis family (Oksana
Ržišceva with her son Emils Ržišcevs and her daughter Elvira
Ržišceva) from Riga in Latvia with foot juggling (dressed as apes), Risley
acrobatic and Emil as juggler with sticks. The family was with Charlie some years ago and
toured with Danish Circus Arli in 2005. Katya (Ekaterina Mikhaylova) from
the Moscow Circus present a fine sword balancing act and an act in vertical rope. She
toured Denmark with Circus Baldoni a couple of years ago. Other performers at the show are
Jevgenijs Tomilovs, Kristine Maskina, Genadijs Kantorovics, Natalija Bragina and Tatjana
Kutnevska, all of them from Latvia. And not to forget: Einar Tries wife Vibeke Hördum
who apart from being in charge of the ticket office takes part in an illusion entrée. The
performance run for 2 hours and is an all-human performance. It is accompanied by a
3 pieces band.
Circus
Charlie will stay at Charlottenlund until 28 May. Visit What's
on
to see where and when you can find Circus Charlie and other circuses in Denmark.
At
Circus Charlie things are red and blue. The clown Red tells
the audience that the red-painted seats are the best seats and that there a most fun in
the red-painted part of the ring. Try to guess Blue’s
opinion! Click here to see a slideshow from the performance.
16
May 2007
On
their way back from WM in tight wire in Korea the tight wire stars The Simets
(László Simet and his wife Olga) visited the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. The
couple has special relations with the museum as the first bike they used for their outdoor
motorbike tight wire act is on display at the museum together with some of their dresses
and a monitor showing their performance in 2001 in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.
László remembered that the bike sometimes had some problems by starting. Not very
convenient when you are balancing at a tight wire 21 meter over the ground!
László
Simet’s motorbike
16
May 2007
Bachelor
programme Circus Arts. Guido Severien of Codarts, University
of Professional Arts Education in Rotterdam, has asked me to publish the following: Are
you creative, physically talented and adventurous? Do you have a passion for the circus,
and do you aspire to a career in the circus world? If so, you can enter the Circus Arts
programme of Codarts, University of Professional Arts Education. This bachelor’s
programme is the first study programme to train circus artists at the highest level in the
Netherlands. Circus Arts is a four year bachelor study programme for both specialists and
generalists and aiming for a high level of skills. Circus Arts integrates circus and other
arts disciplines of the Rotterdam Conservatoire and the Rotterdam Dance Academy. Circus
Arts also offers the possibility to experience other art disciplines like dance, music,
and music theatre.
Apply
now for the auditions Circus Arts at Codarts, University of Professional Arts Education in
Rotterdam, deadline June 8 2007. The auditions will take place between Monday June 18 and
Friday June 22 in Rotterdam. If you want to apply for the auditions,
please send the application form with enclosures to Codarts, University of Professional
Arts Education, Central Student Administration, Kruisplein 26, 3012 CC Rotterdam, the
Netherlands. For more
information: click here or send an email to circusarts@codarts.nl
14
May 2007
New Circus
Festival 2007. For more
than 25 years Copenhagen International Theatre (KIT) has presented international
performing arts in Denmark and collaborated with a huge amount of international partners.
Now Copenhagen International Theatre has decided to dedicate some of the current work to
focus on the establishment of a favourable milieu for the development of the New Circus
field in Denmark.
KIT, the
Copenhagen International Theatre, will in 2007 present a New Circus festival in Copenhagen
as they have done for many years. The festival will take place in August.
Opening
the festival will be the Australian New Circus troupe Acrobat with their performance “smaller, poorer, cheaper”. The title is the essence of the show. "smaller, poorer, cheaper" is the naked truth
(in all senses of the word) from some of the worlds best acrobats living "on the
edge" of normality and society. In this new production searing guitars meet naked
screaming bodies telling very personal stories. For some of us - just mind blowing.
From
Acrobat’s performance. Photo by courtesy of KIT
Next troupe
will be the Danish New Circus company Royal Bones with
their performance FUSK, staged by the Swedish director Lars Rudolfsson. The performance
will be showed at the castle Kronborg (Hamlet’s castle) in Elsinore.
Four musicians stand up and one raises her hand to
speak. Will sweet music arise in the space between body and lyricism? Are the circus
artists piercing loneliness with her weightlessness? The story begins telling itself - a
unique blend of circus acts, outstanding experimental pop played live and a burlesque of
Shakespeare's Hamlet at the fascinating site of Kronborg Castle.
Performering
artist are Rasmus
Aitouganov, Lars Gregersen, Mille Lundt, Josephine Wulff Randrup, Camila Sarrazin, Scott
Ackerman, Hanne Raffnsře, Maja Romm, Henriette Groth and Johan Segerberg.
Photos
from Fusk. Photographer: Martin Skoog
Known from Cirque O, Que Cir Que and Cirque,
former circus artist, poet and mentor Ueli Hirzel has created some of the most
aesthetically simple, beautiful and technically brilliant work in the new circus genre.
Now he returns after months in the Chilean Andes rehearsing with 6 sensational Chilean
trapeze artists who as Cirque’s inhabit their aerial cage with
astonishing acts while reflecting on live and death in a country where expressions such as
freedom, longing, searching, regretting and daring are words, which have a completely
different meaning.
Combining
the Finnish quirkiness and edginess, a phenomenal cinematic landscape and some jaw
dropping tricks and stunts, the unpronounceable duo of Ville Walo and Kalle Hakkarainen
take us on a magical, surreal journey through the city.
The
Portuguese solo artist Joao
P. Pereira Do Santos is not just "king of
the Chinese pole" with some mind blowing and seemingly impossible feats of acrobatics
defying laws of gravity. Together with a musician who creates a pulsating and trembling
electronic sound environment, the pole becomes Joao's partner, mistress, confessor and
master - his alter ego - an almost mystical and life enhancing duet in a performance
called O Ultimo
Momento.
Joăo P.
Pereira Dos Santos at his Chinese pole. Photo by courtesy of
KIT
Last performance during the festival will be Cantabile2 with
the performance "Bycircus Berserk". It is a theatrical circus
performance, in which a big silo situated in Copenhagen harbour is the stage and landscape
for a unique visual and sensual experience. The Performers from Cantabile 2 is joined by
some of most exciting circus artists in Europe. Together they bring life to a poetic
mixture of tragic-comical stories.
Click
here for link to
further information including possibility for ticket ordering.
13 May 2007
CIRQUE DU
SOLEIL now playing in Paris, May thru
June 2007. From Paris Zarro Zarro writes:
The BIG TOP
of the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL is planted near the STADE DE FRANCE, on the outskirts of Paris.
The program, called ALEGRIA /"joy" in Spanish/ features acrobats, clowns and
musicians -making it a top total event, well worth seeing. This is only one of the
productions, called CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, there are four others playing in Las Vegas,
according to my sources. The question is if this type of entertainment should be called
circus, as it differs a lot from the traditional one, having clown troupes and beautiful,
trained animals which perform stunts that come
natural to their species - which are in fact the only things that animals can be taught.
Maybe the question remains a purely academically one - as it cannot have any definite
answer. Surely the two types of circus entertainment will continue having their
audience!!!! - Click here for further info on Alegria in Paris
11 May 2007
Circus Arena 2007 is the title of a TV-program
which will be repeated several time at the Danish TV channel dk4: 11 May at 21:30, 12 May
at 5:30 and 23:00, 14 May at 17:00, 15 May at 12:00 and 18:30, 16 May at 01:00, 17 May at
10:00, 19 May at 04.:30 and 22 May at 11.
11 May 2007
The Danish actor,
comedian and ‘circus’owner Soren
Ostergaard can today celebrate his 50 years birthday. Apart from being a theatre and
movie actor he is involved in a travelling variety-show called Zirkus Nemo. It was established in 1999 and toured
until 2004. In 2005 and 2006 Soren Ostergaard presented a variety theatre performance in
Zirkus Nemo-style in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens.
Soren Ostergaard. Photo taken at the
clown festival at the amusement park Bakken in 2004
This year Zirkus Nemo will tour again with opening night at
Charlottenlund north of Copenhagen on 17 May. The show will stay at Charlottenlund until
30 June and will after that continue to Svendborg (4 July - 15July), Horsens (17 July -
28 July), Aarhus (31 July - 18 August) and Aalborg (28 August - 8 September).
Zirkus Nemo’s tent can seat 360 persons. In the performance
this year you will apart from Soren Ostergaard meet the German trapeze star Caroline Schroeck,
the handstand acrobat Glenn Nicolodi and his tiny dog, the
acrobats Duo Blind Date (Svetlana and
Konstantin Dementiew) from Ukraine, the comedy hula-hoop dancer Viktoria Lapidus
from Ukraine and the clown and contortionist Kotini
JR. (sometimes spelled Kontini JR).
Caroline Schroeck
has performed at a number of variety theatres in Germany. It is her first visit to Denmark.
Glenn Nicolodi’s charming act using a tiny
dog as assistant could be seen in German Circus Barum in 2001 and in Danish Circus
Benneweis in 2003. He has won several awards. However it is not true when you on some
websites can read that he was awarded a silver clown in Monte Carlo in 2005. Duo Blind Date has as far as I know not been in Denmark
before. Viktoria Lapidus is a comedy
hula-hoop dancer from the Moscow State Circus. It was at the Moscow State Circus that she
received her training. Since 1998 she has been living in Germany ( Hamburg), where she
successfully completed her degree as dance pedagogue and choreographer. She has performed
in Circuses as Roncalli, Fliegenpilz, Bush- Roland ant at several variety theatres. She
has also been performing in performing in the Tiger Lilies Circus. The clown Kotini
Junior participated in the International Clown Festival at Bakken north of Copenhagen
in 1996 and 2003. In 2003 he was awarded the festivals first price The
World Artist and Clown Award. A few months earlier he had together with Jigalov &
Csaba under the name Konstantin Junior received a silver clown in Monte Carlo. In 2005 he
took part in Soren Ostergaards variety in the Tivoli Gardens.
Kotini
Jr, photo taken at Bakken 2003
7 May 2007
Menestrellis.
When I on 4 May mentioned that Menestrellis
with their court jester’s dog theatre has joined Circus Benneweis where they will
stay until Benneweis close the 2007 season on 16 September I could unfortunately not find
a photo of the charming couple in my archives. Freddy Kolding of Circus Benneweis has now
provided me with the photos below, both taken by Arne Magnussen who for several years have
been Circus Benneweis favourite photographer.
4
May 2007
Lasse
”Bonbon” Norager celebrates his 25th anniversary. On
8 May 1982 the then 16 year old Lasse had his début as professional artist in the Swedish
Circus Regal. Thus, Lasse can celebrate his 25th anniversary when Circus Arena
on 8 May this year is in Hjorring in the northern part of Jutland.
Lasse
is born 20 July 1965
and grew up in the Copenhagen suburb Vaerlose. His farther Arne was art teacher at a
college of education and his mother Nina teacher at a local school. Lasse was very
interested in music and became only 9 years old member of the “Tivoli Garden
Guard” (a youth band) as percussionist. In 1982 he was offered a contract as run-in
clown with Swedish Circus Regal. His mom and dad were a bit reluctant but accepted
Lasse’s dream about becoming a circus clown.
After
Circus Regal Lasse continued making a life out of clowning. During a tour in 1986 with
Circus Finlandia in Finland he met his wife to be Tiina. First time the Danes met Lasse in
a Danish circus was in 1992 where he worked as reprise clown in Circus Benneweis and
together with Tiina presented their now famous comical badminton entrée. Bonbon was back
at Benneweis in 1994. 1999 was the first year he toured with Danish Circus Arena. Since
2001 Bonbon and Tiina has every summer season toured Denmark with Circus Arena where
Bonbon not only have run-ins as clown but also are arranging the music and the
light-setting. In the winter season Bonbon and Tiina can be seen in other leading circuses
in Europe such as Circus Krone in the Munich-building. In January this year Bonbon took
part of the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo where he was awarded an honorary price.
Lasse
and the fish. Photo from Circus Regal 1982. Photo by courtesy of Nina Norager
I
Tiina,
Princess Stephanie and Bonbon in Monte Carlo January 2007. Photo: Roy Himsel
4 May 2007
New dog act
for Circus Benneweis. First act
in this year's Benneweis performance was at the opening night Diana Vedyaskina with her trained dash dogs. A
nice act, although the dogs were that small and difficult to see unless seated at the
first row. And it was not an act with great charm. After three weeks Diana Vedyaskina for personal reasons decided to
leave Circus Benneweis. Circus owner Diana Benneweis has now engaged another act as
replacement: Menestrellis with the court
jester’s dog theatre – a young and charming couple from Rostov on Don in Russia
presenting 10 small and happy clown-dogs. Menestrellis
was also with Circus Benneweis in 2003.
1 May 2007
From
Paris Zarro Zarro tells: CIRCUS DIANA MORENO
BORMANN - performing all the year around in Paris.
This
circus has grown from a small one, playing in the green parks of Paris - to a middle-sized
circus playing the whole year on some ground that they can rent from the Paris City
Council. The Big Top is nicely decorated and the 900 seats offer a certain comfort -
important to be able to compete with other forms of entertainment. The activities include
special dinner-shows for various businesses and corporations, the concept is a pleasant
evening in attractive surroundings.
The
program features tigers, presented by Eric Moreno Bormann, a world-class juggling act
performed by his wife Alexandra, daughter of Marquis Pauwels. Furthermore: goats, dogs and
poneys in a very family-friendly act, a flock of 8 geese presented in the way we saw Annie
Fratellini use, exotics like camels, zebras, lamas and a yak, clowning in between each
act, a beautiful horse act, presented by Alexandra, hula hoop, acrobats on table and the
classical clown sketch "Little bee - give me honey". The audience consists
mainly of school-classes and groups from open air- and leisure centers, and as the program
and the clowning are geared towards ther younger kids, the feedback and reactions from the audience are excellent. On
the practical side, it is hard to get a good and suitable venue in Paris, as more and more
empty grounds are being built upon,the rent is fairly high, as the price of the square
meter is -- very high!
It
is worth noticing that it is unique in Europe that Paris offers a couple of circuses,
playing all the year around - as far as I know this has still to be seen in other
countries. When you visit Paris next time - have a look in l'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES, a
brochure mentioning every show /in news stalls, Euro O.35/. You will then see the circuses
advertising, look for headline "Pour les Jeunes" and "Cirques". Enjoy
the show !!!!!!!!!!
Click
here to get to the shows
website with further informations
Horses at
Circus Diana Moreno Bormann
27 April 2007
Circus Amara
is the name painted on some of the caravans used by the German family circus Renz-Berlin which for the time being is
touring Zealand. The explanation seems to be that German/Austrian Circus Amara belongs to
the same part of the large Renz family as Bernhard Renz who owns Circus Renz-Berlin. Apart
from a very old four pole tent Renz-Berlin is on some lots using a smaller two pole tent
which might come from Circus Amara.
The small
Renz-Berlin tent.
Amara-caravans.
Chained dog
at Amara-caravan. All photos taken at Solrod on 22nd April
26 April
2007
Not yet time for generational change at Circus
Benneweis. An article about Diana Benneweis
in the Danish newspaper BT could be read as Diana had decided to retire and hand over the
responsibilities to her children Nadia and Dawid. But such reading is a misunderstanding.
Diana confirms to me that the intention never has been that Nadia and Dawid here and now
should take over the responsibilities from their mother. The intention is that Diana
through a couple of years will teach the two kids how to run a circus. When this task has
been completed they can take over. Thus, Diana Benneweis is still the owner and manager of
Circus Benneweis.
25 April 2007
Circus and
artists in Paris. From Paris Zarro Zarro tells:
CIRCUS AND
VARIETY -- JOY AND ATMOSPHERE IN PARIS.
The
small entertainment enterprises are disappearing but they still exist, to some extent, in France.
The difficulties are legion: it is hard to find a good and convenient place for the show
within the towns - and the ground rent is high.
LES
GONTELLIS CIRCUS AND VARIETY SHOW perform in the parks of Paris from APRIL thru NOVEMBER,
featuring a pleasant program including antipodist-juggling, performing goats, cats and
mice /although not together .../, OPHELIA, 11 years old, performs acrobatics in a
ring/trapeze and there is magic with rabbits, clowning, unicycling and brass music
/trumpet and trombone/ and also club juggling. Mrs GONTELLI is Ringmistress, in France
called Madame Loyal. This is certainly not a sensational program, but a very pleasant one,
allowing parents and their children to have a nice afternoon together, since the program
is very family friendly. Showtime 75 minutes, entrance fee Euro 5, capacity of tent is
about 150 persons, fairly comfortably seated. All in all, it is a show of human
dimensions, a good, healthy entertainment where everything is TRUE and REAL, with no
faking and no false stardom which is too often seen in other contexts.
We
will extend our thanks and congratulations to the GONTELLIS FAMILY for continuing this
great tradition of popular entertainment. - Click here for link to Les
Gontellis’ website
-------------------------------------------------------
SHOWBOAT
METAMORPHOSIS IN PARIS.
The
French and international entertainer JAN MADD started this unique magic venue in Paris -
the year was 1990. Previously he had been performing his MAGIC SHOW in Circus Roncalli and
Circus Krone, Germany where he had lions, tigers and panthers in his show -
this
was roughly from 1964 thru 1970, then he had a career as a cabaret magician with an ACT
BLACK AND WHITE, featuring doves and big white billiard balls, an ACT that took him over
most of the world. With the same act he played various revues: Alcazar, Lido and Olympia
in Paris
At
the age of 45, he then decided to open the METAMORPHOSIS MAGIC SHOWBOAT, which has existed
since 1990 and --- up to this day. The Program is a mixture of big illusions with 2 Asian
girl assistants, there is lots of audience participation when performing smaller effects
such as the Razorblades, Cut and restored scarf, Penetrated glassplate and smaller dove
illusions. His wife and partner CHANTAL SAINT JEAN, stagename CHOUPINET intervenes
regularly in the show impersonating a clowngirl, performing a very charming act based on
the classical Umbrella Illusion, in a nice and pleasant setting.
The
Grande Finale consists of a super-big production: flags, flowers, streamers and ... the 2
assistants! A rain of soap-bubbles, a snowfall of confetti -- from the ceiling ... and ---
SUCCESS.
The
CONCEPT: A total event, Dinner-Show, Bar, French cuisine, Magic Show, Panoramic view over
the river Seine with view of the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral -- all on
board the tastefully decorated showboat. Point of Interest: A good, healthy entertainment
for all, adults and kids /children's show each Sunday PM/. Everything is geared, not
towards "magicians" but towards the great general audience. This is what
explains JAN MADD's success, together with the fact that this is UNIQUE IN EUROPE, the
only magic dinner show open all year around , playing 6 days a week. AN ABSOLUTE MUST --- when you visit Paris !!!!!! Click here for link
to website with further information. -
23 April 2007
The Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen has
given their website a facelift. You can now find much more information than before the
facelift. The languages are English and Danish. Click here to visit the website
22 April 2007
Sailing circus again on their way to Faaborg. Ann
Alakazam tells that the sailing new wave circus Aquanaut
most likely for the third year in row will visit Faaborg at the Isle of Funen. The local
city council has given a grant of 10,000 DKK (1,350 Euro) to the project. The performance
will most likely take place on 20 or 21 June. Artist and musician from several European
countries are members of the Aquanaut Company.
Aquanaut.
Photos taken in Faaborg in 2006 by Lise Kokholm
22 April 2007
The Fishing
and Family Park West in Hee
north of Ringkobing in the western part of Jutland will as earlier mentioned during the
season have elephant riding and circus performances as attractions. The park opened the
2007 season during the Eater holidays and until the summer holidays there will be elephant
riding every weekend at 12.00, 14.00 and 16.00.
On 2, 9 and
16 June there will be variety theatre performances produced and staged by Isabella Enoch. There will be show dancers from Denmark,
the comedians Fis & Ballade (Leon Nörgaard and Jens Hvidtved Larsen), the artists
Freddy Anthony, Martina, Bernhard, Melanie and Josefine Kaselowsky, Isabella Enoch, Edward
and David Sosman. Maybe also Jimmy Enoch will be part of the show.
During the
Danish summer holiday there will be circus performances lasting approximately one hour.
Here you will again meet show dancers, the elephant Rambo presented by Bernhard, Josefine
and Melanie Kaselowsky, the barber elephant Rambo, 6 camels presented by Josefine
Kaselowsky on horseback, cloudswing with Josefine and juggling done by Edward and David
Sosman. Furthermore you can meet the comedians Comedy and Limited (Bobby Dixon and
Anoushka), Isaballa Enoch tells. There seems to be good reasons for circus interested
tourist visiting Jutland to pay a visit to Fishing and Family Park West.
20 April
2007
Problems for
Circus Renz-Berlin. Circus
Renz-Berlin has toured Denmark since last summer. In February Circus Renz-Berlin had
rented a sports centre in Roskilde for their performances. But when the performance was
over they could not pay the agreed rent and was not willing to leave. The police had to
assist the local sport club owning the centre in getting the Renz people out of the
building. The club has never received the rent ant probably learnt always to demand
payment up front if an unknown foreign circus want to buy or rent something from you. A
pity for the majority of circus owners who always pay their debts.
A
few of days ago Renz people was involved in another incident: a couple of Renz employees
became very upset when Danish Circus Baldoni was setting up posters for a performance on
30 April in the town in which Renz-Berlin had decided to perform this week-end. They
attacked the Baldoni crew – a man and a female - using baseball-bats. The Baldoni
employees had to go to the hospital. The police are investigating the matter which might
result in 60 days in prison for the Renz-employees followed by expulsion from Denmark.
The German
family circus Renz-Berlin has problems with violent employees and unpaid bills. Despite
the size of the tent it is a small family circus with several animals but very few
artists.
20 April
2007
Good news from the Danish new wave
circus world. The two Danish new wave circus
companies Cikaros and TinCanCompany has received 450,000 DKK (33,500
Euro) in state subsidies for production of a new performance called Freaks. Performing
artists will be Camilla Becker Madsen, Michiel
van Leeuwen, Signe Löve Anderskov, Gry Lambertsen, Rune Andersen and Leo Sicard. Regi:
Mikala Bjarnov Lage. Opening night will be on 1 August. The performance will tour Denmark,
Holland and France in August and September.
19 April 2007
Lucy’s
reisendem Restaurant-Theater
should
be the name of a dinnershow established by Lucy Berdino in cooperation with Sönke
Krob. Lucy was for several years married to Jackie Berdino of Circus Arena but the couple
decided to split some months ago. The dinnershow is as far as I have been informed for the
time being in Haderslev where it will stay until Sunday 22 April.
18 April 2007
Circus No Name 2007.
The circusfriend Hand Vedel tells: On 17 April Luffe Bögh could welcome an invited audience to
dress rehearsal at the new circus program in Solbjerg. It is season number three the enterprising circus fans present great
entertainment in the TEAM LA flower and activity park situated 11 kilometres north of
Hadsund in Jutland.The
first year it was an outdoor performance with Bernhard Kasselowsky’s camels as main
attraction. In 2006 a tent was acquired and the main attraction was Sharon Folco with an
African elephant and 5 beautiful Frisian horses.
This year
the Team LA -crew are producing the entire performance themselves - and thanks for that!
For why book a single star attraction when you has a lot of beautiful animals in your own
stables and have engaged Bjoern Schult as
trainer – and what a great trainer! His liberty act starting with two horses at their
own and the supplemented by another two horses show what a gifted animal trainer can get
out of his horses. It is certainly the best act in the performance and second to none
liberty acts you can see in any other circus in Denmark. Other fine acts are Luffe Böghs
pony revue with 12 ponies and his funny act with a goat and a tiny pony. The clown Jesper who gets better and better fighted with
mules and donkeys reminding me of Carl Kossmayer. It was also nice to se that a pupil from
the institution No Name - Darja – was aloud to present ponies and also other pupils
took place in several acts.
All in all
No Name Circus 2007 present a good and entertaining and varied performance in the exiting
activity park in Solbjerg.
Ponies
in Circus No Name
Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys – ringmaster, animal trainer and artistically director
Jesper
the clown
15
April 2007
Wallmans dinnershow in the Copenhagen
Circus Building. A photographer from the newspaper
Politiken has created a very nice slide show from the performance. Click here for a link to the slide
show and click then at Wallmans – forklćdt som
tjener. In the performance you will meet 14 singers and dancers and 4 circus acrobats.
The singes and dancers but not the acrobats are also working as waiters.
13 April 2007
Circus
Baldoni had
its opening night at Lyngby on 12 April. First the mimic clowns Ibacala entered the stage (Baldoni is using a
stage in stead of a traditional ring). Then circus owner René Moenster welcomed the audience. As previous
years he is as ringmaster assisted by an assistant: this year Martin Maiböll, also known as Texas Jack. René
asked Martin to find an elephant for his circus and Martin left for his elephant hunt. First act in the performance was Maria Picard in a hula hoop entrée in which a
small dog participated in a most charming way. Then Rene Moenster assisted by Leonardo the
Lion (a ventriloquist’s doll) introduced a Slinky-act with Miss Ernita Barbi and her mother. Then Martin came back
from his elephant hunt bringing an elephant which the directors for good reasons said
looked like a dressed-out vacuum cleaner. It could blow up a giant balloon used for the
traditional and popular entrée where a man climbs into
the balloon. Then the Ibacala-clown was back with a fine mimic entrée showing that they
also are very skilled acrobats. The clowns were followed by Maria Picard in a nice entrée in vertical rope.
Then Martin Maiböll entered the stage with yodel-entrée. Last act before the interval
was the skilled Kenyan tumblers Mombasa Boys
with a limbo-act. After the interval Martin Maiböll presented another act with Mombasa
Boys: mast acrobatics. Then we met Mr. Richter in
a comical dance routine where he was dressed as a couple. Then came the Ibacala-clown with
the best act in the performance: a great comical trapeze act. Martin Maiböll entered now
the stage as Texas Jack with his popular Wild
West entrée. After a short run-in with the Ibacalas The Baldonis (the owners Thessa and René
Moenster) entered the stage with a fine illusion act including a perfect version of the
substitution trunk. The last act in the performance which runs for 2 hours was a human
pyramid building act with Mombasa Boys. Click here to se a slideshow with photos from the performance.
11 April 2007
The Danish
dog and pony show Circus Mascot had its opening
night in Roslev in the northern part of Jutland on 29 March. In this year’s
performance you will meet Daniel with cube
rola-bola, his smaller brother Andreas in a
diabolo-entrée, Jess Deleuran with his ponies,
Marianne Deleuran with her dogs, Miss Prymachenko in arial straps, the jugglers Ulmas and Daniel, the clowns Gulio (alias Ulmas) and Andreas, Marianne with the
sleeping horse Ricky, Maria in arial ring and
the plate spinning juggler Zdenek. Ulmas
(Gulio) and his wife Prymachenko have been with Mascot since 2003. Maria and Zdenek toured
with Circus Mascot in 2003 but was not with Mascot in 2004-2006
Marianne
with the sleeping horse Ricky.
11 April 2007
Artist in Danish amusement parks. In 2006 five of the
Danish amusement parks offered circus performance as free attractions when entrance fee to
the park was paid: Bonbonland, Sommerland Syd, Sommerland Sjaelland, Djurs Sommerland and
Team LA parken. In addition to this Faarup Sommerland presented a sealion and parrot show
with Tina and Johnny Dubsky.
But for season 2006 Sommerland Syd,
Sommerland Sjaelland as well as Djurs Sommerland has skipped the circus entertainment. And
Faarup Sommerland has skipped the sealion and parrot show.
At Bonbonland you will still in main season be able
to see a circus performance. Furthermore there will be performing sealions every day
during the season. In the Team LA parken at
Baelum north of Hadsund in Jutland the audience can again this year from 18 April meet Circus
No Name. As something new The Fish- and Family park
West at Hee close to Ringkoebing in the Western part of Jutland will present Bernhard
Kasselowsky, his camels and his elephant Rambo. In the main season there will also be
other artists making it a real circus performance.
Copenhagen's
famous Tivoli Gardens stopped two year agro to present acrobat acts as free attraction.
Also Tivoli
Friheden in Aarhus has skipped acrobat performances at their open air stage. Bakken north
of Copenhagen has only artist performance when they for one week in the beginning of
August are presenting a clown festival.
10 April 2007
The
horse trainer Suzanne Berdino of Circus Arena
(the owner Benny Berdino’s daughter) has just published a book: Hestekunster – laer din hest at lave sjove
tricks (Horse tricks – teach your horse how to make funny tricks). The hard copy
book has 88 pages with a lot of illustrative photos. The language is Danish. Publisher is
Gyldendal being the leading publisher in Denmark.
Suzanne
Berdino with some of Circus Arena’s horses. Photo: Circus Arena/Christian Warder
9 April 2007
Clown festival
at Bakken (amusement
park north of Copenhagen). After the 11th
international clown festival at Bakken in August last year the festival’s
artistically director through all the years Benny Schumann informed Bakken that hey had to
find somebody else to bee artistically director if they wanted to continue with the
festival. Luckily enough Bakken decided to keep the festival however in a new format
without international performers and running only for one week. Ringmaster will be Sir Benny (Benny Fjeldsoe). He will introduce
the Danish clowns and artists Mr. Toons, David Skunk, Don Carlos, Tapé
the clown, Dr. Bo and Tonny Trifolikom. The festival will take place
from 31st July to
5th August.
Paul Arland passed away. The dean of Danish
magicians Paul Arland passed away on 5th April. Paul Arland was born on 30
March 1921. For some time he had not been feeling quite well and those who met him at
Circus Arena’s opening night in Copenhagen on 20 March and Circus Benneweis opening
night in Hilleroed on 22 March got the sad feeling that is probably would be the last time
they met Paul. As magician Paul Arland had toured most of the world as the merry
fisherman. He had performed at Ed Sullivan’s famous TV-show in New York and together
with celebrities as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Later he became artist agent at
Glaesnershow and later again producer for the Danish television.
Paul Arland.
Photo from a seminar at the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, in October 2003.
7 April 2007
Preben Palsgaard 30 year as professional ventriloquist.
The best ventriloquist in Denmark, Preben Palsgaard, could on 1 April celebrate his 30
year anniversary as professional performer. Years ago you could frequently see him in
Danish Television. Unfortunately none of the Danish TV channels are making much use of
artist anymore. In 2005 and 2006 Preben toured with the Danish Circus Krone.
Preben
Palsgaard with his talking shoe. Photo taken in Circus Krone in 2006
6 April 2007
Irene Thierry of Danish Circus Krone 60 years old on
14 April. On 14 April the owner of the smallest of the regular touring circuses in
Denmark Irene Thierry can celebrate her 60 years birthday. Her dog and pony show tours
mainly in Jutland and Funen. On 14 April Circus Krone will be in the small village of
Uldum giving an ordinary performance at 4 p.m. Irene’s late father Regner teached her
not to miss a show just because you passed a birthday with a round figure! Circus Krone
was founded in 1939 by Irene’s father Regner
Thierry. In 1984 Irene took over the show assisted by her sons Frank and Mark and her
brother Ricard. Today she is also assisted by her husband Jan Allan who besides presenting
his ponies is the kids’ favourite as Allando the clown. Apart from the family members
Circus Krone always present a couple of foreign acrobats of good standrad.
Irene
Thierry together with her husband. Photo taken in Paris during a visit earlier this year.
Photo by courtesy of Circus Krone.
5 April 2007
Circus
Dannebrog 2007. About a
month ago Isabella Enoch called me and was sure that I could get her the text as well as
the music to the song ”Come to the Circus”
from the movie ”The greatest show on earth”.
This years Dannebrog-permance, which was presented to the press in Odense on Maundy
Thursday, learned me shat the song was to be used for: The show was opened by the Circus
Dannebrog ballet and one of the Nicol-brothers singing Come to the Circus. A great start for at
performance staged by Isabella Enoch in the fancy and elegant show-stile which is her
trademark. After circus owner Haddy Enoch had
welcomed the audience his youngest daughter (Isabella’s sister) Katja Enoch entered the ring and presented
assisted by head groom Rachid Nouri Circus
Dannebrog’s beautiful horses in a nice liberty entrée. The act was closed by the
entrée Big (horse) and Small (pony). Next act was the first of The Quiddler’s run-ins. A nice and different
entrée in ‘dwarf-format’ although the two Quiddlers when not dressed up are
fully grown up persons. Then a charming young Spaniard Nicol Nocols showed what he was able to do on
tight wire including a perfect made backwards somersault. Next in the ring was the Italian
juggler Moressa Marco. He was followed in
another run-in by The Quiddlers clearly inspired by Michael Jackson. As their previous entrée a very nice and
entertaining act. The antipodian (foot juggler) Miss
Zendy used a motorbike as trinka in her spectacular act. It is difficult to day to
find classical musical clowns. But Circus Dannebrog tries to keep the tradition up and
presented this year Los Nicols – a white
faced clown and two Augusts’. Apart from playing music they presented the classical
boxing robot entrée. First act after the interval was the Qiddlers with an Elvis-inspired
entrée. Then the circus ballet introduced The
flying Costas in flying trapeze. A fairly
short act with only two flyers and one catcher. But they were charming and skilled and
made a double as well as a triple! Senorina
Priscilla from Italy presented a charming hula hoop act. She was followed by the young
juggler Michael Olivares. Then you met Curatola Brothers in a fine acrobat and handstand
entrée. Last act in the performance was 3 Indian elephants presented by only 17 years old
Elvis Errani who neither used whip nor elephant
stick. The performance run for 2 hours 15 minutes was accompanied by Ryszard Murakowki’s 6 man band –
probably the best circus band in Denmark this year.
The Errani
elephants. Click here to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance.
3
April 2007
Circus
Krone.
Denmark’s probably smallest regular touring circus, Circus Krone, will have its
opening night on 10 April at Törring in Jutland. Then year you can meet the Waradi Family from Budapest with traditional
juggling as well as foot juggling, with a vertical rope entrée and presenting a dog act.
From Bucharest comes Troup Badea presenting a
teeter-board act and doing balancing including juggling. The kids will love to meet circus
owner Irene Thierry’s husband Jan Allan
presenting his ponies and as Allando the clown.
Irene will probably assist him in some of the clown entrées.
3 April 2007
Circus Arli had opening night in the Copenhagen
suburb Flöng on 1 Aril. ”COMMEDIA
DELL´ARLI - romantic and poetic performance make the small Circus Arli a great
adventure”, the largest Danish Newspaper Ekstra
Bladet wrote in their review. Is is a true statement. After circus owner Soren Arli
had welcomed the audience Ailona pretended a very nice hula hoop entrée. The
ringmistress Bettina Arli introduced her husband Martin as the magician Martino
Arligo. Next act was also a family act: Bettina and Martins talented son Alexander Arli with a fine step dance and
handstand entrée. He was followed by 2 Engeni
with a short but nice juggling act where father and son assisted each other in a most
charming way. Then Bettina wanted to introduce this season’s star performer: the
trampoline acrobat Jean Ferry. But sadly enough
Jean had disappeared and a young stage assistant (of cause Jean Ferry) had to try is luck
in the trampoline. It was very nice to see a comical trampoline entrée which not just
tried to be a copy of Don
Martinez’ famous drunken person entrée. After
the interval Vasily (Engeni junior)
has a short diabolo-entrée. Then you meet Olga Guseva in a spectacular entrée in
vertical rope. She was followed of the kid’s favourite: the musical clowns Martino
& co. (Martin and Alexander Arli) in a very charming entrée. Last act in the
performance was Jean Ferry in a ladderbalancing entrée
superior to many other ladder balancing acts. Not doubt shat Circus Arli’s audience
in the coming season will be pleased with the performance running for a little less than
two hours.
Martin
Arli
with the old concertina he
last year got as a present from the old bike acrobats Leif & Anna Conradi. Click here
to see a slideshow with more photos from the performance.
30 March 2007
Circus
Dannebrog had its
opening night in Vojens on 29 March. Stefan Rothmann has sent me the photos shown below
from the performance. The press is invited to see the performance 5 April in Odense. A
review of the performance can be seen on this page when it is updated on 7 April.
Katja Enoch
with some of Circus Dannebrog’s horses. Photo: Stefan Rothmann
Quiddlers as
Michael Jackson. Photo: Stefan Rothmann
Elvis Errani
with his three elephants. Photo: Stefan Rothmann
27 March 2007
Circus
Benneweis in Copenhagen
Maundy Thursday. Ordinary Circus
Benneweis will not visit Copenhagen until September when the season is closed at the
circus lot ”Bellahoej”. But visitors to Copenhagen who can’t wait until
then to see the 120 years jubilee performance will this year have the chance on Maundy
Thursday 5 April where the circus can be seen at a downtown parking lot at Mitchellsgade
at 19. – Click here for link to an arial photo of the lot Beneweis is going to use.
It has never before been used by a circus.
25 March 2007
Circus
Benneweis 2007.
It is season number 120 for Circus Benneweis. This does not make Benneweis the oldest
circus in the world. But no other circus has for that many years been owned by the same
family. The present owner is the great granddaughter of the founder Gottfried Benneweis.
The 120 years jubilee is celebrated with a very good performance.
As
in 2006 Judy Glosted is the charming
ringmistress. First act is Diana Vedyaskina
with her trained dachshunds. Incredible what she with love and titbits has been able to
teach her tiny dogs. Next act is the Russian reprise clowns Bobylevs with the first of many fine and original
run ins where Ms. Olga suddenly enter the ring as Alexey’s legs! Next act is the
Spanish tight wire acrobat Miguel Ferreri who
with Spanish temper is able both to skip, jump and make a backward as well as the
difficult forward salto. Then Karl Ferdinand Trunk
enter the ring with ponies of all sizes, large ones as well as tiny ones. They are not
only able to do the traditional liberty tricks but even to sit in a chair , bob up and
down on a seesaw, ride a merry-go-round and go to bed. A great act which also the kids
loved. Then came Miss Kai with her
"Ceiling work”. Then Bobylevs was
back with another fine entrée where the played Ping-Pong, Alexey using his mouth in stead
of a table tennis racket. Last act before the interval was Fausto Scorpions with a Risley act also involving
members from the audience. Very entertaining and charming. After the interval Christian and Alex Gärtner presented their wheel
of dead. They were followed by Bobylevs in an
entrée which you could call the living grand piano. Then Karl Ferdinand Trunk was back with an entertaining
act with pigs, goats and dogs. The next Bobylevs
run in could be called the Swann-lake. The clowns were followed by the brothers Christian and Alex Gärtner and their two Indian
elephant. A very pleasant act presented without whips or elephant sticks. Last act in the
performance was the world fastest juggler Mario
Berousek juggling with high speed with up to 7 clubs.
Karl
Ferdinand Trunk and his ponies on the seesaw. Click here to see a slideshow from the performance. (The slideshow
will not be completed until 26 March at noon).
23 March 2007
Larbi can celebrate his 60 years birthday. Circus
Benneweis’ popular boss canvasman Larbi Bouhou
can on 26 March celebrate his 60 years birthday. Circus Benneweis can on this day be found
at Hilleroed 35 kilometres north of Copenhagen. Larbi is born in Morocco and has worked
for Circus Benneweis since 1973. For the last 6 years he has been boss canvasman. He is
married to another highly valued Benneweis employee: Margit, who is boss in the ticket
office.
Larbi Bouhou
seen together with Dawid Benneweis. Photo by courtesy of Diana Benneweis
23 March 2007
Circus
Benneweis had
its seasons opening at Hillerod on 22 March. A review with photos can be seen at this page
from Sunday 25 March round noon. Circus Arena had its season opening in Copenhagen on 20
March. A review can be seen when this page is updated next week.
23 March
2007
Not Thai and
India. Several
Danes do remember the two Benneweis elephants Thai and India, which were sold in 1995.
Several persons believe that Thai and India now are owned by the Gärtner brothers who
this season are touring with Circus Benneweis. However Diana Benneweis told me months ago
that the Gärtner elephants weren’t her old elephants. But I have met some persons
who believe that Diana was misinformed. Now one of the old elephant grooms Henrik Moeller
has visited Circus Benneweis. And he would certainly be able to recognise his old friends.
Henrik’s statement is crystal clear: The Gärtner elephants are not Thai and India.
18 March 2007
Film about
Carl Mundeling. The Danish
author and filmmaker Jorgen Lorenzen is preparing a documentary about the wild animal
trainer Carl Mundeling. The association of Danish artist has just granted him 2,000 Euro
for the project. Carl Mundeling is born in 1969 as son of the high school horse rider and
circus owner Viola Mundeling who for many years was involved in circus business in Norway.
In
1986 Viola Mundeling together with her mother Erna Mundeling re-established Circus
Mundeling in Danmark. The circus closed after season 1987. Viola and her son then worked
some years for Danish Circus Arena and Norwegian Circus Merano. The later years Carl
Mundeling has worked for circuses in Germany and Italy. The founder of the Mundeling
circus family was Erhardt
Gustaf Mundeling (1860-1947) who founded the Danish Circus Mundeling in 1897. His
circus toured until 1926.
19 March 2007
Katja
Schumann in Herning.
in connection with The National Stallion Show 2007 in
Herning in March 2007 Katja did on Friday 9 March Katja assisted by Morten Thomsen and Ute
Lehman show the audience how a modern horseman can train his horse using some of the
methods used in circuses. Furthermore Katja rode high school and documented that she still
is a world class artist. She received standing ovations! A lot of people from the Danish
circus world saw the performance including Diana Benneweis with her daughter Nadia and
several members of the Enoch family. Katja
Schumann has lived in USA
since her fathers Circus M. Schumann stopped touring after season 1982 .
16 March 2007
Katja Enoch of Circus
Dannebrog 40 years old on 21 March. Katja Enoch
is then youngest of Solveig and Haddy Enoch’s 4 children. She is a true circus child
who has been growing up in Circus Dannebrog and has participated in numerous performances
since the Enoch family re-established Circus Dannebrog in 1977. She is trained as a
multi-artist and has taken part in the family’s bicycle act, performed in vertical
rope and roman rings, as a magician and as a dancer. Since 2002 she has been Circus
Dannebrog's horse trainer and is especially fond of liberty acts.
Katja Enoch
15 March2007
Circus Arli
which has its season opening on 1 April in Flöng has released their 2007 program. As in
the later years circus owner Soren Arli's daughter in law Betting will be ringmistriss. 2
ENGENI is
called an outstanding juggler duo. JEAN FERRY will present ladder balancing and AILONA a
hula hoop-entrée. The audience favourites MARTINO & CO. (Martin,
Alexander and Bettina Arli) is classical musical clowns. MR. JEAN presents a comical trampoline act. ALEXANDER ARLI
is a skilled handstand acrobat. His father MARTIN ARLI is a gifted magician.
OLGA GUSEVA performs in vertical rope. VASILY
present a diabolo entrée.
Olga Guseva.
Photo taken in Swedish Circus Olympia 2006
15 March 2007
Animals in
circus. In the
summer 2003 the Danish ministry of justice considered a ban of elephants and sea lions in
circuses. However the plan was put on hold. Then minister has now set up a committee which
task it is to evaluate the conditions for animals in circuses and come up with a proposal
for rules in this subject. The Danish circus owners are in the committee represented by
Suzanne Berdino of Circus Arena.
14 Marts
2007
The Danish
Gentleman Thief Kenny Quinn has for
more than 20 years together with his wife Joan been known under the artist name Quinn
although the couple’s family name was Kim and Joan Thygesen. But the Danish
authorities have now granted the couple the right to use the family name Quinn. The name
has also been granted to their son Jack, whose full name is Jack Elliott Quinn. The tiny
”gentleman Jack” is now almost 5 months old. He and his parents are doing well.
Action photo
of Kenny Quinn in the ring of Swedish Circus Olympia in the summer 2006. Please note:
Kenny is returning a “stolen” belt to his client.
14 March 2007
Circus
Baldoni which have
their opening night in Lyngby on 12 April has released their 2007 program: The super
acrobats from Kenya MOMBASA BOYS (not
the same troupe as presented in 2004 under the name Mombassa Boys), the Italian reprise
clowns IBACALA, BALDONI´s with illusions and
magical acts with animals, the arial acrobat MARIA
PICARD, the cube juggler MR. JURIJS, comical
dance with MR. RICHTER, the joyful Slinky MISS BARBI, the cowboy TEXAS JACK (Martin Maiböll) and last, but
not least, LEONARDO THE LION (a ventriloquist
doll).
23 February
2007
Circus Kenny
is by far the largest of the circus productions which shopping centres in Denmark during
the school children’s winter holidays have presented for their customers as free
attraction. The Danish circus author and film maker Jorgen
Lorenzen has provided me with the following review of the performance:
”It has for many years been a
fine tradition that Circus Kenny/Dannebrog a paying a visit to Odense’s Rosengaard
Shopping Centre a week during the school children’s autumn- and winter holidays. The
performance running for 45 minutes gave the audience appetite for more circuses! You could
surely feel that from the applause! The big news this time was Katja Enoch’s 9 year old daughter Nathalie having her début with her own act as
hula hoop girl. Also the other acts were new in Denmark: George Alexis, a brother of Tony, was August
together with his wife while a son was white-faced clown. They presented a mixture of
well-known clown entrées. George Alexis` make-up is much similar to the one used by Tony.
The 5 members of the Massoudi family (papa
Said, mama Heidi and their three sons) presented two good acts. First a juggling entrée
with three persons. The final trick was amassing: one of the jugglers are sitting at a
chair with hat, glasses and a cigarette while the clubs are getting that close to him that
all three items are thrown off. The troupe’s other entrée was a handstand act for 5
persons, starting with some parterre acrobatic. The final trick was the well-known with
the white
blocks being pushed away. Gina Giovannis made it and
the master above all, Encho, did it last year in Circus Arena.
The Enoch was apart from Nathalie
represented by Katja with big and small (horse
and pony) and Agnete Louise Enoch’s daughter Victoria
with 4 ponies.”
The photos
below are taken by the circus photographer Lise Kokholm and Stefan Rothmann of Circus
Dannebrog. Circus Kenny is produced by Haddy Enoch of Circus Dannebrog.
Katja Enoch
with one of Circus Dannebrog’s horses. Photo: Lise Kokholm
Victoria Enoch
with one of Circus Dannebrog’s ponies. Photo: Lise Kokholm
The Messoudi
Family. Photo: Stefan Rothmann
The entire
ensemble together with Solvej and Haddy Enoch. Photo: Stefan Rothmann
21 February
2007
Troubles for
Circus Renz Berlin. On 6
February 2007 I mentioned that Circus Renz Berlin
had wintered in Denmark and planned for a very early season opening: 17 and 18 February at
Himmelev. However despite the fact that their poster showed both a tent and lions and
tigers it turned out to be an indoor performance without wild animals (big cat acts are
not allowed in Denmark and Circus Renz Berlin have no such animals!) in a riding centre.
Apparently the Renz family was not aware of the fact that permission from the fire
authorities are required for such performances. First the permission was denied, later it
was given for no more than 200 spectators. Actually only about 50 persons attended the
performance. Circus Renz Berlin’s animals and some of their wagons are still parked
at a private owned lot in the Copenhagen suburb Herlev despite the fact that the circus 3
weeks ago was ordered to leave the lot within one week as keeping of animals apart from
pets are not allowed in the area. It seems not unlikely that Circus Renz Berlin is in deep
troubles and that we in a not to far future might see the end of what once was a
well-known and well-established circus.
20 February
2007
ECA meeting.
Arie Oudeness of ECA writes: We once again want to invite you to
visit the meeting which the ECA in association with FEDEC - the coordinating organisation
of professional circus schools organises on
SATURDAY 3 MARCH IN TOURNAI (Belgium).
The
meeting starts at 18.00 hours. During
that meeting we will speak with representatives of a number of circus schools of which
students will give a presentation during the ` Circle project’.
Before
the meeting we will visit the ‘Circle show’. This show starts at 16.00 hours. Place:
Maison de la Culture in Tournai, Boulevard
des Frčres Rimbaut. The
Circle festival gives a selection of 12 numbers, selected from the offer of 18
professional circus schools. Artists, school and country of origin and their discipline
you will see below:
-
Loďc Quesnel et
Kristina Dniprenko : roue allemande et bicyclette acrobatique (Ecole Nationale de
Cirque de Montréal - CDN)
-
Evelyne
Laforest : danse et acrobatie (Ecole Nationale de Cirque de Montréal - CDN)
-
Mathilde
Hueber : chaise aérienne (Arc en Cirque – Centre des Arts du Cirque de
Chambéry - FR)
-
Stéphane
Fillion : jonglerie massues (Ecole de cirque du Lido - FR)
-
équilibre (The
Circus Space - GB)
-
Kimmo Hietanen et
Anna Von Grünigen : fil mou et saxophone (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts du
Cirque de Chalons en Champagne - FR)
-
Peter Ĺberg et
Sergi Parés : main ŕ main (Danshögskolan University College of Dance - S)
-
Emma
Serjeant : acro cannes (National Institute of Circus Arts of Melbourne - AUS)
-
Jérémie
Arsenault : diabolo (Ecole de Cirque de Québec - CDN)
-
Thomas
Kleindienst : jonglerie chapeaux (Théâtre Cirqule – Ecole de Cirque de Genčve
- CH)
-
Jacqui
Levy : jonglerie balles rebond et rolla bolla (National Institute of Circus Arts of
Melbourne - AUS)
-
Vasil
Tasevski : manipulations d’objets, danse, acrobatie (Centre des Arts du Cirque
Balthazar ŕ Montpellier – FR
-
Intermčdes
entre les numéros : les élčves
de 1er année de l’Ecole Nationale de Cirque de
Rosny-sous-bois (FR)
The
Circle festival is the result of contact between the ECA and representatives of the FEDEC
schools. We looked for a way to present a large number of graduates at one place, so that
you yourself do not have go to visit all the different presentations of the schools. The acts that are presented can in the way they are
presented work in a travelling circus production. We hope that you can be present. With
that presentation the circus industry proves that it is important for them that young West
- European artists are working in their companies.
You
can also visit the show ‘Něbáo’.
That show starts at 20.00 hours in
same the theatre.
This
is a show presented by third year students of the ESAC school from Brussels.
When
you sign up in time at the ECA office, care we will care for tickets for the programmes
which you want to visit.
19 February
2007
MORE ABOUT
CIRCUS IN PARIS - ZARRO
ZARRO REPORTS:
CIRQUE ALEXIS
GRÜSS plays every
year in Paris, location Bois de Boulogne, where the tremendous big top structure is
installed. This circus was just a small family enterprise until the beginning of the
seventies, when André /Dédé/ Grüss and his son Alexis got in contact with the famous
theatre actress and promotor Silvia Monfort. This allowed them useful further contacts and
the result was that they got permission to play in the centre of Paris, particularly in
the old area of Le Marais where some empty building grounds could be found.
The
CIRQUE GRÜSS thus developed into LE CIRQUE NATIONAL, producing and presenting circus
performances on various themes, sometimes with the label "cultural exchange",
which allowed them to get big troups from China, among others. This THEME concept has been
kept - and this year we can see ALLEGRO SPORTISSIMO, a performance which is a dream of
lights, music, colors and physical performance.
Alexis
Grüss and his wife Gipsy, maiden name Bouglione, take part in the performance presenting
various tableaux and
splendid horseman-ship, the like of which we haven't seen since the days of Albert
SCUHMANN - at least is it so as far as I can see.
The
CIRQUE GRÜSS plays NOV thru MARCH, 5 shows a week, WED-SAT-SUN, all matinés except
Saturday evening. To get there: Métro to station Ranelagh, then 20 minutes' walk,
following the direction arrows. - Further
information at http://www.alexis-gruss.com/
15 February
2007
Circus
Dannebrog’s press agent Agnete Louise Enoch has kindly sent me their press release for the
coming season. From Spain comes The Nicol Family.
The family will present a traditional musical clown entrée and one of the younger members
of the family is a skilled juggler. But most sensational it is when one of the male
members of the family can be seen on tight wire, doing a salto backwards as well as
forwards! Form Italy the management has invited The
Errani Family. The Errani-named is well-known and respected in all circuses and they
will bring 3 large elephants to Denmark. Furthermore the family presents a spectacular
juggling entrée where a female artist lays on a motorbike doing foot-juggling. From Italy
comes The Curatola Brothers. The two
handstand acrobats come from an engagement with the famed German Circus Roncalli.
Furthermore there is an act from USA. The Quiddlers
is their name. Difficult to explain what those artists are doing in their vaudevillian-styled pantomime act. The last act in the
performance is The Flying Souzas. This
talented flying trapeze act from Brazil was a few years ago appointed as the year’s
best flying act by the British circus fans. And
of cause members of the Enoch family can bee seen in the performance: Katja Enoch will present liberty horses from
Circus Dannebrog's own stables. Agnete Louise Enoch is ringmistress and circus owner Haddy Enoch welcomes the audience and say goodbye
at the end of the show. Circus Dannebrog’s conductor Ryszard Murakowski will one again be standing at
the bandstand with his well-playing band.
Katja Enoch
with some of Circus Dannebrog’s horses. Photo from 2006
13 February
2007
Heinz
Saxburger honored. The 76-year
old Danish magician Heinz Saxburger was in the middle of January awarded the newspaper
JydskeVestkystens Cultural award of 7,000 Euro. Heinz Saxburger began as professional
magician in 1960 and has toured most of the world. It is not the first time a person from
the world of performing artists is awarded the cultural award: a couple of years ago it
was given to Haddy Enoch of Circus Dannebrog.
12 February
2007
Luis Schumann
Torres who is
married to Laura Schumann Torres has created a
beautiful website called www.schumannship.dk.
Languages English and Danish. The website tells about horse training and the Schumann
family. It contains many interesting photos and a video clip from the late Albert
Schumann’s famous liberty horse act Rhapsody in
blue. Laura is the youngest of Philip and Susanne Schumann’ daughters and thus
granddaughter of Max and Vivi Schumann. She spent two seasons with New York’s Big
Apple Circus at the time when her aunt Katja Schumann was connected to that show.
That’s where she met Luis. Today the couple lives in Horsens very close to Laura's
parent’s house.
11 February
2007
”Visit
Arena Circusland - 10.000 square meters of indoor entertainment”
the Danish Circus Arena writes. Benny Berdino and his team have at the shows winter
quarters at Aarslev on Zealand
opened a large part of the quarter to the audience. They can see the training ring, the
sealion basin, working repair shops, stables with a lot of animals, a museum section,
circus wagons, an area with moon bounces etc, pony and elephant riding etc. Two times
every hour there are a show with sealions, horses, camels, dogs or goats. Suzanne
Berdino or Tim Delbosq shows the visitors how circus animals are trained. Pjerrot and
Samson Power
does magical acts etc. And of cause there is a cafeteria.
The three
performing sealions, presented and trained by Addie Jepsen, has excellent quarters.
Tim Delbosq
training a pony in Spanish walk
Until 25 February Arena Circusland is
open daily from 10 to 16. When the entrance fee of 112 DKK all shows etc. is free of
charge.
One of the
most impressing model circuses in Europe, Circus Mille, build by Knud Munch, is on display
at Arena Circusland together with other models and model wagons.
Benny
Berdino has recently bought a Dutch street organ. It will be on tour with Circus Arena.
9 February
2007
Circus during
the winter holidays. Scholl
children in Denmark have winter holidays either in week 7 or in week 8. During the holiday
you can in several shopping malls etc. see circus performances as free attraction. During
week 7 you can meet Benny Schumann with guests at the West Zealand Shopping Centre
in Slagelse, Circus BonBon at the Ballerup
Shopping Centre and Circus Mascot in the
Herning Shopping Centre. During week 8 you can find Circus
Kenny at the Rosengaard Shopping Mall in Odense, Benny Schumann with guests in the Glostrup Shopping Centre and
Circus Mascot at Aalborg Shopping Mall. Further
details can be seen at What's
on.
9 February
2007
Small change in the program for Circus Kenny. I
have earlier written that the Dubsky clowns would be among the performers in Circus Kenny
in Odense in week 8. Due to illness 80 year old Joseph Dubsky has been forced to cancel
his engagement. The Dubsky clowns will be replaced by Gorge Alexis, a brother of the well-known clown
Toni Alexis. The rest of the performance is unchanged: Messoudi Family, handstand, the jugglers Messoudi Boys and Victoria Enoch with ponies from Circus Dannebrog.
Ringmaster will as always be Victoria's mother Agnete
Louise Enoch.
8 February
2007
ECA writes:
From 1
– 4 March in Tournai – Belgium – will be organised the Festival ‘La Piste aux Espoir’. New this
year is the presentation of the ‘circle project ‘. An initiative from the
professional circus schools organised in the FEDEC association. In one show, during 2˝
hours, 12 numbers from 9 different schools will be presented. The ECA invites there
members to take part and have a look on what professional circus schools present on Saturday 3 March. Starting at 16.00 hours.
After the show there will be a meeting organised with representatives of several
professional circus schools to talk about expectations the circus industry has from the
circus schools. The complete program you can find on: http://www.lapisteauxespoirs.com/
6 February
2007
Circus Renz
Berlin has
wintered in Denmark. Their animals and some of their wagons have been parked at a private
owned lot in the Copenhagen suburb Herlev. Some neighbours found it great fun, other was
very unhappy. However, the Herlev city council have ordered Circus Renz Berlin to leave
the lot within one week as keeping of animals apart from pets are not allowed in the area.
Circus Renz Berlin plan for a very early season opening: 17 and 18 February at Himmelev.
The programme is most likely the same as in 2006: a lot of animals and very few artists.
4 February
2007
PHOTO
EXHIBITION, photographer LINDA HIMSEL, Sweden, - in PARIS. From Paris ZARRO ZARRO writes: Photographer LINDA HIMSEL
presents a rather small, but nicely organized exhibition where we can see about 20 photos,
mainly from Swedish Circus MAXIMUM. The public gets a close view on circus life, also
behind the curtain where the general audience seldom enters. The exhibition is located in
a small restaurant which also is a food shop - on the first floor there is an exhibition
area where the photos are exposed. This event is worth seeing - but it is not easy since
the name of the street LA RUE NEUVE TOLBIAC does not appear on the street corners as it
should. Get on Métro Line 14, get off at BIBLIOTHEQUE /the national library Francois
Mitterrand/, exit to the right, you'll find an escalator which will take you up to LA RUE
NEUVE TOLBIAC, continue straight on downhill to 12 rue NEUVE TOLBIAC, the shop with the
exhibition is called FIL O FROMAGE. FEBRUARY 3 THRU 28. This interesting event may spur
interest for the circus art among the very general public. Thanks LINDA for this
initiative !!!
From the
opening of the exhibition. ECA’s Secretary Arie Oudenes and Linda Himsel. Below: Linda
Himsel and the arranger of the exhibition Clément Chérif Boubrit. Photo: Roy Himsel
4 February
2007
FESTIVAL
MONDIAL DU CIRQUE DE DEMAIN -- THE CIRCUS OF TOMORROW
-- in Paris. ZARRO
ZARRO writes: This event was originated 30 years ago in order to discover and encourage
young talents. This year the show was presented under the big top of CIRQUE PHENIX, a
tremendous chapiteau where it is impossible to get the same circus atmosphere as in the
CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE, where it was previously presented.
I
had the firm impression that the selection of artists had been geared more to pure -and
very advanced - technique, than to entertainment value and to the taste of the general,
family audience. With a few exceptions it was clear - as I saw it - that only a handful of
these acts could have been included in a normal circus program. An acrobatic act,
performed by a white man and his African female partner was one of the exceptions -
wonderful, funny and pleasant. A /probably/ Russian juggler, juggling white balls was
funny and appealing, though more of the kind of a variety/cabaret act. All circus
disciplines were represented, and the show can thus be recommended to all interested in
the circus arts. The event takes place in Paris, each year in February. – You can
find more about CIRQUE DE DEMAIN at http://www.cirquededemain.com/
2 February
2007
As in 2006 Copenhagen’s
International Theatre (KIT) will in 2007 arrange a New Circus Festival. The festival will
take place in August. Among the performing companies will be the Australian company ACROBAT
with their new performance
smaller/poorer/cheaper and O ULTIMO MOMENTO with the wonder child Joăo P.
Pereira Dos Santos and Guillaume Dutrieux.
Also the Danish new circus company Royal Bones
can be seen during the festival with their new circus performance FUSK. You can also meet
Royal Bones and FUSK when KIT invites for an intensive circus week-end in Copenhagen from
April 12th to 14th April 2007. FUSK can be seen at the Albertslund
Music Theatre on 13th April. A seminar focusing on text, playwrights and
dramaturges for New Circus will take place at the Copenhagen University from 12th
to 14th April. The seminar will be held in English. A detailed program and list
of invited speakers can be seen at www.kit.dk
in the beginning of March
1 February
2007
A reception
at the Circus museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, marked the opening of some new exhibitions.
Among those an exhibition about Danish circuses with posters, info on each circus and in
the middle of the room a playmobil circus rebuild to a model circus with figurines of
performers such as Ingo Stiebner, the clowns Bonbon and Tiina, the Arli clowns and the
horse trainer Suzanne Berdino. The model circus is created by Bonbon’s father Arne
Norager and Bonbon and Tiina's two children Joakim and Julia. Also on display in the room
is one of Paulina Schumann’s elegant robes, one of her saddles and one of the late
Albert Schumann’s costumes.
Julia and
Joakim Norager standing next to the playmobil circus. In the background Paulina
Schumann’s robe and saddle
From the
exhibition about Danish circuses. The costume in the background was used by Albert
Schumann.
1 February
2007
Well-known Danish painter creates the 2007 poster for
the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen. The Circus Museum has persuaded the circus
loving artist Jeppe Eisner to create this
year’s poster for the museum. Jeppe Eisner has made a number of paintings from the
world of circuses and artists. Some years ago he made a poster for Danish Circus Arena.
The museums 2006-poster was created by Nelly Jane
Benneweis.
Jeppe Eisners poster for
the Circus Museum
31 January
2007
”Has
just returned from the Monte Carlo Circus Festival,”
Danish reprise clown Lasse ”Bonbon”
Norager writes. Lasse tells that the performance became better and better in the days
after the gala show. There was a full house every day.
Tiina,
Bonbon and their son Joakim at the entrance to the big top in Monte Carlo. Photo: Roy
Himsel
Tiina,
Princess Stephanie and Bonbon. Photo: Roy Himsel
30 January
2007
Arena
winter circus. An
Arena-produced performance will in the coming week visit some sporting halls etc. in Jutland.
The performers are the Danish clowns Martino &
Co. (the Arli family), the Swedish unicycle
act Malte
Knapp, the
contortionist
Marylou
Casselly, Suzanne Berdino with 6
Arabian liberty horses, the foot juggler Jan
Navratil, the Danish cascadeur duo Steckel’s
and the young and talented Danish acrobat Alexander
Arli.
29 January 2007
Season
2007 for „No Name Circus“ at the Team
LA Park in Solbjerg in the northern part of Jutland are getting closer and closer
artistically director and animal trainer Bjoern
Schult-Bjoernlys writes. The season will start on 18 April and the performance will be
called ‘Fantasy 2007’. 22 animals are trained for the performance where you can
see a lot of animal acts, among those a farm animal entrée. You can find further
information at www.Team-LA.dk
26 January
2007
Circus Mascot
will during the Danish schoolchildren’s winter holiday in week 7 and 8 (week 7 in
some areas and week 8 in other areas) present an indoor performance at the Herning
shopping mall (12
to 17 February) and in Aalborg shopping mall (19 to 24 February). You can meet the clowns Picco and
Picolina from Czech,
Daniel Deleuran with his rola bola entrée and
with a slinky act, Marianne Deleuran with her
dogs and in week 7 furthermore Andreas with his
diabolo entrée.
24 January
2007
The gala performance at this years International
Circus Festival in Monte Carlo took place on 23 January at 8 p.m. The performance was
not over until 1 a.m. Thus, the 2 hour TV-version which several TV stations will broadcast
during the spring is a shortened version of the entire gala. First act in the performance
was the Italian Casartelli-families
spectacular liberty horse act with 12 beautiful Arabian horses. They were followed by the
charming, speedy and skilled diabolo juggler Pierre
Marchand. The audience loved him although
the jury didn’t grant him any awards. Then the Danish reprise clown Bonbon entered the ring and presented in English
himself as animal trainer. The ringmaster asked him to speak French. Bonbon then tried his
luck in Danish before he was escorted out of the ring which then was entered by the
fabulous show girls fro Circus Clobus in
Bucharest with their spectacular entrée ”Arial Tango” with acrobats in
strapates, trapeze and tissue. Then Bonbon has his wonderful run-un with his trained
(mechanical) turtles. Then we met the acrobat- and juggling couple Ruslan and Ilona Sadoev with juggling, hula hoop
and saltos on horseback. Ruslan can to a salto both forward and backwards and backwards
with twist. The Domchyn-troupe presented their
act with 2 Russian swings and impressive jumps, including a double passage. Next came the
3 acrobats from White Crow with their Russian
bar entrée. The female partner masters the triple – both forwards and backwards.
Before next act the clown Francesco has one of
his fine run-ins. Then more than 50 persons from the Casartelli-troupe entered the ring in
an Oriental tableau in colourful costumes, a flying carpet and several exotes: camels,
lamas, buffalos, a kangaroo, emus, 2 giraffes and 3 elephants. Spectacular but as animal
training not impressive. After the interval German Tom
Dieck JR presented his lions and tigers. Francesco and the ballet assisted in taking
down the cage after Tom's act. Then we met the gifted teeterboard troupe Dosov in a striking act.
The Dosov troupe
After them the
Russian Mikas clowns has a short run-in. Then
the audiences favourite Encho entered the ring
with his marvellous hand stand act. The applause was mush higher than for any other act
during the performance. Few amongst the audience understood why this wonderful acrobat
only was awarded a silver clown. Encho was followed by Freres Taquin with their Mechanical man entrée.
Copied by many others. But no ”doll” equals Olivier Taquin. Then the Monte
Carlo-veterans Duo Guerrero entered the ring
with their high wire act. Impressive that Ada sings during the act which even without her
song would rank amongst the top act in the high wire business. After the veterans you
could enjoy Bonbon’s run-in as 5 x Bonbon. He was followed by Duo Bobrovi in vertical rope and then by Braian and Ingrid Casartelli’s poetic and
impressive pas des deux on horseback.
Braian and Ingrid Casartelli
Last act in the
performance was the Chinese Guangzhou-troupe’s
spectacular foot-juggling act with 16 antipodistes. Then it was time for the awards
from the jury: First an extremely happy Encho
got the Prix du Public. Then the charming kids from Les
Chiens de Peluche received the prize as the best young artist act. Duo Guerrero received the jury’s special
mentioning award. Then the artist in the jury presented the bronze clowns to Duo Bobrovi, Tom Dieck JR, Ruslan Sadoev, Frčres
Taquin and the Show-girls from Circus Globus. Princess
Stephanie presented silver clowns to Encho, The
white Crow, Dosov-truppen and Domchyn-truppen.
The Guangzhou-troupe’s silver clown was handed over by Prince Albert. And last
but not least the Casartelli-family received
the only golden clown awarded during the festival. Click here to see a slideshow
with photos from the gala. (Some photos will not be ready until 27 January).
Encho with his silver clown, standing
next to princess Stephanie
22 January 2007
The jury at this
year’s Monte Carlo festival has now taken their decision on awards.
As often seen they have not quite reached the same result as the audience based on an
applause test would reach. No act received as much applause as Encho. But he was “only” awarded a
silver clown. The only gold clown was awarded to the Casartelli’s for their gypsy liberty horse
act and for Braian and Ingrid Casartelli’s
marvellous pas des deux. The Danish reprise clown Bonbon
was awarded on of the special prices: the Polish Z.P.R.
De Varsorvie. Furthermore he was invited to present his turtle entrie at the gale
performance Tuesday evening.
Lasse ”Bonbon” Norager during
the opening of the performance ceremony in Monte Carlo
Here is the full
list of winners of a clown award:
The golden clown
The Casartelli family for their pas de deux and
other acts. Their Gypsy act was furthermore awarded Prix Emilien Bouglione.
One of the clown statuettes. This one is
a silver clown.
The silver clown
The hand stand
acrobat Encho. He was also awarded Prix du
Public and another special prize.
The white Crow for their act at Russian
bar. They were also awarded the City of Monte Carlo’s award and the German Circus
fans award.
Goungzhou-truppen for their act with 16
antipodians.
Dosov-truppen for their teeterboard act.
The Domchyn troupe for their act with double
Russian swing.
The Bronze clown
Duo Bobrovi for their act in vertical
rope.
Tom Dieck JR for his big cage act.
Ruslan Sadoev for his acrobat and
juggler on horseback act.
Frhres Taquin for their entrie with the
mechanical man.
The show-dancers from Circus Globus in Bucharest.
The jury’s special award was given to the high
wire acrobats Duo Guerrero. Coupe de
S.A.S. la Princesse Antoinette, being the jury’s award for young acrobats,
was given to Chiens en Peluche d’Izhevsk.
The acts awarded by one or more of the
39 special prizes are only to a limited intent mentioned above.
22 January 2007
The first circus festival in Monte Carlo took place in 1974.
The following year a Dane was awarded a silver clown: the fabulous hand stand acrobat Little John. So far John is the only Dane who has
received on of the prestigious Monte Carlo Clown awards.
22 January 2007
When I 20 January
mentioned the high wire act Duo Guerrero I
wrote that is looked as the female partner was singing during the entire act. It has now
been confirmed: Ada is singing and not just miming to prerecorded song. Members of the
Guerrero-family were awarded a silver clown in 1990 and 1992.
22 January
2007
When I on 20
January mentioned the so-called performance number two I unfortunately forgot to mention
one act: Russian Duo Bobrovi who did a nice act
in vertical rope. The male partner has earlier been at Monte Carlo as member of the high
wire troupe Voljansky which was awarded a
silver clown in 1998.
21 January
2007
Saturday
evening was the second time performance number one from the Monte Carlo festival was presented to the jury and the
audience. The show opened with a shot: the female cannon ball Robin Valencia was shot out of her canon and
landed safely at her large inflatable “canon ball air back”. The count down was
done by the reprise clown Francesco, well-known
by Danes from several seasons with Circus Benneweis.
The
Monte Carlo-ballet at the opening
First act in
the competition was a 16 piece large troupe of female antipodians (foot-jugglers from the Guangzhou-troupe. An impressive and very
spectacular act.
The Guangzhou
troupe
Then came
one of the best acts of the evening: the diablo juggler Pierre Marchand. His elegant and speedy act should
bring him at least a silver clown. Pierre was followed by the Voladas troupe in an act with fixed bare. Very
good, but maybe more gymnastics than acrobats. The equilibrist Palchikov had an elegant act in a spectacular
elastic dress, however of an artistically standard being somewhat lower that Encho whom we saw Friday evening. He was followed
by the Mikos clowns doing somewhat better than
Friday evening. White Crow, two males and a
female did a very good act in Russian bar with among other things a triple salto.
Certainly also a candidate for an award. Second last act before the intermission was the
spectacular act Arial Tango from Circus Globus
in Bucharest. 14 persons in strapats and one in Washington-trapeze. They were followed by
the Casartelli family’s liberty acts with
12 beautiful Arab horses and a lot of artist dressed as gypsies.
First act
after the intermission was as Friday Tom Dieck JR with
his big cats. Then came Duo Milany with an impressive arial cradle
entrie. Duo Kosnyrov did a nice but in no way
sensational juggling act. They were followed by a possible award-winner: the Dosav troupe’s teeterboard act. Certainly
worth a clown of gold or silver.
Braian and
Ingrid Casartelli rode a
beautiful pas des deux on horseback where she balanced on his head standing one leg. I
will be surprised if they are not awarded a clown. Then we met Freres Taquin with their mechanical man. Seen at
an earlier festival. But the ”statue” (Olivier Taquin) has got a new partner and
was invited to participate in the competition once again. Last act in the performance
running for almost 4 hours was the acrobat and dancing entrie done by the troupe Believe in Swing.
Freres
Taquin
21 January
2007
The International circus festival at Monte Carlo presented
Saturday afternoon as free attraction an Open air circus show in the Port Hercule area.
Amongst the performers was the Danish clown Bonbon
assisted by his 7 year old son. We also met the repriceclown Francesco, Les Chiens de Peluches and a young monobike
juggler of the Caroli family. Last act was the human cannonball Robin Valencia.
Bonbon and Tiina and their two kids: a seven year old
son and a daughter being nine.
20 January
2007
The jury at the Circus Festival at Monte Carlo has
traditionally mainly been chosen from the
world of circus owners etc. 4 times the jury have had a Danish member: Eli Benneweis, Nelly Jane Benneweis (1990), Diana Benneweis and as the latest Benny Borodino. From Sweden Carmen Rodin has not long ago been a jury member.
But this year principles for setting the jury has been changed: the majority of jury
members are top artists or former top artists: the juggler Kris Kremo, the flying trapeze star Tito Gaona,
Marco Lorador of Alexis Brothers, Angelo Munoz from the well-known Portuguese
clown and tight wire family, Yasmine Smart
world top class horse trainer and Wu Zhengdan
from the Canton Acrobatic school. President of the jury is Princess Stiphanie.
20 January
2007
The Friday
evening performance at the Circus Festival in Monte
Carlo was one out of the 4 performances during which the jury members are going to
pick out this year's award-winning acts.
It was an
outstanding performance with several world class acts. First act was the young Les Chiens de Peluche most of them dressed in
colourful dog costumes. Then the Danish clown Bonbon
tried to enter the ring, presenting himself in English as professor in badminton. When
the ringmaster told him that the language was French he tried in Danish! However the
ringmaster managed to get him out of the ring which then was entered by Elisabeth Axt in her excellent act in
Washington-trapeze. After her Bonbon managed to enter the ring where he assisted by his
wife Tiina presented their well-known comical badminton entrie. Later in the performance
Bonbon had several run inns: the purple entrie, 5 x Bonbon and the cannonball entrie.
Bonbon and
the turtle. Sorry about the rather low quality of photos – difficult to take pictures
in such a large tent when you have to stay at your seat.
Next act was
Rislan and Ilona Sadoev from Ukraine in a
juggling and acrobat act on horseback. Ilona did hula hoop one horseback. Rislan’s
most impressive tricks were several forwards and backwards summersaults, one with a twist.
Could very well give him a silver clown. Russian Mikos
had a rather strange ”strip-tease” entrie. At least half of the audience
obviously disliked the entrie. But apparently Princess Stephanie liked it. Troupe Domchyn did a good job in double Russian
swing, including a double passage. Clearly a clown award candidate. Last act before the
intermission was the Casartelli family’s
”Aladdin”. A spectacular tableau with many acrobats in colourful costumes
and camels, lamas, several different long horns, a kangaroo, some ostriches, two giraffes
and there elephants. As animal training nice but not impressive.
After the
interval 23 year old Tom Dieck JR presented his
big cats: 3 male lions, 2 females and 2 young tigers. Nice but not as impressive as the
Lacey brothers and their mother. Then artist from the Circus School in Shanghai entered the ring a fabulous flying
trapeze act. Clearly a golden clown candidate until on of the flyers – as far as I
could see only a young girl - missed the triple three times. Unless she does better on
Sunday the troupe will probably have to do with a silver clown.
The Shanghai
troupe
They was
followed by the female cannonball Robin Valencia. A nice stunt!
Robin
Valencia
After her we
met Duo Guerrero at the high wire. Several fine
tricks, some with the female partner as the ”under man”. She was singing during
the entire act (could be she was only ”miming” to taped music). Absolutely a
possible award winning act. They were followed
by the hand stand acrobat Encho with an
outstanding act which got more applause than any other act Friday evening. I believe he
will be awarded a well deserved golden clown.
Encho
Duo Bobrovi
did a nice act in vertical rope and Some like it
hot from the Kiev Circus School presented a fine comical casceuadeur act. Last act in
the performance running for almost 4= hour was the Casartelli family with beautiful and
skilfully trained liberty horses.
From the
grand finale. Bonbon and Tiina at the left
19 January
2007
A
number of Danes travelling with Briano’s
Circus Travels arrived at a sunny Nice at noon today. This evening they will see their
first performance in Monte Carlo starring amongst others the Danish/Finnish clown couple Bonbon and Tiina. - Review of the show will follow
tomorrow!
13January 2007
Circus Benneweis 2007. Diana Benneweis has
provided me with the following information on the artists in Circus Benneweis in 2007,
which will be the 120th season for Benneweis: Miss Kai (Maria Graziella Galan Buena from)
performs as the only woman in the world with the exceptional arial act ‘Ceiling
Walk’. A beautiful young girl from Russia Diana
Alexandrovna Vedyashkina present her trained dachshunds. The Russian clowns Olga and Alexey Bobylev are among other acts
known for their ’The Ping-Pong Play’ entrie. Fausto Scorpions present a Risley act where
members from the audience are invited to join the act. The brothers Christian and Alex Gdrtner present their
elephants. Spanish Miguel Ferreri performs at
the tight wire. Horse training in a new and original way is Karl Ferdinand
Trunk’s speciality. Apart from horses he presents dogs and goats in the ring. Guiness
Book of Record has registered Mario Berousek as
the fastest juggler in the world. For several years he was a main attraction in German Circus
Krone,
12 January
2007
Circus Kenny
can be seen in the Rosengaard Shopping Mall in Odense during the Danish school childrens
winter holiday. Isabella Enoch tells that the performers are Messoudi Family, handstand acrobats from
Australia/Marocco, the jugglers Messoudi Boys, Dubsky’s clowns with Dennie Enoch as white
faced clown and Victoria Enoch with ponies.
11 January
2007
Tiina and
Lasse ”Bonbon” Norager on the way to Monte Carlo. The Danish
clown Bonbon and his Finnish wife Tiina are on their way to the circus festival in Monte
Carlo. They will be among the performers at “performance 2” on 19 January at 20
and 21 January at 15. And hopefully also at the gala performance on 23 January. It is 25
years since there last time was a Dane in the competition. And as far as Tiina knows it is
first time a Finn participates.
Bonbon
and Tiina’s canonball entrie. Photo from 2004
11. January
2007
ECA informs.
Arie Oudenes of European Circus Association writes:
In our most
recent newsletter (ECA Information Volume 5 no. 3) we informed you about new European
regulations concerning animals. PLEASE NOTE THAT ECA IS WAITING FOR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS
TO CONFIRM the information presented below. DUE
TO THE HOLIDAYS, IT MAY BE SEVERAL MORE DAYS OR EVEN LONGER UNTIL WE HAVE THE NECESSARY
CONFIRMATION. We are pleased to provide you with the following updated information:
Legal Case
against Austria: As reported, the European Commission decided on 12
December 2006 to close – for political reasons - the legal case it has opened against
Austria concerning its ban on non-domesticated animals in the circus. In anticipation of the closure, the ECA filed a
complaint with the European Ombudsman alleging maladministration (because of the
responsible Commissioner’s promises to Austrian activists to close the case). ECA is extremely pleased to inform you that the
Ombudsman has decided to open an inquiry into this matter and has prepared a letter
that will be sent to the European Commission demanding the complete file of the case and
an explanation as to why the case was closed. The
Commission will have until the end of March to respond and the ECA will be permitted to
react to the Commission’s response. The
Ombudsman will decide what action to take (ranging from no action to requiring the
Commission to reinstate the case against Austria) based on these documents.
Animal
Transport: As we previously reported, a new regulation on
animal transport takes effect on 5 January 2005.
This regulation applies only to those engaged in transport as part of
“economic activity.” As
discussed at the Paris ECA meeting, ECA believes that the regulation should NOT be
applicable to circuses because its provisions are unjustified in the circus context,
because there is no legal basis for the Commission to apply such rules to circuses, and
because the circus industry was not consulted, nor was an analysis undertaken concerning
the impact of the regulation on circuses. While
different countries are interpreting the regulation differently (some believe it applies
to circuses), we are pleased to report that our Commission contacts have informed us
that the regulation is NOT intended to apply to circuses.
Animal
Health Passport: The new system requiring registration of circus
animals and use of passports with animal health information to cross borders within the
European Union takes effect 1 January 2007. As
expected, our efforts to delay implementation – due to the fact that the Member
States have not yet prepared the necessary documents, etc. – have not been successful
(it is not possible to delay the entry into force of a European law). However, the European Commission is sympathetic to
our concerns and intends to send a letter to all of the European Member States to tell
them that if they have not yet properly established the passport system, they should
not block movements of circuses. The
Commission will send us a copy of this letter and also will provide us with contact points
in every country. In the meantime, anyone intended to move to another country in the next
few years should send a letter to their official veterinarian or other official government
contact asking to be registered. The purpose of this is to obtain a written
acknowledgement from the government to demonstrate that you have carried out your
responsibilities under the regulation, even if the Member State is unprepared to register
you. With such a letter, you should be able to
avoid being blocked from movement. Please
remember that registration should occur or at least be requested more than 40 days before
the first time the circus crosses a national border after 1 January 2007. ECA has drafted a sample letter.
9 January 2007
Not easy to
start a Christmas circus. It is not
easy to sell tickets to a Christmas circus in a country where circus by tradition is a
summer season entertainment. Benny Berdino and Kenn
Anker Petersen made that experience back in 1973 where they presented a Christmas
performance at a theatre in Copenhagen. Carlo and
Diana Rhodin learned the same lesson when the in 2001 tried their luck with a
Christmas Circus in Malmv, Sweden. And Thessa and
Rene Mvnster and Samson made the same
experience when they in December 2006 presented
Christmas Circuses in Copenhagen and Roskilde. Both show had good programmes. But the
audience didn’t come in the expected number. Thessa and Reni Mvnster will not try
their luck again in 2007 with a Christmas Circus in Copenhagen. In stead they will tour
some sporting arenas etc. with such show. Samson plan to give his Roskilde Christmas
Circus another try in 2007 hoping to create a local tradition for such show and realising
the audience, which actually turned dup was very satisfied with the performance.
8
January 2007
Wintercircus in the Ballerup Shopping Mall. As
usual the comedian Finn Bendixen presents a
circus performance in the Ballerup Shopping mall during the school children’s winter
holiday from 12 to 16 February. This year the performers are the juggler and antipodist Jan Navratil, the bike acrobat Malte Knapp and Toby the clown.
8. January
2007
Birthdays with a round figure in 2007. Several
personalities from the Danish circus world can in 2006 celebrate a birthday with a round
figure. On 21 March Circus Dannebrog’s owners Haddy and Solvej Enoch’s youngest
daughter Katja Enoch can celebrate her 40 years birthday. Irene Thierry of the Danish dog and pony show Circus
Krone can celebrate her 60 years birthday on 14 April.
Circus Benneweis’ owner Diana Benneweis can celebrate her 60 years
birthday on 12 June. On 25 June Solveig Enoch can
celebrate her 70 years birthday. On 24 July Irene Thierry’s oldest con Frank Thierry can celebrate his 40 years birthday.
8 January
2007
Exhibition
of Circus Photos in Paris. The
Swedish photographer Linda Himsel writes: I invite you to my opening in Paris
the 3rd February to the exhibition Circus Photography. It will last to the 28th February
and if you can’t come to the opening and meet me you are more than welcome to visit
it later on. Some of you may know me as Linda at Circus Maximum in Sweden but I also have
my own company as photographer. I hope I can share my photos and circus-experience with
you the 3rd! Welcome!”. The venue of the exhibition is fil o fromage, 12 rue neuve tolbiac, 75013 Paris. It’s
in the 13th arrondisement in Paris and the closest metro is purple line, station
Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand. Linda Himsel is
one of the best circus photographers in Europe. She is daughter of Roy Himsel, CEO of the Swedish
Circus Academy and himself an excellent photographer.
4 January
2007
Michel Lauzihre in the Dansk Melody Grand Prix 2007. Michel
Lauzihre is a man of many talents. He is a visual humorist, a fantasy artist and a
musician. On stage, Lauzihre is a master in grasping the audience's attention and drawing
them into his world of the unusual. With his incredible talent and imagination, he can
make music out of anything. He began his solo career in 1989, after working with a partner
for a few years. Since then, he has performed in more than 45 countries, on the 5
continents. And when DR TV on 2 February present the semi final of the Danish Melody Grand
Prix Michel will be part of the show. However not participating in the song competition
but playing classical music with his unique horn suit.
Here
you can se how he got the job: On 11 December 2006 I received an email from producer
Birgitte Lorentzen of DR TV. She asked me if I know an artist playing music on honk horns
and believed that his name was Freddy Anthony.
I know
Freddy Anthony very well. But when I send Birgitte a photo of Freddy she told me that it
was the wrong person! She sent me a video clip of the performer she was searching for. I
recognised it as a clip from Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde but could not remember the
name of the artist. But my Swedish friend Christer Nilsson of the Swedish Magic Archive
was able to help me by referring to this website: http://www.michellauziere.com/
DR
TV was happy to find the name of the artist they was searching for and on 4 January they
informed me that Michal had been engaged for their show. Michael is also happy:”THANK YOU for the contact
you established, it is highly appreciated,” he writes.
Michel
Lauzihre. Photo by courtesy of Michel Lauzihre.
3 January
2007
Magic Day at
Aarhus Shopping Mall North on 20 January. The
magician Jorgen Johansen of Gospel Magic is the man behind the magic day with
seminars, performing artists at the mall and a magical show in the evening, starring
Pjerrot, Mark Shortland (UK), Peter Pan, Bugislaw, Gospel Magic, Jozima (Sweden), the
ventriloquist Signe & Naughty Rikke, Lambert Magic (S) and others.
The
ventriloquist Signe. Photo: Lise Kokholm
3 January 2007
Circus Renz
Berlin has as
earlier mentioned on this page presented Christmas Circus in Copenhagen since 22 December.
The quality of the performance is somewhat lower than the Danish audience is used to from
Danish circuses. Best act is a liberty act with 4 Andalusians (hardly pure breed). Apart
from a couple of Christmas trees the performance has nothing to do with Christmas.
Interior
from the tent
One of the
andalusians
Frau Renz,
the wife of the 86 year old circus owner Bernhard
Renz (who you don’t see in connection with the performances) tells that Circus
Renz will find a winter quarter in Denmark and will start season 2007 by touring Zealand.
She does not want to return to Germany. “To many circuses,” she says. Her and
Bernhard’s oldest son is touring Germany with another section of Circus Renz Berlin.
As Renz Berlin
will stay in Denmark they will in the future have to comply with the fairly complicated
rules which Danish circuses have to comply with. They will need working permissions for
the Polish tent crew (three persons) and for their only foreign artists, a couple from Romania.
Their cars will need Danish license plates. They shall comply with Danish fire regulations
rules and Danish rules on marketing. The will have to pay fees to KODA and Gramex and to
pay the 25 % Danish VAT etc.
On 1 January
the new EU guidelines for border crossing by circuses with animal acts entered into force.
According to the guidelines circuses are only aloud to enter other member states if they
are registered in their home country and comply with the regulations of guideline
1739/2005. The animal passports are part of this registration.
1 January 2007
This
website had 31.550 hits in 2006. The counter can be seen at the bottom of the opening
page.
Nelly Jane
Benneweis has kindly
permitted us to reproduce this beautiful drawing of Francesco and Alberto Caroli. The
drawing was on the Christmas cards Nelly has sent her friends.
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