Circus news from Denmark 2019

27 December 2019

The Danish circus year 2019 in review

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

Introduction

It is not easy to run a circus. The cost of live entertainment such as a circus and a theatre is high. Due to this ticket prices cannot compete with the cost of a ticket to a cinema. Many adults unfortunately believe that visit with their kids to a circus should be much cheaper than when mom and dad are going to a concert or in the theater.

At the same time, the increasing bureaucratization makes it hard to run a circus. There are rules that give both the industry and municipalities a number of useless but time-consuming tasks.

It was close to impossible to interest Danish newspapers and television for circuses, unless it was about accidents or the upcoming ban against elephants.

In the spring 2018 the Government then in office, the Danish People's Party and the Social Democratic Party, which together formed a majority in the Danish Parliament, concluded an agreement which should ban wild animals in the circus. It was about elephants, sea lions and zebras, since all other wild animals have been banned since 1963.

Most discussion was about Denmark’s 4 circus elephants: three in Circus Arena and one in Circus Trapez.

Initially, the idea was for a ban to enter into force on January 1, 2019. Due to this neither Arena nor Trapez took their elephants on tour in 2019. At the same time, there were negotiations for a solution where the 4 elephants should end up in Knuthenborg Safari Park. The Government’s Financial Act for 2019 provided for DKK 7 million to ensure that the 4 elephants could be bought from the circuses and donated to Danish owners who could take care of the large animals.

The negotiations dragged on, but after the general election in June, the new Minister of Food, Mogens Jensen, took action. On August 31, he and the two circuses reached an agreement: The Government bought the 4 elephants for a total of DKK 11 million (approximately 1.5 million Euro). It was another million DKK per elephant in compensation for housing expenses compared to the Government’s first offer of seven million DKK

In October, the Government decided to hand over free of charge the elephants to Knuthenborg Safari Park, the only zoo which had offered to take them over. Until an elephant facility is ready in Knutenborg, the 4 elephants are stabled in Circus Arena's winter quarters in Aarslev. It is Dyrenes Beskyttelse (the largest Danish animal protection association) which pays the costs of care until the facility in Knuthenborg is ready.

This is the end for elephants in Danish circuses. There are different opinions about the reason for a ban as several studies show that elephants are doing fine in a circus. But politicians and others without knowledge about circuses feel confident that a circus elephant will be happier in a zoo.

In fact, the ban has not yet been adopted! The bill with the ban is scheduled for third and last reading in the Danish Parliament on February 6, 2020.

As usual, the quality of the performances in the Danish circus was high and the audience well pleased with what they saw.

For the fourth consecutive year sponsorship from private sponsors made it possible to give out Danish Circus Awards.

The award ceremony took place on 8 August in the Fencing hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre.

The Danish Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen presented the Danish circus and artist world's most prestigious prize, The Danish Circus Award, to Benny Schumann. This year's talent prize went to Kolev Sisters from Circus Arena. The award for the year's best act was given to Andrejs Fjodorovs from Circus Arena.

The Effort Award went to Mayor Helle Adelborg. The award goes to the politician or public person who has done the most for circuses in the past year. Hvidovre municipality, where Helle Adelborg is mayor has through the operation of the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, made a unique effort to preserve the history of the Danish circuses and created a combination of activity and museum that makes the experience unique and something more than that traditional museum visits.

The winners from the left: Helle Adelborg, Kolev Sisters, Andrejs Fjodorovs, Joy Mogensen and this year's recipient of the Danish Circus Award Benny Schumann. Behind them the prize jury: Ole Simonsen, Jan Hertz, and Rud Kofoed. Photo: Trine Kofoed / Ajour Press

The year's performances

During the school’s winter holidays in February CIRCUS KRONE had performances in Aarhus. BENNY SCHUMANN presented his mini circus in the Elsinore City Shopping Centre. CIRCUS MASCOT had performances in Herning Shopping Centre and Aalborg Shopping Centre. CIRCUS BALDONI had performances in Ishøj City Centre. JIMMY ENOCH produced a show for Rosengaard Shopping Centre in Odense. ISABELLA ENOCH presented winter circus in 9 arenas in Jutland. The Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, featured a show with the ventriloquist Peter Nørgaard.

Circus Arena

The largest circus in the Nordic countries Circus Arena opened the season at Bellahoj in Copenhagen on 20 March. Rud Kofoed, journalist and for many years reviewer of theatre and circus performances for the leading Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladed handed out five stars and wrote (my translation):

“YOUNG WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUG - KOLEV SISTERS IS GIRLPOWER AGAINST STRONG MEN IN BUBBER'S EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

The fact that two young sisters, the youngest is 19, should become an outstanding top act is one of the dreams that Bubber makes come through in the season's Circus Arena show. And no, it is not just because they are good-looking, which of course is no disadvantage. Well, the fact is that the chain of at least 250 years of strong men in the ring here is severely broken by girlpower hardly seen before.

Kolev Sisters' hand-to-hand acrobatics is so beautiful, powerful and incredibly impressive that they triggered standing applause from the excited premiere audience in the Arena at Bellahoj. We guess it will continue throughout the summer. Nicole and Michelle Kolev have been on the road for some time, but a little in the shadow of their parents from Flying Wulber which fortunately also is part of the show. Here Kolev Sisters really for the first time stands on own feets and is the main act in a performance. They have the power and elegance - without looking as artificially inflated testosterone bombs that have just left the gym with unclean doping flour in the muscles. It is hard to spot from where they get all the power and all the suppleness, but they both has it and present it with a peace and security that can take everyone's breathe away.

In 2019, the girlpower was introduced into the Danish circus ring!

The Kolev sisters - an impressive top act. It is not a regular gymnastics lesson we are witnessing with the two sisters. In August they were awarded the Talent Prize from the Danish Circus Award. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

However, it should now not get the performances other handstand artist, the Russian Oleg Izossimov to pack his suitcase, even though you ask yourself: 'Why another handstand act?'

But there were more great experiences in the performance, Firstly, Bubber is back 29 years after he first jumped into Circus Arena’s ring with his bathtub. (Bubber’s Bathtub was at that time a popular serial in Danish children TV). It was fun then - and for the next seven years when he continued as ringmaster. Now he is back in the ring with an equally enthusiastic childish circus enthusiasm. He justifies the poster cry: "Circus according to Bubber".

Niels Christian Meyer has become 54 old. But as the uncrowned king of the circus ring he is the incomparable, always curious and warmly engaged show- and ringmaster.  Bubber is born to unite generations.

Bubber is back after 29 years. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The experiences continue with yet another top act. The pigeons flying for Andrejs Fjordorovs from Latvia are an almost incomprehensible but beautiful and deeply fascinating experience of what can happen when man and bird find each other in a symbiosis which is difficult to understand.

It was Andrejs Fjodorovs when he, as an autodidact pigeon whisper in 2008, humbly appeared in the small, Danish circus Arli and surprised everyone, at least this reviewer, with his act with pigeons. He had learned their 'language' so he could train them to do the most incredible, which triggered a five-star review in the tabloid Ekstra Bladet, where I allowed myself to write: -No doubt that this is a world class act we here is witnessing . It's just so new that very few have discovered it yet.

Ten years later, Fjodorovs is back to Denmark, where it all started - this time in Scandinavia's largest circus. The number has been so developed, beautiful and fantastic that I had to bite my arm and contact a credible circus expert to confirm that it really is the same Andrejs Fjodorovs it was all about. It was!

The act is difficult to describe. The Lord of the pigeons makes it impossible not to get reincarnation thoughts! He must have been pigeon in his past life.

Andrejs Fjodorovs - the lord of the pigeons. In August he got the prize for the best act of the year. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Year 1 after the elephants has left the Danish circus rings such an act mitigates.

In addition, Karsten Berdino - father of the Arena triplets - provides an exotic supplement with a desert walk with one hump camels, also known as dromedaries. They are beautiful, well-kept animals. It is the beautiful brown Arabian stallion presented by the circus princess Laura Berdino also. They are almost as elegant and lovely as their trainer.

Laura Berdino with 6 brown Arabien stallions. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

We can't ignore it: The five cool riders in Diorio's petrol-burning globe of death are the best in the industry and evoke the same thrill every time - this year with even greater speed. It's an audience hit - every time!

It takes contempt for death and not a single bad day to embark on this race, which takes place with five motorcyclists for full blowout is in the globe of death which opens here in the middle of the race. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The weakest act in the performance is probably Cheban with their Russian swing and the jumps on inflated giant wheels from an airplane, but there are entertaining moments in it. (They left Circus Arena in May and was replaced by the Alexander Troupe with a nice springboard act).

In return, Duo Costache is back with a new trapeze act. It is risky but they stay on the safe side. It failed in 2017 when the "Iron Lady" Vita took a crash when she had to climb her husband, Leonardo's "Jaws" Costache's shoulder-carried perch in Viborg. Luckily, she escaped without major injuries. This year, the very tough attitude is taken out of the act. Good!

Otherwise, it is the Flying Wulber that dominates in the air with triple summersaults, great "jumps" and what you might otherwise want from a traditional flying trapeze act.

The triple. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press. To see more of Rud Kofoed's photos: Click at https://ajourpress.smugmug.com/CIRKUS-ARENA-2019-GIRLPOWER-I-F%C3%98LGE-BUBBER/

Whether you like the reprice clown Jimmy Folco or not is a question of taste, also the good one. One cannot ignore that he fights for the case with Italian charm. But when he says: "On with the boxing gloves" in an audience-driven entrée it becomes a bit long-drawn-out.”

Circus Arena closed the season on 20 August in Kalundborg.

As in previous years, Circus Arena opened the winter quarter in Aarslev during the winter holidays, summer holidays and autumn holidays. Circusland, as it is called, offered pirate show, fairy tale parade, circus school for children, pony riding, playground, museum etc. and short performances in Cirkus Landino. In the winter and summer holidays also sea lion show. Among the performers during the summer holidays were the clown Berty Balder and the rola bola acrobat Paolo Kaiser, who many Danes remembered from Circus Arena 2016. He will also be part in Arena’s 2020-forestilling.

Circus Arli

Circus Arli opened their season on 30 March at the Mill Hill in the Copenhagen suburb Floeng.

Last summer, Martin Arli got a detachment of the retina in one eye. Such detachment is treated with surgery, which sometimes have to be repeated. Martin had four eye surgeries during the last year and was told not to overstrain his eye before it is okay again. That is why this year he was forced to omit some of the things he usually does, including playing on the trumpet and using make up.

Due to this here were a few changes in Circus Arli's usual concept. The clown and the magician Martino was replaced by Alejandro aka Marin’s son Alexander Arli, and Martin himself took over the role as ringmaster from Mrs Bettina.

However, the many Arli friends and fans needed not fear that the mood and elegance that characterize an Arli performance had been lost. Arli was in top form this year an even presented a world-class artist act.

The opening spectacle was according to Lotte Arli the most expensive horse act ever presented in Arli - the costumes were expensive! And at the same time something that even the most fanatical animal welfare activist can’t complain about.

Gee up all my horses!

Then Duo Bench entered the ring with an elegant and well-presented act with balance on and around a bench. The couple was also with Arli in 2018, where he did handstand on a "penny-farthing" and she appeared in tissue and with hula hoop, where she was hoisted up in the air.

Duo Bench

After a short run-in with Alejandro - "Don't play here" - Yuriy Mamchych came in the ring with an aesthetically extremely elegant number in aerial straps performed to classical music.

Now another run-in followed with Alejandro, who by the way this year can celebrate 30 years anniversary as artist. He was only 2 years old when he had his debut! In the run-in he tap-danced on a platform he brought with him. But the spotlight constantly changed direction and Alejandro had to move to a new place.

The tap-dancing was followed by Jelena Vasiljeva – the female partner in Duo Bench - with graceful artistry in the ringstand, see photo.

Jelena with ringstand

Last number before the interval were 28-year-old Alan Sulc, who presented an act of a standard which rarely is seen in a small circus. It was 15 years since we first saw him in a Danish circus: Benneweis, where he bounced balls into his podium with incredible speed and security and became the top act of the year. Already in 2001 he won only 12 years old gold at the European Youth Circus festival in Wiesbaden. In January 2004, he was one of the youngest artists ever to get a bronze clown in Monte Carlo, and later that year he was as mentioned at Benneweis. He certainly has not deteriorated over the years, and Martin Arli was with good reason proud being able to present his audience for such a world class act.

Alan Sulc - a world class star at Arli. He was among the nominees for the prize for the best act of the year.

"Alan works with his hands and his wife with her feet." In this way Martin presented Miss Veronica alias Mrs Sulc, who with her feet juggled first one, then two, since three and finally four scarves. There were also a few handstand elements in her entrée.

Next came a "slinky" in the ring. It turned out to contain Bettina Arli, who later flew over the ring - even hanging in her hair! Something the former lady hairdresser first time tried 35 years ago.

She is flowing over the ring

Under the name of the Polupans, Sergeis Populans and Mrs. Jelena presented a short, but well-performed illusion act with props that they have borrowed from the Arli family.

For many years, the clowns in Circus Arli have been called Martino & Co aka Martin and Alexander Arli. This year, the troupe was called Alejandro & co. The many who have loved Martino & Co, however, had no reason to despair - Martino alias Martin and Alexander were still in the duo, Martin however without make up. Their main entrée this year was one of the couple's most beloved entrées: the art shooting entrée.

Alejandro & co.

The performance last act was an elegant number in tissue, also called silks. Duo Mamchych consists of Yuriy - the one with the aerial straps - and his wife Edita, who by the way is the sister of Alan Sulc.

Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitisstein’s photos from the performance

Click here to read Rud Kofoed’s review with many photos

Circus Arli closed the season on 20 August. As usually they spent the entire season on Zealand.

Just as the five last years the Arli family arranged from the middle of November and until Christmas the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market in Copenhagen.

Circus Baldoni

Circus Baldoni opened the season in Lyngby on 27 March.

The flying circus is the title of a Danish film from 1912 and of a Danish novel from 1914 written by Carl Muusmann. However, it is doubtful was is the film or the novel that had inspired René Mønster Baldoni to let a trip in a flight be the theme of this year's performance. Rather, it was René's love for ultralight aircrafts and his helicopter.

In any case, this year's performance got a "flying start", when Captain Baldoni welcomed the audience to Baldoni Airways and as in an aircraft got through a special flight safety instruction. For example “In the event of a decompression due to convulsive laughter an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you”. And “Smoking is only allowed outdoors in a parachute”. When the flight crew - 3 stewardesses and the purser Paczo - came on stage (Baldoni’s ring is a circular stage), they were wearing aircraft uniforms. The same was true of Captain René himself and even his lion Leonardo (a ventriloquist’s doll).

The crew at Baldoni Airways. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The purser Paczo (Peytchev Plamen Metodiev) was the clown in the performance. He replaced Danilo, who after 10 years at Baldoni tried something else. Baldoni's audience also met Paczo in 2006, 2011 and 2017, where he as Mr. Jumping appeared in the classic comic trampoline act with the pool. However his talent as comic trampoline acrobat was larger than his talent as clown.

After the safety instruction and Baldoni's traditional welcome song, the audience met an old acquaintance: the Czech all-round artist Eduard "Eddie" Janacek. It was his fourth season at Baldoni. In previous years, he has worked as juggler, with rola bola and as a clown. This year he presented a classic and well-performed juggling act with rings, clubs, hats and cigar boxes.

Next came Hungarian Adrienn on the stage  – or rather above the stage.  She presented a fine act in trapeze. (Not swing trapeze).

Adrienn. She was among the nominees for this year’s talent prize. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Then it was time for comedy in the form of a run-in with René and Pazco and a springboard. It became obvious that Paczo has a past as a knockabout acrobat.

The flight had now reached Ireland where, under the title of Ireland Riverdance, we met the Bulgarian foot juggler Stiliana Tomova with hula hoops, balls and cylinders.

Then Baldoni Airways reached Las Vegas, where you saw elegant magic with the Danish magician Kim Kenneth and his 3 girls, primarily the assistant and girlfriend Jessica. With one exception, Kim presented tricks that were neither on the program when he in 2018 was with Baldoni or when he was with the now closed Circus Benneweis in 2009, 2010 and 2015. Among other tricks he presented an elegant but updated version of the classic number with the lady who gets sawn in half. Eventually, he made Jessica float out of the ring.

Ready to saw the pretty Jessica in half. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Now Captain Baldoni and Leonardo announced that there were problems with the engines - it was a Boing 737 Max! So you had to land on an airfield where, incidentally, there were well-stocked kiosks!

After the break, the captain came again on the stage, this time on a segboard and "wearing" a little Cessna with which trip would continue.

The first country on the further trip was Japan, where we experienced Japanese tight wire dancing with Bulgarian Stiliana Tomowa, who mastered to walk on the wire with wooden blocks on the feet.

Then we came to the Wild West, where the whole Janacek family entered the stage: papa Eddie, Mama Maria and the son Karel (Kaya), who last year were among the nominees for the Danish Circus Award’s talent prize. The family did whiplashing, lasso spinning and knife throwing. The last thing even with mama Maria clinging to a rotating disc.

Buffalo Family aka the Janacek family. Here Eddie throws knives at his wife. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Kim Kenneth, like many magicians, has a weakness for card tricks. Helped by a gentleman from the audience - at the premiere the Danish Strictly come dancing-jury member Jens Werner - he presented a trick where Jens Werner, by shooting after a card pile, should hit a card exactly similar to what he had previously pulled without showing it to Kim. The act was presented with charm and elegance and a few of the gimmicks that Kim both loves and masters.

It always does well with a "celebrity" on the stage - here the Strictly come dancing jury member Jens Werner. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The next act was called King of Air in free dressage. Unfortunately, the king didn’t show up, and Pazco tried, with greater or less luck, to replace him in an entrée which start could remind us of Wolff Brothers' comic trapeze act.

The last act of the show should have been Ababa Brothers / Abu Boys, who in 2015 excited Baldoni's audience with an excellent Risley act. Unfortunately, they have jobs on a cruise ship, so René had to use another couple from Ethiopia, which he presented under the name Ethiopian Brothers. Although they may not be quite in line with their countrymen from 2015, they did a nice and fast-paced act which ended with the flyer performing 29 somersaults.

Ethiopian Brothers. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the show

The tent season, where they as usual toured Zealand and Lolland-Falster, ended on August 28 in Tureby but was followed by a visit to the Faroe Islands with performances in arenas etc.

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

Circus Krone

Apart from the winter circus and 5 days at Randers Festival the small Circus Krone was not on tour in 2019.

Circus Mascot

Circus Mascot opened the season in Roslev in the northern part of Jutland on 27 March.

Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance some weeks later and wrote (my translation):

Circus Mascot holds on to the traditions - quite literally. It is the two artist families Deleuran and Gulyamov who are responsible for most of the performance. Just like last year. And there are two new artists, two brothers from Ethiopia. They replace the two Polish artists who starred last year. And this year the performance has been titled: circus goes crazy.

But: both the Gulyamov family (father, mother, daughter and son) and the Deleuran family (Marianne and her son Daniel) surprise with completely new acts. Everything feels fresh, new and rejuvenated. And then the performance takes place in a tight and fast pace. It always strengthens the attraction.

The clown Gulio (Ulmas Gulyamov) is getting better and better. Every year, his entrées are brand new - and are a celebration of whim, creepy ideas and ridiculous, technical inventions. And he uses many lines - are periodically a speaking clown. But one proof of his abilities, for example, you get when he flings an enlarged bath ball to the audience. Many clowns do that, but Gulio makes it so subtle that the whole tent is full of joy and laughter – pure fun and games. Everyone is involved - everyone feels delighted. Only the good clown can act like this. And another original entrée: the clown comes up against a human-sized teeth in a giant mouth that can walk by its own power. It is then Gulio's job to make sure that the giant mouth’s teeth are brushed. Not an easy tasks, because the giant mouth both can walk around, responds and bite.

Gulio with toothbrush. All photos: Daniel Deleuran, Circus Mascot

And this year he has constructed an applause-board to measure the strength of the audience's applause. He does so, and the applause becomes so great that the machine explodes.

With his daughter Juliya, he has a priceless, funny entrée. It begins as the classic spaghetti entre, where the clown must serve for a restaurant guest. Here it goes completely grassy when the guest is served rat soup. Rat Soup! Who get such an idea? In the beginning, the soup floats with dead rats (of clothing), but soon the ring is swarming with rats. It's screamingly funny.

Juliya and Gulio will serve rat soup

Mrs. Gulyamov, who has kept her surname Primachenko, we have seen before - in a tissue act. This year she is still an aerial artist, but now in the vertical rope. And she does that superbly. with fast pirouettes while hanging in a foot, in an arm and in the neck. Strength, beauty and superb command of prop and body.

Tetyana Primachenko

Their son Husik appears in a costume that reminds one of an astronaut. Or is it a knight? He juggles with diabolos and makes it safe and convincing

There are lots of animals in the performance. For circus and animals belong together. You've seen Marianne's dog show before? But no, it feels fresh and new. Among other things because it starts with the dog Bobby which can do sums and this year also has learned to play piano. It does so - eagerly encouraged by Marianne's dog biscuits when it hits the right keys. And there are many other animals: ponies, the pigs Yrsa and Sille (presented by Marianne in a smart young girl outfit), goats, a goose, during the interval a donkey - and as mentioned rats.

Marianne Deleuran and Sille

The two African artists appear in costumes that do not look like the classic European costume. It seems like a colourful sportswear and it is probably an Ethiopian dress. They start the show with a hat juggling and they end it with a fine Risley act.

Abebe and Dessta with a Risley act i.e. foot-juggling with a partner while lying back on a trinka. They were among the 3 nominated acts for this year’s talent award

In short: it's new, but it's classic. It's fast-paced and humour-filled mood-filled without being hurried. It's true circus. What the full house tent also acknowledged with warm applause. No one got tired. But many wished it would continue. That's what it does - next year! So just go crazy again next year.

The tented season closed on 22 September in Skive.

Apart from performances in Galleriet shopping centre in Copenhagen in week 42 they presented some weekends before Christmas a 30 minute long performance in a number of Plantorama’s garden centers.

Zirkus Nemo

From 18 April which was opening night in Horsens and until 14 September Søren Østergaard visited a number of cities with his Zirkus Nemo, which he called Denmark's only circus for adults. Where the other Danish circuses have many one-day cities, Zirkus Nemo staid at least 5 days in a city and had never performances Monday and only rarely on Tuesdays. This make the work for both the artists and the tent crew less stressful than in the other Danish circuses.

Zirkus Nemo is a combination of a circus and a comedy show owned by Danish actor and comedian Søren Østergaard. In the later year’s Zirkus Nemo have been very successful with their “circus for adults”-concept. Apart from the comedy part of the show, this year with Soren Ostergaard and Laura Kvist Poulsen, you met some very good artists in the show. I quote from a review by Rud Kofoed, who gave the performance 6 stars (my translation):

Congratulations to Zirkus Nemo, which for 20 years has added to the Danish zirkus world an originality that has been worth waiting for.

The actor, comedian, the juggler, the knight of the Dannebrog, the artist, the clown and the circus director Søren Østergaard forgot to celebrate the anniversary last year, but in return does it this year with a six-star performance.

20 YEARS MADNESS THAT HAVE CHANGED THE CIRCUS WORLD

It is in the Zirkus Nemo’s ring that nothing becomes anything. It happens with an originality that remains so surprising that one has to lie down and breathe: - I have never seen anything like this!

Now it happens for the 21st time. It must be celebrated with a bang - and it becomes so emphatically that it must be advised Zirkus director Zøren Østergaard to tighten his guy ropes twice to avoid the tent suddenly being blown away by the audience’s enthusiasm!

It was a strong performance that last year which grew from five to six stars during the season. Here, the anniversary performance starts with a direct course towards an extension of the star system by being, if possible, even better and even more in its quirky disharmonious structure with Zøren Østergaard's personal gallery in the middle of a handful of star artists of a quality caliber, each standing as a superb top act. It's just too crazy.

This year's head act is literally said Duo Kvas. It is their neck vertebrae that you can almost hear the crunch when the two Ukrainians Vladimir Kostenko and Anton Savchenko present their absolutely incredible acrobatic strength. There is a more than usual good head on Vladimir, because not only can manage that Anton stands on his own head on top of it, but at the same time Vladimir can go to his knees and up again. The power demonstration is world class.

Duo Kvas - a power demonstration from Ukraine. They were among the 3 acts nominated for the best act of the year. All photos: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

That is Kim Tim (one of Søren Østergaards many parts) too - at least in his own greasy and seductive eyes. He preserves to some extend the gentleman style. This is somewhat more difficult for German ventriloquist Ernst Ditmar Bruchendorff Jr (another of Søren Østergaards parts)

The climacteric hit Marianne's energetic anniversary sweat in the left armpit should not be bypassed. Again, one of Søren’s parts. Well, she does not have rats in the belfry, but she has two who come flying into the ring after surviving the last season's rat race. The fact that you can train rats these years with a ban on wild animals in circuses life is in itself surprising, but at Nemo they can do it. It hardly lasts long before we see the first rat walk on hands in the ring. The animal trainer Ingo Stiebner has done such before with sea lions. Now the rats - almost - can do the same!

Marianne and a rat after the animal trainer Ingo Stiebner has taught the rat all his tricks from his time with the sea lions ...

The Zirkus director has a new part to offer: Ove Rudolf. He reveals how he unobtrusively smuggled his huge toaster as cabin baggage on the charter flight!

Zøren Østergaards good friend the Norwegian-born Las Vegas star Captain Frodo, is back with his external fight with tennis rackets, which in 2016 triggered The Danish Cicus Award for "Best act of the Year". The fact that nature has equipped him with a loose-jointed rubber body and an embracing confetti-enchanting charm makes him a very unusual phenomenon that one would defeat could be suitable for entertaining children, but he does so with as much success as in Nemo's Zirkus for Adults. Caroline Wozniacki certainly has a lot to learn about how to treat her best racket!

Captain Frodo could teach Caroline Wozniacki a lot about the tennis racket's secrets ...

The season's most prestigious magic act is presented by the Finnish couple Marko & Vanessa Karvo. The fact that Søren Østergaard succeeded in getting those world-class artists to Nemo is impressive because they do not belong to those who just have many birds on the roof. They also have them in their hands - and in the air over the head of the audience, being "awakened" the stroke of the wings of a large, colourful parrot. Cockatoos and other pigeons fly out of it just nothing when the bird king and the lady bewitch us.

The elegant, mysterious Finnish bird king Marko Karvo makes his magic entrée

Now, of course, we are not too wise either. We are told so by the smash man (another of Søren Østergaards parts). "Have you never seen yourself in the mirror, for the hell??!!! He was not particularly impressed with the anniversary dress. He actually vomited on his own underwear.

The lady who gets sawn in half with a loose hand in the middle of the nightmare ... for the shabby man is nothing sacred

After all that crudeness Menno & Emily van Dyke danced romantically into their great love adventure - the immortal meeting between the juggler and the ballerina, who ends up being for life. The Dutch Menno van Dyke and the French Emily Weisse are an aesthetic pleasure taking clubs and making a wild dance in a different way than the one we know from TV.

Menno and Emily - the romantic meeting between the juggler and the ballerina ...

Throughout the magnificent show, several eye-catching anniversary gifts are sprinkled. This is due to Tatiana & Hector. Behind the names hides the internationally renowned Duo Solys, who last year received the Danish Circus Award for "Best act of the Year" for their characterful acrobatic handstand act.

It now continues in a completely different style - as members of the Zirkus family.

In this gag the Cuban Hector Yzquierdo changes sex for a while. Click here to see more photos from the performance

In Aarhus, Copenhagen and Odense, Søren Østergaard's circus for children Zirkus Barnly visited the city at the same time as Zirkus Nemo. The small tent was put up at the same lot as Nemo. As in 2018, the main star was Captain Frodo, assisted by the circus servants Line and Jenny and Henning Amstrup's one man band.

Circus Trapez

Circus Trapez opened the season in Kolding on 12 April and toured during the season Jutland and Funen.

Circus Trapez was this year marketed as “Yakari - Indian Horse Show”. The performance was a children's theater performance with inserted artist acts.

This year's performance was based on story about the Indian boy Yakari, who is in search of the golden tree which leaves can give the chief his wisdom and magical powers back. Yakari is a comic strip / cartoon film character, which the children in Denmark know from DR television channel Ramasjang.

The part as Yakari was played by a 12-year-old girl Nynne Hulsig Samuelsen.

Yakari aka Nynne Hulsig Samuelsen. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The story about Yakari's search for the tree is a bit “thin” and largely based on Indian tableaus combined with artist or animal acts. All artists are wearing Indian suits. Artistically, the 3 Saabel daughters Alexandra, Kelly and Jennifer are the mainstay of the performance. The Danes know the Saabel family from Circus Benneweis 2011 and Circus Dannebrog 2013. At that time Alexandra did a nice handstand act. And together with her parents Tiziana and Bernhard, she rode elegantly high school and presented the family's well-known act with Siberian husky dogs. Today, the family has dropped the horses, but still travels around with the dog act and the daughters' acrobatic acts.

In this year's performance, the now 30-year-old Alexandra has handed over the handstand act to her little sister Kelly. When I saw the performance on Easter Sunday, Alexandra played the part as Yakari's mother, appeared in tissue and presented a big and little  horse act. However, the division of parts in the performance is not entirely in place, partly because a work permit for a Cuban artist is delayed.

The performance was initiated with a tableau with an Indian camp, where the youngest member of the Saabel family Jennifer did foot juggling with scarves and Alexandra appeared in tissue.

In the first tableau we met Jennifer Saabel as foot juggler and her elder sister Alexandra in tissue. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Next Yakari entered the ring with the pony Thunder, and it turned out that the Indian chief, played by Bernhard Kaselowsky, had lost his wisdom and magical powers which he could only get back if they found the golden tree.

Then Alexandra presented a classic big and little act - a Frisian horse and a pony.

Not at least smaller children love the entrée with a big and a little horse, here presented by Alexandra Saabel. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The clown in the performance was the young Michael Cadima. To fit into the story he was like the other performers dressed up as Indian and has no makeup, and his entrées were few and relatively short. In the first, a gentleman from the audience was allowed to dance limbo after Yakari and Michael had done so. Even blindfolded - and of course the limb was removed. The entrée is seen before, but most often with a skipping rope.

A tableau with canoes ended with Kelly Saabel's handstands / contortion act. Her final trick was when she while standing on her hands with her feet fired a bow so the arrow hits a balloon, see photo. Impressive!

Kelly Saabel as an archer. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The clown gag with the shark in the bathtub is an old acquaintance. The best version is probably with the Swiss clown André Broger. Michael Cadima also used the entrée and his version was neither worse nor better than Jimmy Folco’s in Circus Arena. Some smaller children found the shark music a little scary.

Jennifer Saabel and Yakari then presented Bernhard Kaselowsky's Welsh goats, which look great but cannot do much. Next act was an entrée with Bernhard Kaselowsky riding a horse, Kelly Saabel in aerial ring and Alexandra as the one who stood with the whip in the centre of the ring.

Next tableau featured Michael Cadimi as a juggler (not a clown edition). Also Yakari juggled with 3 balls. Then followed the Saabel family's elegant dog act where mama Titiane assisted her daughters.

The Saabel family dogs. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Most people know the clown gag where the clown want to have the audience clapping. Michael Cadimini did it in a quite charming version, where he used a drum instead of clapping his hands.

After a brief intermezzo with juggling with large rings, Bernhard Kaselosky's 4 Frisian hoses entered the ring.

It was the last act before the golden tree was brought in and the adventure could get a happy ending.

The final with the golden tree. Photo: Mr. Sputnik (Per Krogh Petersen). Click here to see more of his photos and video clip from the show.

The season ended September 15 September in Vojens.

Other performances

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

Katja Schumann has turned a farm outside Løkken in the northern part of Jutland to a circus farm where she during the summer months had performances. During the school’s autumn holidays CIRCUS MASCOT had performances in Spinderiet Shopping Centre in Copenhagen. CIRCUS ARENA produced a performance for Kolding Shopping Centre. BENNY SCHUMANN had performances in Glostrup Shopping Centre. At the Circus Museum in Hvidovre you could meet the juggler and acrobat Gugge.

Obituaries

Marta Carbayo, also known as Cantaclown, passed away 18 April after some time of illness. Marta Carbayo was born in Spain and has since 1992 lived by getting adult people guffaw. Living in Aarhus, Denmark she travelled all over Denmark and Europe to spread laughter and joy. She communicated without words from heart to heart and created a universe where everything could happen. Her amazing mime and sublime timing made her an eminent clown and one of the few female clowns.

Lotte Arli of Danish Circus Arli passed away on 13 October in the morning. She was 81 years old. When Lotte in 1957 met the Soren Arli Hansen both Lotte and Soren fall in love. They became a couple and created a comical juggling act called Lott and Arli. Furthermore Soren performed as whiteface clown and Lotte did mind reading using the artist name Madame Zarina. In 1971 they established Circus Arli. The first two seasons was spent in Jutland Mini Zoo in Haustrup. Since 1973 Circus Arli has toured Zealand with family-friendly performances and performers from the Ali family assisted some foreign artists, which is always are of good quality. After Søren Arli passed away in 2011, Lotte Arli continued the operation of the small circus in cooperation with her son and daughter-in-law Martin and Bettina Arli, who today are the owners of the circus. Funeraæ took place on 22 october from Grøndalskirken in Copenhagen.

Esben Aerius Esben Aerius (Esben Gregers Stahl Holck) passed away on October 22. He was 51 years old. He was educated at AFUK (the Academy for Untamed Creativity) in Copenhagen and later at the Moscow Circus School. From 1999 to 2008 he and his partner at that time Maja had great success as Duo Aerius, and they worked at a number of variety theatres in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. When the partnership stopped Esben went solo and worked as an aerial acrobat in metal chains with the act "Chains of Love". In recent years he was teaching at Innercirq and AFUK in Copenhagen.

23 December 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS - but also elsewhere - PRESSURE GROUPS who have given their soul to some opinion, they have elected THE GOOD ACTION , and this sparks unrest, demonstrations and in the worst of cases violences: shops, banks and institutions are the target for their violent expression of an opinion that they want everyone share.

For the circus is it not acceptable to have a yelling mob in front of the BIG TOP, causing economic consequences while there are means to express oneself in a democratic and decent way.

Paris is unfortunately no exception, LA MAIRIE / TOWNHALL/  that has no right to decide on this issue, has given in to pressure groups, inviting the Government to forbid predators , this issue is the right of the government only.

It is true that in older times, and very old at that, circus animals could be submitted to cruelty and live in to narrow cages, but these times are long gone, modern training is conducted with encouragement, pieces of food and mutual respect.

Anyhow, it is of little use to discuss with the concerned people, they are stuck in their opinion, often based on ignorance, and they go on preaching their mantra.

The solution to the "elephant problem" in Denmark, they are only 4, must be unacceptable, these elephants have lived all theire life in circus and will have big problems adapting to life in a natural reserve that they are not familiar with, and the decisionmakers should know that a new member of the flock is never accepted, neither in a park, nor on the African savannah.

If one gives in - there will be an endless flow of ---  new claims!

Letting former circus animals out on the savannah would cause their quick death - having always been catered for and not knowing to hunt.

Lack of knowledge of this issue has been the base of the decision and it is not to the advantage of  the concerned animals.

------------------------

PARIS, dec 2019, ROLF R. WOLLERT /fil.lic./  artist ZARRO ZARRO, journalist entertainment.

Swedish magic entertainer  Zarro Zarro has, since 2007 , been a prolific contributor , sending write - ups about mainly visual shows in Paris to Circus in Denmark. Zarro Zarro, aka  Rolf R. Wollert was born in  Stockholm in  1932, and was busy as a Secondary  School teacher in  Sweden, then in Zambia and the Ivory Coast, where he acted as a professional tutor for teachers-to-be. He lives in Paris since 1993, teaching practical English to secretaries. The pic to the right shows him on the Saintes Maries de la Mer /Provence/ beach, accompanied by daughter Madeleine, his partner when performing the Spirit Cabin. He put down a write-up of this act, you can see it here. Photos: Imad Daher.

16 December 2019

Francesco Fratellini to Circus Arli’s Golden Jubilee. After a year in the famous Swiss Circus Knie, the clown and multi-artist Francesco Fratellini will be back in Circus Arli in the upcoming season, which is Circus Arli’s 50th anniversary. Francesco's interaction with Alexander Arli was extremely successful in 2017 and 2018 where Francesco toured with Arli. He promised to come back for the Golden Jubilee. He keeps that promise, even though it he has got other offers. Francesco was in 2017 among the 3 nominees for the Talent Award from the Danish Circus Award.- Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

14 December 2019

Ads in the daily press have told of a new performance, Circus Christmas, which will be presented November and December 2020 in the tent used by Circus Summarum, first at the circus lot at Bellahoj in Copenhagen and later at Tangkrogen in Aarhus. As Circus Summarum, it is not a circus, but a children's theater. There will neither be acrobats nor clowns or animals. Where Summarum is based on popular figures from DR TV's children's shows, Cirkus Christmas will be based on figures from Danish children's books. As for Circus Summarum, the Danish Muscular Dystrophy Foundation produce the performance which they hope will generate profits for the foundation’s work.

14 December 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- a very annoying industrial action / sounds better than the crude word "strike" ?/, mainly by the transport industry.

It took off DEC 05, now DEC 14, the activists are focusing on a reform of the French pension system, already rather generous, that they refuse.

This means that  I have been unable to attend a number of shows, that certainly would have been interesting, CIRQUE ARLETTE GRUSS but also others: HOUSCH-MA-HOUSCH performs a one-man-show  at the THEATRE DEJAZET, impossible to get there without a running Metro,in the worst of cases, you succeed in getting there - but then there is no way to go home.

Info: click www.cirque-gruss.com och www.housch-ma-housch.de/en you will find photos and program.

Arlette Gruss has completed their visit to in Paris. Housch-Ma-Housch's last performance in Paris is scheduled for January 25, 2020. Monday to Friday at 19, Saturday at 15 and 19.

The comedian Semen Shuster, aka “Housch-ma-Housch”, was born in Ukraine and graduated from the “Circus School of Kiev”. Since 2000 the comedian and his family live in Germany. He has received several awards including the “Bronze Medal” at the “26e Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain” in Paris and the “Bronze Clown” at the “33ème Festival International du Cirque de Monte Carlo” in Monaco. For several years “Housch-ma-Housch” worked at the internationally famous revue theater, “Lido”, in Paris.

This strike can't last for ever, the partners know that they will eventually have to sit down and negotiate!

Political unrest is a part of French culture, President DE GAULLE apparently once said:

you can't govern a country that sports 200 kinds of cheese!!

I wish all my readers A MERRY X-MAS and a wonderful 2020 bringing strong visits to CIRCUS and pleasant performances by good artists!!!

MAY ALL YOUR DAYS BE AS HAPPY AS A CIRCUS DAY!!!

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

4 December 2019

There was full house when Baldoni's Christmas Circus visited the Center Hall in Allerød on December 3rd. René Mønster Baldoni is all in all well satisfied with the number of visitors for this year's Christmas circus. He is considering next year to visit more cities with the show and, in turn, reduce the number of shorter performances which some of the artist does under the name Circus Nisseshov. - Rene's debut as a circus owner was in 1998, when he toured with the Circus Theatre, which was a mix of children's theater and circus. From 2002 he changed the summer concept to a more traditional circus. Since 2007 he has every year in November and December presented Christmas circus in various arenas. These merry performances are close to the original concept from the Circus Theatre with a mix of children's theater and circus. 

3 December 2019

The Circus production "Mother Africa" is coming to Sweden 2020.

The show visits the following cities:

Stockholm February 19, 2020

Jönköping February 20, 2020

Gothenburg February 21, 2020

Borås February 22, 2020

Norrköping February 23, 2020

Linköping February 24, 2020

Växjö February 25, 2020

Malmö February 26, 2020.

The Show „Khayelitsha“ by Winston Ruddle and Hubert Schober (who created among others the legendary show „Afrika! Afrika!“) has already fascinated more than 300.000 people from London to Paris and from Helsinki to New York since 2014. From December 2019 till February 2020 this most successful production of CIRCUS MOTHER AFRICA will return to Germany, Austria,Switzerland and Sweden during its European Tour. With new spectacular showacts, powerful music and passionate dances exclusively African artists will guarantee 100% love of life. See more at www.circus-mother-africa.de/en/

Press photo from the performance

Click here to see a short video teaser.

3 December 2019

The Christmas shows and clown shows which Cirkus Mascot has presented in an number of Plantorama Garden Centres have been extremely well attended. That well that that Plantorama Center in Vejle, who had a visit by Circus Mascot on November 24 have asked them to repeat the performance on Sunday December 8, this day however only with clown performance

Among the stars in the show is Marianne Deleuran and the dog Pepsi, who can play Jinglebells on his keyboard. Click here for short video clips. Photo and video from Hillerød on December 1st. The following day Marianne was so unlucky to fall backwards over her royal poodle Anzo at home in the winter quarter in Roslev, and it turned out that she had broken her hip. Poor Marianne – we wish her speedy recovery.

Of course, there are clowns in Mascot's performances as well. Here Gulio with daughter Julia disguised as a denture.

1 December 2019 

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --  but also elsewhere -- my readers will here find an attempt to give an idea of a write up in Danish, by JORGEN LORENZEN, formerly priest in the Danish Protestant Church, as well as secondary school teacher and a cultural personality having a particular interest in VISUAL ACTS, i.e. circus, music hall and cabaret.

I will try to render justice to his write up ---  and then .... go beyond same.

So, here we go: JORGEN LORENZEN attended a very special cabaret, at two venues:  TEATER MAGISTRATEN, in the town of SILKEBORG, DK - and CAFE VON HATTEN, town of RANDERS, DK.

He chose the name of MAGIC UNDERGROUND to describe this original show, that sports a mix of funny, entertaining magical stunts and stand up comedy, featured by good artists: both venues are rather small, a middled-sized stage, all decorated in black, in the modern way, very sympathetic, although somewhat worn - which might contribute to the spirit of unpretendingness  that characterizes these events. and the public might find it appealing, as it conveys the message of artistic atmosphere which doesn't need any BLING BLING.

MAGICAL STUNTS and STAND UP COMEDY:

Christian de Wilde: a fantasy of silks and various items that appeared from nowhere and vanished

Christian de Wilde. Photos: Christian Langballe

Simon Olesen: an act with ropes and later a fakir-inspired one

Simon Olesen. Photo: Christian Langballe 

Frederik Lund: card performances

Jes Busk: stand up comedy

Tommy Nielsen: pseudo-mental -stage performance 

All in all - a pleasant evening, that would be even greater if it were  .....  combined with the burlesque - it might come true !!

--------------------------------

BEYOND the above, my comments: being closely related to mainly visual showbiz in PARIS, I attended a few years ago, a number of BURLESQUE, characterized by a combination of feminine beauty, self-irony, tongue-in-cheek humour and ----  some magical stunts in-between, very much like the show mentioned as above.

I meant that this was the start of a kind of vaudeville, where feminine beauty was mixed with visual magic or juggling - but alas !  -- it seems it did not continue - but we all do hope that it will!!

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE PRESENT!

This write up will spread the message that even quite small shows in small places and locations -  might be the fore-runners to ......  greater and more widely spread events -

this must be IMPORTANT !!!

PARIS, dec 2019 -  reported by  ZARRO ZARRO.

25 November 2019

The Winner of Danish Got Talent 2019 goes to the circus. After five live shows and the grand finale, the daredevil Alex Porsing got the title as winner of TV2's entertainment program 'Denmark Got Talent’' 2019. Second place went to magician Sunny Cagara. Alex Porsing's three-man troupe FMX Denmark is booked for the 2020 season in Circus Arena. "My most expensive act ever," circus owner Benny Berdino says.

In the act Alex did at the finals, he flew on his motocross bike from a ramp through the air where he made a somersault before running into an inflatable rubber pad from which the air was shut off. Wearing a crash helmet that he couldn't look out of! Click here to see his stunt.

It will hardly be this trick the audience can see in Circus Arena next year. It's far too dangerous, both for the rider and the audience. In the Denmark Got Talent finale the act was for the same reason presented before the audience came into the studio. Thus the audience saw it on video, not live.

Denmark's Got Talent 2019 will by the way be the last broadcast in the series so far, as the number of viewers in recent years not has been satisfactory. The broadcast is based on the English concept Got Talent.

24 November 2019

Joe Labero UNEXPECTED VISIT. In Denmark it is difficult to sell tickets to magic shows. Maybe just apart from Rune Klan with his combination of magic and stand up, it has not been a success when Danish magicians have tried a Danish tour. The quality has been in high. But that is of no help when the audience won’t come as with Michael Deutsch's magic show some years ago and Baldoni's show Crazy with magic in January and February 2016.

The Swedes are much more interested in magic shows. Since October 11, Sweden's most popular magician Joe Labero has visited a number of Swedish cities with his 80-minute long performance UNEXPECTED VISIT. In many cities it was sold out. This was also the case when he visited Ängelholm north of Helsingborg on 22 November.

Joe Labero is born in 1963. The artist name is composed of syllables in his birth name: Lars Bengt Roland Johansson. Already as a 12-year-old boy he was fascinated by the magic, and he is the Swedish magician, who in recent years has been most successful both in Sweden and elsewhere in the world.

The Danes saw him first time with the show Rhapsody in rock with magic, which he on December 8 and 9, 2002 presented at the Falconer Theater in Copenhagen together with the Swedish pianist and singer Robert Wells. The show was great, but did not become the commercial success the organizers had hoped for. They had not taken into account that both Robert Wells and Joe Labero were unknown in Denmark, and that it for many years hasn’t been possible to draw any larger audience to magic shows in Denmark.

In November and December 2003, the audience could see Joe Labero at Wallmans in the Copenhagen Circus building. Here, too, the audience was less than they had hoped for. The same was the case when he had a performance at the Falconer Theater a few years later.

But as I wrote: In Sweden there is a greater interest in magic shows, and I had a good experience when I saw Labero's performance in Ängelholm on November 22 together with my son and my magic interested 12 years old grandson.

Compared to the shows Labero has presented in Denmark, Unexpected Visit was a slightly smaller show with fewer illusions. But presented with charm, elegance and talent for misdirection, i.e. to divert the audience's attention from what is actually happening.

As something I've never seen before, Labero presented a fine version of the lady sawn in half trick with a 9-year-old boy from the audience. Oscar was not sawn over, but just cut over with two sharp metal plates. But it was an impressive innovation to present such act with a person from the audience instead of a female assistant. And I don't think Oscar was a secret assistant.

Later in the show, Labero also presented a nice version of the floating lady. Again with a person from the audience. But here she might have been a secret assistant. The illusion presupposes that one chooses a person who lies without moving on the platform both before and during the floating.

Labero also showed other classic tricks. For example, the banknote on which an onlooker writes his autograph and with later appears in a lemon or orange. One of e.g. Poul Arland's and Tergova's favourite tricks. And the trick with the floating table, which Kim Kenneth has presented both in Circus Benneweis and in Circus Baldoni. And the trick with the 3 wedding rings, borrowed from spectators, which suddenly hangs together in a chain. At Labero, the trick ended up with the rings hanging on a crossbow arrow when it after passing an apple on Labaro's head hit the target.

Although the show did not offer much magical news, it was nonetheless a good and interesting experience.

The show will probably be broadcasted on Swedish TV1 on 31 December at. 20:00.

Joe Labero. Press photo

21 November 2019

Baldoni's Christmas Circus 2019. Jacob Boas Leitisstein saw the premiere performance and writes (my translation):

For several years it has become a tradition that in November and December, Circus Baldoni presents a two-hour long Christmas performance under the name Baldoni's Christmas Circus. This year there was premiere at the show on Saturday, November 16.  As always in the Fencing Hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. At the premiere, the hall was filled with children and adults who experienced a performance filled with circusfun and Christmas cheer.

This year's three recurring people were once again Nisseline, Nis and Santa Claus (Cindy Binau Nielsen, Frederik Vejs and René Mønster Baldoni).

Nisseline and Nis couldn't find Santa when the show was about to start - and quickly found out he was vacationing in Hawaii. Fortunately, he left quickly and suddenly Santa Claus entered the ring wearing Hawaiian shirt and shorts. Of course, he had to go home and change into his real Christmas dress and he therefore left presentation of the Christmas circus to Nisseline and Nis.

Santa in Hawaii shirt - it really doesn't work, Nis says. All photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The first act in the Christmas circus was a balancing and juggling act with Rudi Janecek. In the number Rudi juggled with both rings, balls, clubs and clubs on fire - all while standing and rolling on a big ball.

Juggler on giant ball

Before the next artist entered the ring it was the Santa Claus' (René Mønster Baldoni) and the Christmas pig Anton's turn. They were followed by a short run-in with Nisseline and Nis.

In the summer season the ventriloquist’s doll is the lion Leonardo. In the winter the Christmas pig Anton

The next act was filled with air. It was the clowns Red & Blue wearing an inflatable strong man costume.

An "aerial act" - clown in inflatable costume

After that, it was time for "Pixie Got Talent", where Nisseline and Nis of cause had to participate. Nis juggled with a football and Nisseline song a beautiful Danish Christmas classic "Søren Banjomus" which is based on the American song "Skiddy-mer-rink-a-doo".

Nisseline and Nis then presented the balance star Eddie Janecek. Eddie did chair balance with up to five chairs. It was the last act before the break.

A Baldoni veteran: Eddie Janecek

After the break Santa Claus was back in his proper clothes and presented Maria Janecek. To the song " A meteor shower of snow ", Maria did graceful acrobatics in her half-moon. The act ended like the song, with snow descending over the ring.

The girl in the moon - Maria Janecek

Then the Red & Blue clowns came into the ring again - this time juggling with a lot of brightly coloured umbrellas.

Before Red & Blue again came into the ring with a visually beautiful light act the Christmas pig Anton played a small Christmas melody on his harmonica.

Now the pixies Julius, Eddie and Nisseline entered the ring with full music. The act was a Christmas edition of "Don’t play here” with both saxophones and trumpets. A nice act where you really got into the Christmas mood with live music.

The pixies Julius (aka René) and Eddie play the saxophones they bought earlier this year from John Lington: a small red alto sax and a small coloured soprano sax.

Last act before the finale was Kaya Janecek with his fine rola bola act. An act wich in 2018 got Kaya nominated for that year's talent prize from the Danish Circus Award.

The young talent Kaya Janecek

In the final all the artists entered the ring singing the familiar Baldoni song, while the snow fell over them.

Click here to see more photos from the show.

Again this year, Baldoni's Christmas Circus presented a cosy Christmas show with lots of great Christmas songs and lovely Christmas music.

The Christmas show can be seen in sports centres etc. in Zealand and Falster until 20 December. Take a closer look at What’s on.

20 November 2019

The Circus Festival in Budapest. It is a tradition for many Danish circus friends to visit the festival in Budapest. There are pt. 25 signed up for the trip to the Budapest Festival organized by Briano’s Circus Tours from 9 to 12 January 12 2020. There are several familiar faces among the artists who Brian and his companions can see at this year's festival.

Kolev Sisters got their international breakthrough in Circus Arena in 2019 and was awarded this year's Talent Prize from the Danish Circus Award. Jury chairman Ole Simonsen predicted it would be their first but certainly not their last award. Brian and his guests cross their fingers for Kolev Sisters hoping they will get a prize in Budapest.

Yves Nicols and Ambra Faggioni toured with Circus Benneweis in 2010. They also participated in the Budapest Circus Festival in 2014, where they were awarded a bronze Pierrot. They will also participate at the Budapest Festival in 2020. The photo to the left is from Benneweis and the photo to the right from Budapest 2014

Semen Krachinov was able to keep many balls in the air when he was with Circus Benneweis in 2013 with his Krachnikov Fire of Juggling entrée. A very good performed juggler entrée with a breath-taking pace. In January he is among the artists at the Budapest festival. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

12 November 2019

Five stars performance with one star. My good friend Jørgen Lorenzen had invited me to Silkeborg in Jutland on Saturday 9 November to see the performance L'Homme-Cirque (The One-Man Circus) with the Swiss artist David Dimitri. My expectations of what the organizers called "a unique contemporary circus performance, performed by only 1 person” was not great, and there is a quiet a distance from the greater Copenhagen area, where I live, to Silkeborg. But with cheap trains tickets on Saturdays and Sundays I decided to take the trip.

And the performance in David Dimitri's small tent became one of my best circus visits in 2019. Definitely worth 5 stars in the scale used for reviews in newspapers.

In the queue in front of the tent you can see Agnete Louise Enoch, Irene Thierry and Jørgen Lorenzen. All photos are smartphone photos, taken by Ole Simonsen

In the well-heated tent, 56-year-old David Dimitri turned out to be both a skilled and charming multi-artist. It was impressive what he as the sole performer could do. And there was plenty of humour and good ideas in the show which he started with changing shoes. Standing on one leg. If you don't think it sounds difficult, give it a try! David Dimitri also repeated the act with the shoe on an exercise treadmill!

All in all there was much inventiveness in the way a number of classic circus acts were performed. A vaulting horse, as we know it from school sports, was rigged like a real horse that could even make horse droppings! And a springboard number where Dimitri played harmonica during the jump could be done by dropping a sack on the other end of the springboard. After the first sack, David Dimitri released, hit him in the head. Of course not by mistake, but as part of the performance.

David Dimitri was originally trained as a tight wire acrobat. Thus the show also offered a tight wire act where he elegantly and stylishly performed first a backwards and later a forward salto. By the way, he also played the trumpet while lying on the wire.

In a cannon act many people probably expected to see him crawl out of the cannon with the clothing in rags, such as e.g. the clown Bonbon does. But no - he let himself be shot out of the cannon and then grabbed a rope (vertical rope), which hung down from the tent dome.

The approx. one-hour long performance ended with David Dimitri stepping out of the tent on a wire and continuing up to a high pole from which he, after taking some selfies, climbed down and greeted his enthusiastic audience. Click here to see video clips from this act.

« Thank you for a Fantastic Performances in Silkeborg - You are Absolutely Amazing! » the circus queen Agnete Louise Enoch wrote. She was for many years ringmistress in Circus Dannebrog which closed after season 2016. Her she is seen with David Dimitri. In the background Jørgen Lorenzen.

10 November 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --  THEATRE LA SCALA proudly presents an excellent show: MACHINE DE CIRQUE, LA SCALA is an ancient theatre, that had had its days of glory, but then went bust and declined, luckily it is now completely refurbished and ready to assume its former activities: theater, concert, circus.

MACHINE DE CIRQUE: 4 acrobats, one multi-musician perform breath-taking acrobatic stunts, partly on an apparently custom-made four-level high structure, serving as bar and rail for the acrobatic features, partly directly on the floor.

A spring-board, a trapeze and a Chinese pole/mast allow them to perform stunts that one would think are impossible, on top of that they perform as outstanding jugglers, using Indian clubs.

A sequence of this show that lasts 90 min. consists of a super hilarious sketch where they quit their outfit, then in an incredibly funny way hide their private parts using white towels, and, mind you - they succeed in doing this, keeping within the borders of good taste and thus respect for the public.

Photos by courtesy of Theatre La Scala

A masterpiece of comedy!!

Well worth seeing  - -  IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

See more: www.machinedecirque.com and short video clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=RNtU-Lht9Vg

The show was shown in Paris until November 2, is now on tour in a number of other French cities and will later also visit Lithuania, Germany, Canada, Italy and Belgium, see

https://machinedecirque.com/fr/calendrier/ 2019

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

5 November 2019

What do circus people do in the winter season? If you think they are just enjoying holiday you are wrong. Everyone is preparing for the 2020 season. In addition to maintaining the equipment, there is a lot of time-consuming paperwork. Not only with booking of artists - many contracts are already in place - but also with obtaining necessary permits, preparing tour lists etc. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Danish system has become increasingly bureaucratic. E.g. in old days, reservations of a municipal owned circus lot could be cleared by a call to the one in the municipality that took care of that kind of tasks. Today, an application form must be submitted via a PC with a lot of attachments. If a circus is to use several lots in the same municipality, you often have to submit the identical material for each lot.

Many circus people are also active in other ways during the winter season.

Circus Baldoni has both a number of approx. 2 hours long performances under the name Baldoni's Christmas Circus as well as several teams touring Denmark with shorter performances under the name Circus Nissesjov.

From the finale in Baldoni's Christmas Circus 2019

Circus Mascot has a number of performances in Plantorama's garden centres. Either short traditional performances or performances where e.g. the clown Gulio is in one of Plantorama's departments, making balloon animals and making lots of fish and fuss.

Photo from a previous Mascot performance in a Plantorama center

See What’s on for info of time and place for Baldoni's Christmas Circus and Mascot's performances in Plantorama.

The Arli family are for the sixth consecutive year in charge of Hans Christian Andersen's Christmas market in Copenhagen. Just like last year, the location is at Nytorv in central Copenhagen. The market is open from November 15 to December 21. Sunday to Thursday 11am - 7pm and Friday + Saturday 11am - 8pm.

Martin Arli with Santa Claus. Photo from 2018

4 November 2019

Obituary: Esben Aerius.The Danish aerial acrobat and artist Esben Aerius (Esben Gregers Stahl Holck) passed away on October 22. He was 51 years old. He was educated at AFUK (the Academy for Untamed Creativity) in Copenhagen and later at the Moscow Circus School. From 1999 to 2008 he and his partner at that time Maja had great success as Duo Aerius, and they worked at a number of variety theatres in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. When the partnership stopped Esben went solo and worked as an aerial acrobat in metal chains with the act "Chains of Love". He also had an act called Sculpture in Motion and proved his talent as a multi-artist in some one-man performances. In 2010 he performed at AFUK Untamed Nightcabaret. In 2011, one could see him with the theater group De Slagfaste in the performance "The Circus Princess" about Kätchen Renz where he performed as the artist group Aerius Brothers with several fine acts: chains, tissue, handstand, balance, sculpture (the big white worm, also called Slinky) and as ostrich. In recent years he was teaching at Innercirq and AFUK in Copenhagen.

Esben Aerius with the act Chains of Love

4 November 2019

The Hungarian National Circus of the Jozsef Richter family. Usually we do only bring Scandinavian News + as a special feature news from Paris. However, one the main attractions in the Hungarian National Circus is the Casselly family, known by Danes for many seasons in Danish Circus Arena and by Swedes for some seasons in Swedish Circus Skratt. Furthermore several Danes have visited The Hungarian National Circus with Briano’s CircusTravels. Due to this I have welcomed this write up from our British friend John Cooper:

A recent visit to the Hungarian capital of Budapest enabled me to see one of the season's last performances of The Hungarian National Circus of the Jozsef Richter family. This took place at the show's winter quarters, quite a distance from the city centre.

As many readers will realise, it was to this show that the Casselly family went with their elephants and horses after many years with Denmark's Cirkus Arena. That it is now their summer home has much to do with the fact that Merrylu Casselly has married Jozsef Richter Junior.

Both the elephant act and the riding act are joint efforts between the Richter and Casselly families, and feature Merrylu, husband Jozsef and brother Rene Junior as well as one or two other artistes.

Rene Casselly Senior directs his elephants as Jozsef Richter Senior (a former elephant man) looks on. The act highlights somersaults by the younger Rene from a springboard to the back of an elephant, a feat I first saw performed by The Richter Troupe several years ago.

The riding act is of jockey type, as well as including acrobatics on horseback. The horses are kept up by whoever is not riding at the time.

Alexia Casselly is on hand throughout both of these acts, but neither she nor her husband takes part in the show's finale.

The semaphore act of Laci Simet (billed here under his given name of Laszlo) and his two ladies was in Denmark with Arena in 2018 and continues to impress.

Additionally Laci presents a motorcycle on the high-wire act, with one of the girls on a trapeze beneath the wire. The rotation of the bike around the wire is included.

The final tour of Cirkus Benneweis in 2015 included the modern clowning of Italian brothers Steve and Jones. On Richter they repeated two routines I recall from Benneweis, as well as Steve performing a solo comedy number with audience participation. Steve also has a very good diabolo act with up to five diabolos.

As you may know, Steve and Jones are brothers to Jessica Caveagna, who is the partner (both in and out of the ring) of Danish illusionist Kim Kenneth.

See more including videoclips at www.magyarnemzeticirkusz.hu

Whilst in Budapest I saw the latest show at the Municipal Circus Building. It has no acts which have appeared in Denmark as far as I am aware, but I recommend it highly. It runs until 31 December.

Two weeks after my visit Florian Richter's Circus was due in Budapest, Florian being another son of Jozsef Richter Senior. Next time I shall check websites more carefully!

Good news (to my mind) is that the Hungarian Government has agreed plans for the building of a new circus building more centrally in the city. Once it has opened (and not before), the current building will close. No time scale has been announced.

4 November 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --  we visit THEATERS --  THE ALHAMBRA  proudly presents YOGANE MAGIC SHOW by and with YOGANE, one of the very few female magic entertainers,  this happens in the very theater that replaces the ancient ALHAMBRA, same central area , referring to MAURICE CHEVALIER, still spiritually present in French theater life.

The performance is called "Ma Sorcière Préférée 1" ("My favorite witch 1"). All photos by courtesy of Yogane.

YOGANE meets her young audience with parents in a minor local sporting a likewise minor stage,filled with secret and interesting objects - what will happen when using these items?

This stage setting goes well with YOGANE'S dress, she is wearing an outfit becoming to an -elegant - witch.

The witch Yogane

The highlight of the show is the presentation of the classic UMBRELLA ILLUSION, as well as THE FLOATING TABLE.

A classic magic trick: the floating table

YOGANE uses a lot of interaction with the kids, they are enthralled, as are their parents, always happy to see  their offspring having - a great and happy time !

The approx. 1 hour performance can be seen until January 5, 2020, in most weeks, however, only Saturday and Sunday.

See more: www.yogane.fr

Venue: ALHAMBRA THEATRE,  21 RUE YVES TOUDIC,  75010 PARIS. Metro: Republique.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

1 November 2019

Circus Baldoni 2020. René M Baldoni has disclosed the name of some of the performer in Circus Baldoni 2020. Season opening will be in the end of March. He writes (my translation):

“The 2020 performance will be titled POWER. This is not without reason. We have engaged one of the world's most powerful strongmen, Denis Ilschenko. Every day when he works out in the gym he lifts 420 kg and in the ring he spins a tree trunk around his the neck with 6 people on the tree trunk. You also get to see the powerful woman Martyn Chabri, multi-musician and quick-change, and the handstand artist Michael Mudrak, who with his raw strength impresses everyone. Of course we have lots of clowns and the lion Leonardo (a ventriloquist doll) who probably also have had a walk in the fitness centre. It will be our strongest program ever.”

Deniz Ilchenko was with Swedish Circus Brazil Jack in 2017. He juggled with tires, pulled a car by a bit and spun a tree trunk around his the neck. A feat, which he then repeated with 4 people on the tree trunk, see photo. At the end of the entrée he was run over by a car. In 2018 he toured with the Norwegian Circus Arnardo, and this year he has been in Finland with Circus Finlandia. In 2020, the Danes can meet him.

Martyn Chabry with the Christian name Martine Gombert is daughter of the clown Toto Chabri and Mrs. Nora. She spent much of her childhood in the Circus Building in Copenhagen, where her father was no less than 7 seasons. The first time the Danes saw Martyn Cabry's musical act with smart costume changes, variations and personality was at Circus Benneweis in 1998. She was back at Benneweis in 2005 and 2014.

Michel Mudrak was the male partner of the duo Hands to Violin, which was with Baldoni in 2016. The duo was nominated for the award for best act of the year. In season 2020 you will meet Michel with a strong handstand act which probably ends with Encho's trick where the bricks fall down.

The very musical Eddie Janacek will as in the 2018 season be one of the clowns. In one of the entrées he is in the ring with René Baldoni, who plays a saxophone, which he bought earlier this year from John Lington.

26 October 2019

Book review: Dick H. Vrieling: Wim Vos – Grootmeester in de leeuwenkooi  (Grandmaster in the lion cage). Club van Circusvrienden Nederland 2019. Softcover, 100 pages with many photos.

The Dutch circus friends association Club van Circusvrienden Nederland can this year celebrate their 70 year jubilee. To celebrate the jubilee they have published a book about Wim Vos (William Vos), one of the best Dutch animal trainers. Unfortunately he died in August, shortly before the book was published.

The author is the well-known Dutch circus historian and author of books about circuses Dick H Vrieling who already when he was a child became fascinated of circus.

Wim Vos had a long international career and worked at major circus companies in Europe, the United States, South America, Japan and Thailand. In his impressive career he trained not just lions but also tigers, bears, and elephants. At the age of 70 he trained a large group of tigers in Tigerworld in the Le Zoo d'Amnéville in France.

Unfortunately, this book is also an ode to an apparently extinct profession of wild animal trainers as the so-called animal friends in 2015 persuaded the Dutch Government to ban the occurrence of predators in circuses. As when we got at similar ban in Denmark in 1963 not based on facts but on what activist who never goes to the circus believe.

Although the language in the book is Dutch is it also interesting for foreigners as there is a lot of photos. And with knowledge to German it is possible to understand a good part of the Dutch text.

The book can be ordered via Mr. Edmond Denos, e-mail: evae.denos@gmail.com.

Prepayment of 29.50 Euro to ING Bank no. NL29 INGB 0000 2517 95 on the name of Club van Circusvrienden Nederland

26 October 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- BOUGLIONE CIRQUE D'HIVER has started the X-mas winter season in their beautiful permanent building in central Paris.

The winter season's performance is called the Défi which means something like challenge

It might be impossible to compose a better program, although this one doesn't feature horses, lions, elephants or flying trapeze.

We were treated to:

WITHOUT SOCKS - fresh and updated clowning entrés

The 3 Russian clowns Without Socks got their European breakthrough at the Budapest circus festival in 2018 and during the summer season 2019 they toured Germany with Circus Krone. All photos are press photos from Bouglione Cirque d'Hiver

DANIEL GOLLA -remote controlled aircraft

Daniel Gorra and his aircraft. A very original act!

DUO AA - original par terre acrobatics

TROUP BINGO - high class acrobatics

VICTORIA BOUGLIONE- super original hula hoop

REGINA BOUGLIONE - camels and lama

Regina Bouglione with her betureful animals

NATALIA and SAMPION BOUGLIONE- straps

EVGENY KOMISARENKO- dog show

ASEL SARALAEVA- cat show

KONSTANTIN MURAVIEV- German wheel

WHITE NIGHT- juggling big balls riding a monobike WITHOUT SADDLE, only one wheel

DUO SHOCK- wheel of death

Circus band directed by PIERRE NOUVEAU

Ringmaster MICHEL PALMER.

Michael Palmer is the elegant ringmaster

The entire program is brilliant, it reflects originality, joy of performing, a joyfull mood and plenty of surprises.

Absolutely worth seeing, the interior of the building is beautiful, the music is enthralling, - everything reminds us of a fairy tale !!

The season started 12 October and ends 15 March 2020. In some periods there are only performances on Saturday and Sunday

See more: www.cirquedhiver.com with possibility of ticket ordering

Venue: CIRQUE D'HIVER, 110 rue Amelot, 75011  Paris. Metro:  FILLES DE CALVAIRE.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

25 October 2019

The quiet circus queen. On Wednesday 30 October Hanne Berdino can celebrate her 75 year birthday. In 1967 she married Benny Berdino, who at that time was “circus prince” in his father’s tiny Circus Arena. When Benny's father passed away in 1976 Benny became owner of Circus Arena, which since then has grown and today is the largest circus in the Nordic countries. While Benny Berdino is known as an outgoing and sociable person with a lot of show, Mrs. Hanne is a quiet person who for many years has preferred to stay in the background and devote herself to the family with two children, Suzanne and Jackie, and six grandchildren.

Hanne Berdino. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Hanne Berdino comes from an old circus family, the Reinsch family, who especially was known as excellent riders. Three of the family members, Alex, Albert and Arthur were known as the Reinsch Brothers. One of the troupe members was able standing on bareback horse to perform a double backwards somersault from a two man high to an upright position on the following bareback horse. A trick which I believe no one else has been able to accomplish.

Hanne Berdino’s maiden name was Thunø but she was called Reinsch as her mother when Hanne was seven years old married Alex Reinsch. Thus, Hanne grew up at the Reinsch family and got as other artist children an all-round artist training. Through the artistic environment she met Benny and they fell in love and were married. For several years she was part of the performances in Circus Arena, where she presented pigeons and dogs and was one of the magician Tergova’s assistants. Hanne left the ring in the mid-1980s and has since then remained in the background, but at the same time been an invaluable support to her husband and children.

The birthday is celebrated at the Berdino family’s home in Aarslev where Circus Arena has their winter quarters.

22 October 2019

More about Circus and artists during the autumn holidays (Continuation of the write up dated 18 October)

Circus Big

Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited Circus Big in Esbjerg and writes (my translation).

Over the past few years, the tiny Circus Big has been visiting Esbjerg's shopping centre Broen Shopping what they did this year as well.

At one of the small squares in the centre, Big had set up his cosy setup with ring, backdrop and stools and cushions for the audience. The small cushions were of course for the children, so they could get very close to the ring.

The performers in the show this year were Mr. Big (Benjamin Breith) and Andreas Magic (Andreas Brunsborg Larsen) - and as a prelude to each performance, the two made a circus parade with full music and dance in the streets of the centre. The parade ended in the ring and then the performance could begin.

Mr. Big welcomed and started by getting the audience in the right circus mood. It was followed by some juggling with up to three hats.

Mr. Big (Benjamin Breith) warms up the audience. All photos from Esbjerg: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

After that Andreas Magic came in the ring trying to present a nice magic act. But he was interrupted by the singing Mr. Big. A fine version of the well-known entrée "Don’t play here”.

After that, the show offered a short rola-bola act with Mr. Big and the clown gag with the gun and the balloon. The next act was "duo-yoga" with comic acrobatics.

Rola Bola

Last act in the show was Mr. Big's number in the giant balloon. A funny act which also resulted in lots of laughter and smiles on the lips of the audience.

Mr. Big in the balloon. Click here to see more photos from the show.

More photos from Circus Mascot in ‘Spinderiet’

Review: see October 18. Daniel Deleuran, who turns 30 on Saturday, was ringmaster. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the show.

More photos from Benny Schumann's Mini Circus in the Glostrup shopping centre

Review: see October 18. Photo: Mr. Sputnik aka Per Krogh Petersen. Click here to see more of his photos from the show.

20 October 2019

Circus and Denmark’s Got Talent. At the live show on October 21 in the Danish version of Got Talent both the talents that went on to the finals on November 23 had circus relations.

The first was the artist Johnny, whose civil name is Jonathan Bendtsen. In Got Talent he has so far performed with diabolo and cyr wheel. He is 26 years old and comes from Skanderborg.

The other was 25-year-old daredevil Alex Porsing. He showed a nerve-wracking act where he took on a helmet so he could see nothing, and put the throttle to the bottom of his motocross bike to blindfolded drive up a ramp into the Got Talen’s studio. From the ramp, he flew through the air - at one point only a meter from the ceiling - to land first on another ramp and then finally run into an inflatable rubber pad from which the air was shut off. Some might call him more of a daredevil than an artistic talent. His three-man troupe FMX Denmark is booked for the 2020 season at the Circus Arena, where the troupe will make the wildest ramp stunts. "My most expensive act ever," circus owner Benny Berdino says. Click here to see the stunt that secured Alex Porsing a place in Got Talents finals.

Ramp stunts are nothing new in the circus. Here is a clip from a poster for Circus Schumann, where one of the attractions in 1926 and 1932 was Nic Diavolo, who on a bicycle did looping the loop in open loop. He was presented as the newest American sensation that put all other looping men in shadow. 

20 October 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS   --  always new and traditional shows, interesting, pleasant and pleasing, CIRQUE GONTELLI, managed by an old circus-family: dad SERGE, mum FABIOLA, son CHRISTIAN, daugther MARY, son CLAYTON who all perform various circus acts.Occasionally the part of the family who is based in MARSEILLE intervenes.

Eldest daugther OPHELIE, recently married to an interior decorator, has left the circus, after having performed as an aerial acrobat, Queen of doves as well as partner to the clowns SERGE and CHRISTIAN.

To the left : Clayton is warming up the audience. To the right : Serge Gontelli owner of GONTELLI welcomes the audience. All photos: Noufou Ouedraogo, Paris

POINTS OF INTEREST: CIRQUE GONTELLI  is specialized in children's entertainment, they target the age group 2 - 7, they have virtually no competition as they offer performances that invite the small fry to see - and -  participate in various shows, in PARIS during summer, in MARSEILLE in winter, they do everything themselves, putting up and taking down posters, raising and taking down  the small   BIG TOP, and this in all kinds of weather, sunshine or rain, they play in the small squares of  Paris, having a permission licence from the  TOWN HALL,  to the joy of the children in the area, and for  the pleasure of their parents, happy to see their offspring having a great time!

A cultural institution of great value!

Sarah, photographer Noufou Ouedraogo's daugther

Program that alternates: cowboy-lasso-acts, antipodism/footjuggling - juggling balls, clubs, rings/ rola bola/ hula hoop/ tight wire dancing/ aerial acrobatics,/ performing goats, cats, white mice, doves/magic/ - some sketches are inspired by popular TV kids' shows like PAW PATROL or. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN's fairy tales.

To the left : Christian on 8-level rola bola. To the right : Serge performing the classic MUSIC FORBIDDEN.

At my latest visit we were treated to LA FEE CLOCHETTE, a young and beautiful girl performing an act with SOAPBUBBLES, the small fry took an active part, they saw a fairy tale princess, recalling the fairy tale stories, graciously and esthetically.

Fairy tale princess Clochette, featuring giant bubbles, an act worthy of Bouglione.

A wonderful experience for enthralled kids, a piece of quality time for their parents who enjoy seeing their offspring being happy. Click here to se a video clip from one of the performances.

The program can be appreciated by children who don't speak French, as it is rather VISUAL.

See more: http://les-gontellis.e-monsite.com -- google translation from  French is possible

Circus lots : check in L'OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES, € 1, all news stalls.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

18 October 2019

Denmark's youngest circus director turns 30. On Saturday, October 26, Circus Director Daniel Deleuran, Roslev, turns 30. Daniel Deleuran made as a child his debut in the ring in his family's circus, Circus Mascot, which was established in 1994. Already as a 2-year-old, Daniel was asked if he could say 'Circus Mascot' when the circus should have a name that even very young children could pronounce, and that's how the name was found. In the following years he could be seen as a clown, magician, cowboy, goat trainer, strongman and oriental snake charmer with a snake which turned out to be a chicken made of rubber.

6-year-old Daniel as the mysterious snake charmer who has stored a rubber chicken in the basket. Photo: Circus Mascot

When Daniel was 11, one of the artists Cirkus Mascot had engaged asked him if he would like to learn how to walk on the slack wire. He liked the idea, and the circus had to invest a wire that could be hung between the 2 masts of the tent. After 1œ years of training, the act was ready. Later Daniel also learned how to make rola bola balance, juggling with balls and clubs, doing handstands on stacked chairs and doing acrobatics in aerial straps. A few years later, he also made a '2 man strong' act with his little brother Andreas.

Daniel with his little brother on the neck 2013. A trick that took many hours to learn.
Photo: Anne Marie Jørgensen

In 2014, Daniel's father had had enough of the circus life. Daniel therefore took charge of the small circus together with his mother Marianne Deleuran. He has put the acrobatics on the shelf and is now Cirkus Mascot's popular ringmaster, just as he presents Cirkus Mascot's ponies.

Daniel as ringmaster 2019. Photo: Anne Steen

In the beginning, Cirkus Mascot only toured in Jutland, but for the past several years they have also visited Funen and Zealand in the middle of the summer, where for several seasons they have spent the month of July in Summerland Zealand.

The birthday with the round figure is celebrated at home in Roslev.

18 October 2019

Circus and artists during the autumn holidays. At several places in Denmark you could during week 42 see circus and artist performances. Some are mentioned below. Mention of more performances follows next week.

Circusland – the autumn holidays 2019

Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited Circusland and writes (my translation):

Circusland in Slagelse offered as always a variety of live shows during the autumn holidays. The park's overall theme is just like during the summer holidays about the fairyland Esdelot - with Madame Betty (Suzanne Berdino) and Mister Tik Tak (Briano Behrendt) as the overall characters.

The first show in Circusland is usually the sea lion show. But since the sea lions are no longer allowed to perform, the sea lion show was replaced with a Halloween show. The huge sea lion pool had been covered and now served as a large stage. The scene was beautifully decorated with pumpkins, bales of straw and ghosts, so you got the right Halloween mood.

The former sea lion pool is now covered and served as the stage for a Halloween show. All photos from Circusland: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The story in the Halloween show was that Madame Betty had been turned into a big pumpkin by the evil Morgana (Silvana Biasini). During the show Madame Betty tried to get hold of Morgana so that she could get her own figure back. Otherwise, the show was built around a lot of short artist entrées. These include the clown Don Christian with comic magic, a bike act with the artists Julia and Joakim and some magic with Duo Biasini.

Cykling ghosts

The next show on the program was Mister Tik Tak’s Children's Show on the small stage in the playground. The show started with Tik Tak's song and then turned into a comic act with Madame Betty and Don Christian. In addition, you also saw magic with Mister Tik Tak and foot juggling with Silvana Biasini.

Madame Berty (Suzanne Berdino) and Don Christian

In Circus Landino you could see a new performance in the autumn holidays. After Joakim, in his clumsy manner, got the microphone ready, the performance began with trumpet playing by Don Christian. After that, Timm Delbosq entered the ring with his ponies, which was followed by Don Christian's bell concert.

Tim Delbosq with ponies

The next act was Julia and Joakim's fine juggling entrée. Then came the classic Landino act: magic with Biasini. The performance ended with Don Christian's boxing entrée and dromedaries presented by Timm Delbosq.

Julia and Joakim juggling. Click here to see more photos from Circusland

Circusland is open until Sunday 20 October.

Gugge at the Circus Museum

Ole Simonsen saw the performance at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, and writes:

This year, the Circus Museum presented a show with the comedian, acrobat and juggler Gugge. He is a versatile artist who can do just about anything without any of it being world class. In the old days, one would probably have called him a fair entertainer - without anything condemning in it. During the performance, Gugge made various gags while chatting with the audience. He also juggled. Both using the mouth with ping pong balls and using the hands with other balls of varying sizes.

Gugge. All photos from the performance at the Circus Museum: Ole Simonsen

In one trick he got help from a boy in the audience and the boy's mother, see photo. The audience felt well entertained during the approx. 30 minutes long performance.

Benny Schumann's mini-circus in the Glostrup Shopping Center

Ole Simonsen saw the show in Glostrup and writes:

The 74-year-old clown and multi-artist is the Danish circus world’s grand old man, which this year has brought him both the Danish Circus Award and the Truxa Prize. At the shows in Glostrup he proved that he captures the children just as eminently well as when he started his clown shows 40 years ago.

Some kids are a little scared of clowns. That's why Benny started putting on his clown makeup while telling about the role of the clown. And 10 minutes before the actual performance started he invited two children in the ring and showed them how to spin with plates.

The clown doing his makeup. All photos from Glostrup: Ole Simonsen

Benny opened the real show by welcoming and waving his hat with a doll in the top. Next, he first balanced a knife and later a shoe on his forehead. The last thing while he did the splits!

Benny Schumann can still do the splits.

Then came a little magic and a gag with an elephant - the Danish ban on circus elephants has not yet come into force. Well - Benny's elephant is hardly hit by the ban (see photo).

Benny and the elephant

Next came his beloved gag with the ventriloquist dolls Hunni and the bird.

Then time had come for show's two other performers: the clown Florin with his dog Cato, which is a huge tease. But Cato can also count - or figure it out!

Florin and Cato

Benny now returned with his famous plate juggling entrée which he first time presented in 1967 and which he continues to show with charm and elegance. This entrée ended with a few children from the audience being allowed to spin with plates.

Benny Schumann's plate juggling act

Florin now came back with Cato, who obviously wouldn't jump when Florin asked him to. But of course when he was allowed to decide himself!

The almost 40 minute long and well-attended performance ended with Benny's entrée in an inflatable costume. The performance can be seen until Saturday, October 19 with performances as 11 and 13.

Circus Arena in Kolding Storcenter

Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance at Kolding Storcenter on October 15 at 13 and writes (my translation):

Half an hour of circus. But why is there no seating built up so everyone can see? And this year, nobody ordered the big shopping trolleys taken away. So they stood around the ring - preventing the children from getting close.

But inside the ring a lot of thing happened. After Arena's signature tune Bettina Arli welcomed the audience. First act was liberty ponies presented by Laura Berdino. Then Miss Veronika came up with a nice foot juggling act. In the middle of the act there was a sequence of handstand tricks on bricks.

To the left: Laura Berdino. To the right Miss Veronika. All photos from Kolding: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

And then David Hammarberg followed in tissue. There is high up to the roof at Store Torv, so it was extra nice because the act was presented at such a great height. Red tissue, white, long pants and nude upper body - almost like a human fly. His elegant well-proportioned body, his enormous power surplus and the playful ease with which he almost dances in the tissue provide an experience that only the exceptional artist can provide. He shows what it is all about - what the Germans call "Spitzenleistung". And the word means more than top performance.

David Hammarberg

Then followed the clown entrée. Alexander Arli was using makeup - Martin Arli was wearing glasses and a beard. His human, open and happy attitude makes all children see him as the epitome of a nice grandfather. Martin and Alexander did the old entrée where it is all about banging balloons - garnished with jokes and misunderstandings.

Martin and Alexander Arli

And finally, Allan Sulc entered the ring. His bouncing is so difficult that is seems impossible. And he does it without dropping a single ball. Martin Arli said it was only a few times during the recent Arli season that he lost a ball. You don't really understand how he could manage. On the other hand, now he has more charm and is smiling to the audience. In the past, he seemed focused and concentrated. But now: “Did you see me? Wasn't it nice. So what do you say?"

The Master juggler Alan Sulc spent his summer with his wife Veronika at Circus Arli. Alan was among the 3 artists who were nominated for the award for the best act of the year. Click here to see more photos from the show.

And then it was over. When I got home to the place I live, my neighbour asked: is it really worth traveling all the way to Kolding to see half an hour with acts you've seen before. The answer is: YES! Circus friends will understand. But others probably don't understand it.

Circus Mascot in the Spinderiet in Valby

Ole Simonsen saw the performance in Spinderiet and writes:

For the second year in row, Jutland's Circus Mascot is visiting the Spinderiet shopping centre in Valby during the autumn holidays. The performances are shown on the square in the centre. The square is covered with a roof but unheated, and the gate openings at the end of the square area are fully open, even up to the 3rd floor height. The conditions are therefore not optimal, especially not if it is windy.

Despite the somewhat difficult conditions, Circus Mascot presented a nice approx. 30 minutes long performance, which attracted many children and adults.

The performance began with a little comic magic and pocket theft with the charming clown Gulio and his friend, the elegant ringmaster Daniel Deleruan.

Then followed Denmark's largest dog show with Marianne Deleuran's playful dogs. One of them had even learned to play the keyboard this year.

Marianne and the musical dog Pepsi. All photos from Circus Mascot are smartphone photos, taken by Ole Simonsen

From this summer's performance, Gulio then presented the entrée with the toothbrush and mouth. It was his daughter Juliya who hide inside the mouth.

Rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. Guess who got water in the head when spitting out!

Tetyana, who is married to Gulio and mother of Jyliya, then did a nice act with hula hoops.

Last act in the show also came from this summer's performance: Juliya and Gulio, who made rat soup. There were even 3 live rats - Julia's pets - in the entrée as well as a small dog. Like the entrée with the toothbrush a fine and brand new entrée. The performance can be seen until Sunday, October 20, when it will be shown at 11 and 13.

There are both live rats and a small dog in the gag with rat soup

13 October 2019

Obituary: Lotte Arli. Lotte Arli of Danish Circus Arli passed away on 13 October in the morning. She was 81 years old.

Lotte Arli. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

When Lotte in 1957 met a young and handsome painter’s apprentice Soren Arli Hansen both Lotte and Soren fall in love. They became a couple and Soren who a few years earlier have had his debut as an artist at the variety theatre Alhambra at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen persuaded Lotte to try her luck not at a painters wife but as an artist wife and assistant. They created a comical juggling act called Lott and Arli. Furthermore Soren performed as whiteface clown and Lotte did mind reading using the artist name Madame Zarina. With acts like those Soren and Lotte toured with circuses among those the Danish circuses Moreno and Arena.

As many artists Lotte and Soren Arli had a dream about establishing their own circus. Not the largest circus in the world but a small show with good atmosphere and close contact to the audience. In 1971 their dream came through when they opened Circus Arli in a tiny 1-pool big top they had made themselves. The staff consisted of Soren, Lotte and their son Martin. The first two seasons was spent in Jutland Mini Zoo in Haustrup. Since 1973 Circus Arli has toured Zealand with a two pole tent with a seating capacity of 220 people with family-friendly performances and performers from the Ali family assisted some foreign artists, which is always are of good quality. The small circus quickly gained success and has maintained the concept that it must be small, but good.

After Søren Arli passed away in 2011, Lotte Arli continued the operation of the small circus cooperation with her son and daughter-in-law Martin and Bettina Arli, who today are the owners of the circus.

As in many circus families Lotte took care of the ticket office. So she did in the beginning of season 2019 but during the season she handed over the task to Bettina Arli.

The funeral will take place from Grøndalskirken in Copenhagen on 22 October at 14.

12 October 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  -- THEATRE AKTEON proudly presents now at the beginning of the season a kids-and -family-show: LES EMOTIONS DU MAGICIEN / the magician's emotions/-- we  enjoy magic effects, songs, music, mimickry  and lots of humour, thus a pleasant mixture of hilarious items.

Artists:  WILFRIED RICHARD, LEA VANDERSCHELDEN, kostymer: CATHY WITT.

Everything is properly adapted to the level of the small fry, the magic stunts are simple but good enough, which means that the small ones are able to follow.

Wilfried Richard and Lea Vanderschelden. Photo by courtesy of Aktéon théâtre

WILFRIED RICHARD wears a dress that is similar to that of "MERLIN", and therefore looks like the magician whom the the children are expecting, LEA VANDERSCHELDEN is excellent in her role as the tiny girl, although it is clear that she is an adult female, this is quickly forgotten and - we see --- a little girl ! A great performance !

Lea Vanderschelden. Photo by courtesy of Aktéon théâtre

We are treated to lively actions, joy of performing and dynamics during the entire play - thus a good piece of quality time, an afternoon in October !!

Interaction and audience participation as always at similar shows, the kids get a first contact to THEATER, important as it is to struggle free from the everlasting electronic games !!

Venue: THEATRE AKTEON, 11 RUE DU GENERAL BLAISE, 75011,  PARIS.  Metro: Saint Ambroise, then a short walk, the streets addresses in the area are posted in each metro station.

Se mer: www.akteon.fr where it is also possible to order tickets for the show, which will run until 11 November.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

11 October 2019

Circuses etc. during the autumn holiday. All schools in Denmark are closed in week 42. During the school's autumn holidays you can see circuses and artists in some shopping centres etc.

Here is an overview of the events I know of:

In Jutland

Kolding Shopping Mall is visited by Circus Arena from Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October. Short performances at 11, 13 & 15. Free admission

Photos from last year’s performance in Kolding Shopping Mall

In Broen Shopping Centre in Esbjerg, Circus Big has performances from Monday 14 October to Saturday 19 October, every day at 13 and 16. Free admission

Circus Big at Broen in 2017. Photo: Find Stendevad

From 13 to 20 October, the Circus Museum in Rold is open from 11 to 16. Following that the museum will as usual closed during the winter season and not be open until 1 May 2020.

In Copenhagen and elsewhere at Zealand

At the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, you can from 14 to18 October every day at 11 see a  show with the comedian, acrobat and juggler Gugge.

Gugge

In Spinderiet Shopping Mall in Valby, Copenhagen, Circus Mascot has performances in the days 14 to 20 October. Performances Monday to Friday at 11, 13 & 15, Saturday and Sunday at 11 & 13. In the approx. 30 minutes long performances you will meet the clown Gulio and his family and Marianne Deleuran with her poodles. Free admission.

As can be seen at this photo from 2018 the was a large audience watching Marianne’s dog show

Gulio and the toothbrush

Juliya and her father is preparing rat soup

Glostrup Shopping Centre in Copenhagen is visited by Benny Schumann's Mini Circus from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 October. In addition to Benny Schumann, you will meet Florin and his dog Cato. Performances Monday - Friday every day at 13:00. Saturday 11 and 13. Free admission.

The ventriloquist’s doll Hunni, Benny Schumann, Florin and Cato. Photo Per "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen, edited by Benny Schumann. Click here to see a video teaser for the show.

The German clown and comedian Florin and his dog Cato are old acquaintances of the Danes, who first saw the act in Circus Dannebrog in 1990. The photo above is from a performance in Benny Schumann's Mini Circus 2014. Photo: Per "Mr. Sputnik" Krogh Petersen. - PS: the current Cato is not the same dog the one that appeared 29 years ago in Circus Dannebrog!

Circusland in Årslev by Slagelse. Circusland is open 12 to 20 October. During the day you can see different shows in the park. Among other things Mister Tik Tak's children's show and a festive circus parade through Circusland, which concludes with an adventurous circus performance at 13:30 Circusland is situated in Circus Arena's winter district in Årslev by Slagelse. Driving directions: If you come off the motorway, turn off at Exit 39. Exit 225 to Jyderup. In Sønderup, turn left towards Årslev. Then follow the signs.

All activities and shows are free when admission to Circusland is paid. It is possible to buy food and drink in the park's bistro. Circusland is open every day during the autumn holidays from 10 to16.

Among the performers during the autumn holidays are the artists Julia and Joakim from Denmark. The two siblings are children of the clown Bonbon and Mrs. Tiina

You will also meet the clown Don Christian from Austria. The Danes know him e.g. from three seasons with Circus Benneweis.

9 October 2019

Knuthenborg Safari Park will be the new home for Denmark's four circus elephants Ramboline, Lara, Djungla and Jenny.

As written on this website 4 September the Danish Government has bought the 4 circus elephants owned by Danish circuses.

The Government will transfer the ownership of the four Danish retired circus elephants free of charge to the applicant who achieves the highest number of points. The evaluation criteria are timely takeover of the animals and animal welfare. Only zoos and safari parks could apply. Deadline for application was Monday September 30th at 12.00 noon.

Knuthenborg Safari Park was the only one which offered to take over the elephants. Thus, the minister of Food Mogens Jensen has decided that the elephants go to Knuthenborg.

- Knuthenborg has made a really good offer, which will provide a fantastic framework for the good elephant life. I have said before that elephants do not belong in either a stable or a circus ring and I am happy because the four elephants soon will be able to frolic in mud or take a fresh walk in the grass, Mogens Jensen says.

According to Knuthenborg, the new elephant plant should give the guest in the park the feeling of standing and looking out over the African bush. The elephants will be allowed to move freely in an area of ​​about 110,000-150,000 square meter. They will be able to swim in water, take mud baths and sand baths, grass, eat branches and socialize with each other, as if on the savanna in Africa.

Construction work on the elephant facility will start as soon as possible, and according to the plan, the elephants can move into their new home in about eight months later. Meanwhile, the elephants will  be housed in Circus Arena’s winter quarter in Slagelse, where the Danish Animals Protection and Knuthenborg take care of them.

It is uncertain whether it is possible to put the lone elephant Ramboline together with the three Arena elephants. Inserting an elephant into an existing herd is not easy, not even in the wild.

While politicians and animal welfare people are happy with the solution achieved, some people with the knowledge of circus elephants believe that it would have been better for animal welfare to allow the elephants to spend the rest if their life in their usual surroundings.

7 October 2019

Obituary: Per Arne Wåhlberg. The author and dean of Swedish circus historians Per Arne Wåhlberg passed away on October 5. He was 87 old. He was one of the initiators of the establishment of the Swedish circus academy in 1973, and he became an honorary member of the academy in 2008.

Inspired by, among others, the Danish circus historian Anders Enevig, Per Arne Wåhlberg wrote several excellent books about circus and artists: Circus families in Gävle from 1978, Circus in Sweden from 1992 and Inte bara glitter ... meeting with circus artists from 2005. (Language of all books: Swedish).

5 October 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- the tradition of attending theatre plays is still alive and kicking, and this since the 17th century.

THEATRE LA BOUSSOLE proudly presents a pleasant show for the whole family, MAX ET LE GRAND MAGICIEN, the theme is that the great magician has - made himself disappear - and MAX wants him back!

The stage setting is thoroughly attended to by  TIMOTHY MEYERS who has done a remarkable piece of work, using modern technique - the background is made up of pictures that are projected on a film screen, and they relate to the magic effects.

This show is original, the actors CLEMENT GUSTAVE who alternates with CHRISTOPHE SELLIER perform acrobatic dancing, a hilarious mimic, an amazing costume quick change, about 10 magic effects, a lot of this using a festive interaction/ audience participation.
The audience was happy and applauded gladly one hour's excellent show!

Ideas and action by MAUD DELMAR.

Click here to see a video teaser for the show

THEATRE LA BOUSSOLE is located in an interesting and lively area, opposite GARE DU NORD, that is entirely refurbished, having brought generations of Scandinavians to Paris !!

Venue: THEATRE LA BOUSSOLE, 29 rue de DUNKERQUE, 75010 Paris. Metro: GARE DU NORD.

See more: www.theatrelaboussole.com where it is also possible to order tickets for the show, which will run until 19 January 2020.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

3 October 2019

Proposal for new Danish Animal Welfare Act with ban against circus elephants. The former Food Minister's proposal for an Animal Welfare Act wasn’t passed by the Parliament before a general election in June.

The new Food Minister Mogens Jensen will before the end of November this year present a revised proposal to the Danish Parliament. The forthcoming act will, among other things, authorize the Minister to prohibit the appearance of elephants, sea lions and zebras in circus. Such ban will probably enter into forth before the beginning of the circus season 2020.

As written on this website 4 September the Danish Government has subject to certain conditions bought the 4 circus elephants owned by Danish circuses.

The Government will transfer the ownership of the four Danish retired circus elephants free of charge to the applicant who achieves the highest number of points. The evaluation criteria are timely takeover of the animals and animal welfare. Only zoos and safari parks can apply. Deadline for application was Monday September 30th at 12.00 noon.

Knuthenborg Safari Park has made a bid for the elephants. The Ministry of Food does not want to state whether other bids have been received.

- First of all, we offer to take over the elephants, because we want to ensure them good animal welfare. If they go abroad, we do not know how welfare will be. In addition, we have the space and opportunities to create a unique elephant facility, Rasmus Nielsen, chief zoologist at Knuthenborg Safari Park, says.

Knuthenborg Safari Park estimates that the operation of the facility will cost two million DKK a year and that at least three keepers should be hired to take care of the elephants Ramboline, Lara, Djungla and Jenny.

27 September 2019

Trolle Rhodin named the Centre of the Year. Each year, the Academy of Scania, Sweden, appoints a distinguished person as the "Centre of the Year". The requirement for the recipient is that he or she "must have given weight and energy to the concept "Culture & Humor in Scania".

This year, the award goes to the circus director Trolle Rhodin, also called Trolle III. It is him who today runs the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack. Trolle III will receive the award on October 5 at Stiftsgaarden Åkersberg in Höör.

- The circus is part of the Scania cultural history, Martin Martinsson, director of the Scania Academy says. That is why Trolle Rhodin and Circus Brazil Jack are given the award as the Center of the Year.

The visible expression of the award is this challenge cup. Former recipients include actress Eva Rydberg and film director Jan Troell

Circus Brazil Jack has been "all human" since the 2018 season, i.e. without animals. Not because they oppose animals in the circus, but because they found that the audience's interest in animal act was declining. The decision was criticized by many circus friends, but has so far been clever business wise: after several seasons with falling number of visitors the number increased last year and once more this year.

26 September 2019

German youth circus visiting Odense. Sunday October 6 at 16.00 Cirkus Flik-Flak will be visited by the German youth circus "Charivari" from Lübeck with their performance "PAGES - a circus library". 20 young artists invite you into a world of books, they tell stories about the universe, about spiders, about Pippi Longstocking, about Mary Poppins and about the 1001 night adventure. 10 young musicians accompany the poetic and fascinating circus tracks. All performers are between 13-18 years.

The performance is a poetic and temperamental contemporary circus performance.

Circus Charivari emphasizes solidarity and feels like a big family - the feeling they want to share with their audience. On their tour, they would like to meet people from all cultural backgrounds, because, as they say, circus is a language that can be understood by everyone and bridges between people.

From the performance

The performance is organized in collaboration with circus Flik-Flak and ALL are warmly welcomed. Tickets are FREE but must be booked at www.cirkusflikflak.dk

The address is Circus Flik-Flak, Herluf Trolles Vej 138, Odense SØ

25 September 2019

Cirque du Soleil to Denmark with Corteo. In the spring, the Canadian Cirque du Soliel will visit Copenhagen and Herning with the performance Corteo. They play in the Royal Arena in Copenhagen from April 23 to 26 and in Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning from April 29 to May 3. Ticket prices range from 350 DKK to 695 DKK.

Corteo premiered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on April 21, 2005. The show's final performance under the big top took place in Quito, Ecuador on 13 December 2015. On November 20, 2017, Cirque du Soleil announced that the show would once again set out on tour, this time in the arena format. The re-staged show premiered March 2, 2018 in New Orleans.

23 September 2019

Circus Mascot ended the season September 22. They have visited 144 cities since the premiere on March 27, had 212 performances and a total audience of 41,798. That corresponds to an occupancy rate of a little less 75. They write: “Thank you to our fantastic team for a great season and thank you to all of you who bought a ticket for this year's show - It has been an absolute pleasure to 'GET CRAZY' with you ".

Circus Mascot’s team 2019

However, the end of the season does not mean that the Deleuran family will be holidaying for the next 6 months, as their small circus also is active with various winter circus events. In the autumn holidays, they can be found in the center square in the Spinderiet shopping center in Valby with short performances for the center's customers.

19 September 2019

Wallmans Carnival - the hottest show in town. Since 2004 Wallmans have every year from late August to the middle of June presented dinner shows in the Copenhagen Circus Building with singers, dancers and a few circus artists. Usually there are performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Every year Wallmans present a brand new show.

The new Wallmans show is called Carnival. There was gala premiere on Wednesday, September 18, but since August 23, the show has been shown at a number of dress rehearsals.

Three singers stand on the porch roof over the entrance and welcome the guests

This year the show is presented as a dinner party and not as a dinner show. It is not just a new name but indicate that the guests are not just spectators. At Wallmans you sit in the midst of the whole experience. Before you even have time to look around, you’ll be part of the show. For example, a magician comes to the tables and present impressive close up magic with playing cards.

The first part of the show is with scenery from the sideshows which were part of The Greatest Show on Earth (Barnum & Bailey) as well with a grand piano that disappears under the circus dome with a singer on the cover. Press photo from Wallmans. Photographer John Resborn

The overall person in the show is the English comedian Abigail Collins. She is a talking waterfall and full of fun. She has a personality that fills the entire room, and as the character ‘Peggy Sued’ she makes the audiences laugh until their ribs ach. Sometimes with the help of spectators whom she chooses with talent from those who enjoy being part of the shows. A much-loved highlight at Wallmans is the evening’s celebration number, when they cast the spotlight on guests who are celebrating something special. As the crazy, yet lovable character Peggy Sued, Abigail really goes for it and, accompanied by her witty saxophonists, overwhelming honoured guests with charm, champagne and unbridled humour.

Abigail Collins makes her entry by climbing out of a cannon. Press photo from Wallmans. Photographer John Resborn

One of the persons she honoured at the gala premiere was Benny Schumann. Last year, Wallmans appointed him a guest of honour at Wallmans, and he got his very own private gold chair with his name on. It was of course made available to him at the gala premiere. Benny Schumann has recently received two prestigious awards: The Danish Circus Award (Abigail mentioned this in her tribute) and Truxa's Memorial Prize.

Benny Schumann was honoured. Smartphone photo, shot by his wife Marianne Schumann

Benny Schumann talks with Wallmans CEO Dorthe Fryd Ekelin. Smartphone photo, shot by Ole Simonsen

As always, there are talented singers and dancers. As something new, several of them play this year either guitar or saxophone, both on the main stage and when performing on the many other stages in the hall.

All in all, you can say that the Wallmans show has been given a facelift. And note that it is an extremely successful facelift!

This year's circus artists, in addition to Abigail Collins, are the South African magician, musician & guitarist Daniel Rosenfeldt. He has been living in Denmark for several years, where he has participated in one of Rune Klan's shows, just as he last year was part of the Danish version of Got Talent!

In addition to making close up at the tables, he shows tricks on stage in the middle of the circus ring just as there is a feature where he plays guitar with "fingerstyle" with the guitar lying on his knees.

In addition, the audience at Wallmans meets the American-Canadian Duo Pile ou Face. First in an act in Cyr Wheel and then in an act in sway poles “dressed” as lampposts. A type of act which I don't remember seeing since the legendary Fattini's famous drunken -man entrée with the lamppost, which could be seen in the Circus Building at Circus Schumann in 1966 and at Circus Benneweis in 1974. Fattini's entrée was a comic entrée in a very high sway pole. The poles used by Duo Pole ou Face (Shannon Mcguire and Phillip Renaud) are hardly as tall and their entrée is not a comic entrée. However, at one point they are two in the pole, and later each of them they sway in his/hers own pole. No doubt the audience was impressed with the spectacular act. Both the act in pole and the ac in the wheel elegantly slipped into the performance and help to making it a whole and not just individual solo presentations.

Duo Pile ou Face in Cyr Wheel. Press photo from Wallmans. Photographer John Resborn

Duo Pile ou Face in sway pole. Press photo from Wallmans. Photographer John Resborn

As it is a dinner party, the food also deserves to be mentioned. It is served during breaks in the show and it is both fascinating and impressive to see how elegant and fast it is served to the up to 1,000 guests in the hall. The dinner consists of 4 delicious courses: first soup of the season. Next tasty and beautifully prepared platters with Italian antipasti. As main course where there are several choices. The guests as the premiere were offered delicious beef tenderloin in slices with truffle mayonnaise, served with Hasselback potatoes and red wine sauce.  And for the dessert: Dark chocolate mousse topped with panna cotta. Everything was incredibly delicious. And the portions were large enough to make everyone satisfied.

The evening ended with the singers and dancers in a thrilling Quenn potpourri ending with We will rock you! and We are the Champions. The singers and dancers could for good reason have renamed the first song to We have rocked you. And they were together with the other performers champions in a wonderful and festive show.

Running time approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

The language in the show is English making it interesting also for foreigners visiting Copenhagen.

Bicyle Race was also part of the Quenn-potpourri. While an artist cycled over the heads of the audience. Smartphone photo, shot by Ole Simonsen

13 September 2019

Katja Schumann turns 70. On Monday, September 16, Katja Schumann turns 70. Katja is daughter of Max and Vivi Schumann. Katja made her first appearance in the ring in Circus Schumann in the Circus Building in Copenhagen at age 10, as a ballerina on horseback. In the following years, she was seen with other members of the Schumann family riding high school and presenting liberty horses. In one season Katja also presented parrots and in another season trained pigs. She and other members of the Schumann family spent the winter season in London with Bertram Mills Circus at the Olympia of Kensington

When Circus Schumann stopped in the Circus Building after the 1969 season, Katja found engagements with some of Europe's leading circuses. She participated in the first International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in 1974, where she won La Dame du Cirque award, given to the best female performer of the Festival. In 1976, she won a Gold Medal at the Circus World Championships in London

In 1977, Max Schumann revived Cirkus Schumann supported by his children Philip and Katja, touring under a brand-new big top. In 1981 Katja appeared during the winter season, at the Big Apple Circus in New York with her high school act, and when Circus M Schumann closed after season 1982 she decided to settle in USA. She became a member of the Big Apple Circus's resident company and married its Director, Paul Binder. From 1983 on, she created a long list of original liberty  and high-school acts, sometimes with the help of her father, Max (who rejoined her in 1992 and remained with the Big Apple Circus until 2003), or of Katherine and Max, her and Paul's children. She also presented her version of the equestrian classic, The Courier.

Katja and Paul separated in 2004, at which time Katja went to work with Circus Flora in St. Louis, Missouri, before returning to Denmark in 2008, where she presented liberty horses in Circus Dannebrog.

Then for a few years she was associated with Luffe Bøgh's No Name Circus project in Solbjerg north of Hadsund. In 2012 and 2013, Katja toured in the summer season with the Circus Mascot.

Katja Schumann in Circus Mascot 2012. Photo: Ole Simonsen

At one point disagreement arose between Luffe Bøgh and the No Name institution, and thus the No Name Circus stopped. However, sweet music had emerged between Katja and Luffe Bøgh and today they are a couple. They had a dream of creating an internationally recognized place where ideas could be translated into the benefit of the circus as a culture and where they could strengthen the interaction between animals and people. A place where the circus develops. Where you can sense the presence of history. Where the past is to form the basis for innovation and for shows where the audience can experience horses in the circus ring. And experience of the circus in a historical and modern light.

It might sound like an unrealistic dream. But in 2015 Katja Schumann bought a 21,000 square meter large abandoned agricultural property on Vrenstedvej outside the seaside resort Løkken. At that time the property looked like it was waiting for a bulldozer. But since then Katja and Luffe Bøgh have struggled to fix the dilapidated property and created an impressive circus farm focusing on animals. There is also an arena with a circus ring and an environment that attracts many visitors every summer. And thus the dream has come true.

Katja Schumann 2018. Photo: Lise Kokholm

Katja Schumann at a performance in 2018 at her circus farm. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Katja and Luffe spend today most of their lives at their beloved Circus Farm. Although there is an apartment on the farm, Katja still lives in her parents' caravans from 1977 – that’s what she prefer. However, Katja is also in the US every year to visit her and Paul Binder's two children Katherine and Max and the grandchildren Leo and Sonya.

13 September 2019

Truxa's Memorial Prize to Benny Schumann and Michael Frederiksen.

Every year, performing artists from Denmark and Sweden are honored with a memorial prize founded by the late Danish magician and illusionist Truxa. Usually it is handed out on Truxa's birthday on November 7th. But this year, the Danish Artist Association, which administers the prize, chose to hand over the award in connection with a Truxa matinée at the Circus Museum at Hvidovre, Copenhagen, on September 13.

Two prizes were awarded: one, which was accompanied by an amount of DKK 20,000, went to the Danish circus- and artist-worlds grand old man Benny Schumann, who a month ago also received the Danish Circus Award.

The second prize of DKK 10,000 went to magician Michael Frederiksen, who in connection with the matinée re-created some of Truxa's act while Museum Curator Mikkel Knudsen told about Truxa's exciting life on and off-stage.

Truxa (Erik Bang, 1919-1996) first appeared as magician in 1939 and became especially known for his mind-reading act which he performed with his wife and partner, Gulli, but also blind-folded car journeys and predictions of newspaper headlines caught the eye. He appeared on variety theatres throughout the Nordic region, allowed ladies to roam freely in the air and was a lifelong Danish major international magician with more than 100 television shows.

Michael Normann Frederiksen (born 1973) is a professional magician, lecturer and entertainer from Denmark. Since 1997 he has performed thousands of shows in Denmark and abroad. In 2006 and 2007 he was awarded 1st place in the close-up magic contest in the Magic Circle of Denmark. In 2008 he won 3rd place at the Nordic Championship of Close-up Magic in Oslo, Norway. His fifteen instructional DVDs have sold 10.000 copies in the Nordic countries. His 352-page book in English, Listen to Us! is about showbiz and can be ordered from Amazon. Today Michael resides in Copenhagen with his family.

10 September 2019

Circus Arena on Greenland. From September 3 to 8, Circus Arena visited a number of cities on Greenland. Among the performers were Don Christian, Bonbon and his children, Bettina and Martin Arli, Duo Costache, Alan Sulc & Veronika, Bubber and Julie Berthelsen. Benny Berdino was of course also with his circus. Martin Arli has sent me the photos below from the performances in Greenland.

The Greenlanders saw Don Christian with the well-known boxing entrée

Julia and Joakim are daughter / son of the clown Bonbon and his wife Tiina

Ringmasters were Bubber and singer Julie Berthelsen who is daughter of a Greenlandic mother and a Danish father.

8 September 2019

Many Danes, Swedes and Norwegians have visited the German Circus Charles Knie. Both when it was owned by Charles Knie and after Sascha Melnjak took over the circus. Dutch circus friend and author Henk van den Berg has just published a book about Circus Charles Knie.  Over 124 pages in full colour. 550 pictures and posters. Pictures from show, build up, transport and wagons. Language English. Price including postage within EU 36 Euro. Send a mail to j.berg49@gmail.com if you want to purchase the book.

6 September 2019

The largest circus exchange fair in Europe takes place in Oss in Holland on 6 October. There will be more than 30 stand holders from different countries offering cicus programs, circus books, circus models, DVD’s and circus posters. Among the stand holders are the Dutch circus friend, collector and author of several circus books Henk van den Berg, who also has a number of Scandinavian programs and posters for sale.

4 September 2019

The Danish Government buys circus elephants. In a press release dated August 31, the Ministry of Environment and Food writes (my translation):

The Minister of Food Mogens Jensen has agreed with Circus Arena and Circus Trapez on the purchase of four retired circus elephants. The price is a total of 11 million DKK (1,475,000 Euro). That's another million DKK per elephant in compensation for housing expenses compared to the Government’s first offer of 7 million DKK.

- We have come up with a really sensible solution ensuring that the elephants can get better living conditions. Wild animals do not belong to either a stable or a circus ring, and when the Danish Parliament opens, I will propose a new animal welfare law, so that we finally get a ban against wild animals in the Danish circuses, Mogens Jensen says.

- A solution has been quickly found, and this has been possible due to good cooperation both with the owners of the elephants, with the Animal Protection Denmark and with the other parties in the Danish Parliament. I am grateful for this the Minister says.

All the parties in the Danish Parliament support the agreement.

The elephants remain for the time being where they are, while the Ministry of the Environment and Food finds a good future owner of the elephants. As part of the solution, Animal Protection Denmark will help ensuring the welfare of the animals during this period.

In Animal Protection Denmark we are happy to be able to help get the agreement in place and at the same time ensure the welfare of Ramboline, Lara, Djunga and Jenny during the transitional period until their retirement facility is ready to receive them, says Britta Riis, CEO of Animal Protection Denmark.

The Ministry of Environment and Food will now initiate an application process where all interested parties can apply to take over the elephants from the Government free of charge. Only zoos and safari parks can apply, as you need a permission to acquire elephants. Such permission is not given to individuals. Applications will be evaluated and the elephants will be handed over to the buyer who can offer the highest level of animal welfare for the elephants.

There will be no more elephants in Danish circuses. Many circus enthusiasts have been delighted to see the magnificent animals. But large majorities in the Danish Parliament and in the part of the population who never is visiting a circus have wanted a ban. They do not believe in circus professionals' statements that elephants have good conditions in a circus.

Animal Protection Denmark welcomes the agreement and says that they will contribute to the care and activation of the elephants and the establishment of a new outdoor area at Cirkus Arena’s winter quarter. It will give the 3 elephants from Circus Arena access to the outdoors until elephant facilities at the future owner are completed. The Trapez elephant Ramboline has today access to an outdoor area.

As mentioned, The Danish Ministry of Environment and Food wishes to enter a contract on the transfer of ownership of the four Danish retired circus elephants. The transfer of ownership will happen in accordance with the planned ban on elephants in circuses in Denmark. The ownership of the four Danish retired circus elephants will be transferred free of charge to the applicant who achieves the highest number of points. The evaluation criteria are timely takeover of the animals and animal welfare. All interested parties are invited to apply. Deadline for application: Monday September 30th at 12.00 noon.

It is a minimum requirement that the applicant is able to take over ownership of all four elephants in 2019. The applicant may, if necessary, house the elephants under temporary conditions, in case the final elephant facilities are not ready in 2019.

The period before the future owner can have elephant facilities ready is expected to be 4 to 8 months. The Animal Protection Denmark and Knuthenborg Safari Park is working to establish a new and modern elephant facility as part of Knuthenborg Safari Park where the circus elephants can spend their retirement under the best conditions. Animal Protection Denmark’s favorite to take over the elephants is thus Knuthenborg Safari Park. As far as is known, no other Danish zoo or safari parks are interested in the elephants. But of course, Knuthenborg will not start the construction of elephant facilities until they are sure that they will get the elephants.

The price per elephant ended up being 2.75 million DKK of which Cirkus Arena receives 8.25 million DKK. Benny's Berdino's initial request was 38.9 million DKK as he wanted compensation for the cost of establishing his elephant facilities. The request was later reduced to 20 million DKK. But as can be seen he got a much lower amount. Food Minister Mogens Jensen has stated that the 2.75 million DKK per elephant was the maximum the Government could give without conflicting with the state aid rules. The Government cannot discriminate against other circuses by providing support for specific circuses.

As more and more countries ban elephants from the circus, Circus Arena and Circus Trapez could hardly have achieved a better price from other purchasers as the bans obviously limit demand for circus elephants.

However, it is possible that someone believe that the price is so high that it in reality is some form of state aid to Arena and Trapez.

Some people with knowledge of circus elephants believe that the best solution for the elephants would have been if they had been allowed to spend the rest of their life in their habitual surroundings, and that the solution chosen only is the second best for the elephants. But such kinds of considerations have no support from Animal Protection Denmark and the politicians.

A sight like this you will no longer be able to see in a Danish circus. Photo from Circus Arena 2018, the last season they had elephants on tour. Arena took over the elephants from a Spanish circus in 2007. The first seasons they were rented out to other circuses, e.g. Swedish Circus Maximum. But after Arena's co-operation with the Casselly family stopped at the end of season 2010, Arena has every year had their elephants with them on tour in Denmark. However, the elephant act was never quite on par with the Casselly family’s act. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The 4 mentioned elephants are all African elephants. The biggest threat to these magnificent animals is not the circus, but African poachers. However, in a single African country, Botswana, the elephant population is so large today that it harms many farms where farmers are struggling to keep animals away from their fields. Over 135,000 elephants roam freely in Botswana's parks and nature areas. Due to this the Botswana government is considering reduction in the form of wildlife care. Botswana has even considered lifting the ban on elephant hunting. - Neighboring Zimbabwe has sold almost 100 elephants to China and Dubai in the past six years.

29 August 2019

As always, there were some special gags in Circus Baldoni's last performance. Among other things circus owner René Baldoni as target in the knife throwing act and Baldoni's former clown Danilo as Benny from the Olsen Gang. (The Olsen Gang (German: Die Olsenbande) is a Danish comedy film series about the eponymous fictional criminal gang.) Photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more photos from the show on August 28 in Tureby, where Circus Baldoni has winter quarters.

23 August 2019

Circus Arena 2020. Circus Arena has just ended the 2019 season, but they have already started the presale for the 2020 season, where they can celebrate their 65th anniversary.

Circus Arena writes (my translation):

Circus Arena's 65th anniversary in 2020 is set to start with Bubber at the forefront and a selection of the world's best artists in Circus Arena's new show 'Circus according to Bubber 2'.

The anniversary program is composed of extreme world-class acts and some in a league never before seen in Denmark!

Together with Bubber you will meet the motocross group FMX Denmark, which makes the wildest ramp stunts across the ring and the tight wire dancers Danguir who impress their

7-man pyramid. It has never before been seen in Denmark.

Also look forward to world-class trapeze art, jumping acrobats, ballet girls and the cutest dogs.

A fun and life-affirming experience awaits the entire family in Circus Arena in 2020.

FMX Denmark call itself Denmark's only professional FMX (Freestyle Motocross) show. The troupe was founded in 2014 by Allan Porsing with the assistance of his good friend Kevin Rahbek, and they have performed at various events in Denmark and Germany. The have never before toured with a circus. Click here to read more about the troupe and its history.

The tight wire troupe Danguir is led by Mustafa Danguir from Morocco. They have toured with the now closed American circus Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

Bubber aka Niels Christian Meyer is a well-known Danish TV-host. He was ringmaster in Circus Arena from 1990 to 1998 and has been back as ringmaster in 2019 and will have the same position in 2020.

Circus Arena has season opening in Copenhagen on Wednesday 25 March 2020. They will stay in Copenhagen until 13 April. Then, as usual, the tour goes to Aarhus and a number of other Jutland cities before arriving in Funen in June and then returning to Zealand until the end of the season in August.

23 August 2010

Aarhus Festival’s International Night Cabaret. The Night Cabaret is one of the festival's highlights and this year again Aarhus Festival produces the entire show itself. There is a performance every night at 9 pm from 31 August to 7 September with the opportunity to enjoy a three course gala dinner before the performance. Dinner guests can keep same seats throughout the evening.

Aarhus Festival’s International Night Cabaret with the title ‘Magic Moments’ includes some of the best dancers, comedians and artists from all over the world.

Arriving at the foyer of Hermans in Tivoli Friheden you are immediately greeted by live music, entertaining acts and hosts serving refreshments to put you in the right mood for a fantastic evening. After enjoying an optional three course meal you may sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy a magical show where you will meet…

Swedish magician and comedian Michael Halvarson. A real scoop for this year’s Night Cabaret. He has performed with the popular Cirque du Soleil and appeared on the Broadway show ‘The Illusionist’, where he takes the art of pickpocketing to new levels.

Master of the spinning tops, German artists Jochen Snell, amazes with his ability to balance spinning tops on his hands, feet, head and even up the blade of a samurai sword.

Russia is also represented by Lina Lii. Watch as she creates magical stories live on stage using only sand.

On top of that you can look forward to Danish dancers Foxy Ladies and Marc Thierry’s Trio. And loads more!

Photo from the Night Cabaret 2018. Photographer: Martin Dam Kristensen

22 August 2019

Circus Arena to Greenland. Circus Arena ended the tented season on August 20. But for the 36th time Benny Berdino and his circus visit Greenland after the tented season with a performance that unites children and adults in the magic of circus with the combination of music, adventure and world-class artistry.

However, it is not the summer performance that is on tour, but a special performance produced for Greenlandic arenas etc. Circus Arena writes (my translation):

”In the performance you will see equilibristic strong human bodies, aerial artists who can turn the whole world upside down, a juggler who can grab everything between heaven and earth and even an almost real elephant. The Bonbon clowns are pervasive figures in the performance with lots of crazy ideas which children of all ages will enjoy. Bubber, who is known from Danish TV, and the singer Julie Berthelsen lead the audience through the performance in both Greenlandic and Danish.”

Julie Berthelsen is a popular Danish singer. Her father is Danish and her mother from Greenland. They divorced and Julie spend most of her childhood on Greenland.

The juggler is Alan Sulc, who was one of the 3 nominees for this year's award for the best act. He has during the summer season toured with. From Circus Arli also Bettina and Martin Arli are with Arena in Greenland.

The Master juggler Alan Sulc is among the artists in Greenland. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Circus Arena visits:

September 3 - Aasiaat at 6.30 pm in the sports centre (Julie Berthelsen does not attend this day)

September 4 - Ilulissat at 6.30pm in the sports centre

September 5 - Maniitsoq at 6.30pm in the sports centre

September 6 - Sisimiut at 6.30pm in the sports centre

September 8 - Nuuk at 1 pm and 4 pm 16.00 in Inussivik

Usually, Arena's visit to Greenland is not until the beginning of October. But this year, it is a month earlier.

Greenland is an autonomous country of the Kingdom of Denmark. And Mr. President – Greenland is not for sale! But maybe you will consider selling part of USA? The might be someone interested in buying Manhattan!

22 August 2019

Circus Agora 2019. Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo saw the performance in the Norwegian circus in Gol and writes (my translation):

Performance at 4 pm, duration 2 hours with 20 min break. Pony riding for the audience + kiosk.

Opening Francesco, Anniversary Video, Martyn Chabry – Musical Quick Change, Mr. Gagiu – aerial straps, Edi Laforte - Dogs, Francesco reprise, Max Weldy - Comic Trampoline, Inverval, Andrea Quaiser with 2 ponies, Erika Hågensen – vertical robe, Francesco reprise, Marius Gagiu - vertical bar, circus owner Jan Ketil with his cup act on slack wire, Francesco reprise, Rafael de Carlo - juggler, Clown Xhiliphone, final.

Circus Agora started with a premiere at Hamar in 1989 and ran tented seasons in three different tents until 2009. Some bankruptcies along the way, most recently in 2008 and 09. After that Jan Ketil worked with a few hired artists for the Cultural Schoolbag in Norway. The Cultural Schoolbag is a national program designed to ensure that all school pupils in Norway experience professional art and culture of all kinds.

Circus Agora returned as a classic tent circus but in smaller format in 2017. A co-operation with German Andreas Quaiser who came with a tent, box office, two ponies, kiosk and toilet wagon.

This year Jan Ketil has invested in a brand new 24 meter tent. A wise choice, runs without an orchestra but has sound systems that follow the performance and good lighting. Due to the 30th anniversary, the program is costly.

Top artists like the clown Francesco from France, seen earlier at the largest circus in Scandinavia.

Francesco. All photos: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo

Rafael De Carlos the world famous juggler from Cuba with his wife Martyn Chabry. daughter of equally famous clown from Belgium.

To the left: Rafael de Carlos. To the right Martyn Chabri

Edi Laforte and Max Weldy also good high-level artists in their disciplines.

Edi Laforte and his dogs

Norwegian Erika Hågensen from Norway making her début. A nice act in vertical rope presented with charm. There are many such acts especially the contemporary circus world. I have seen many of these artists and Erika’s act is one of the strongest I've seen.

Erika Hågensen

An accident in Molde where the artist in the vertical bar fell down with equipment and couldn’t work for a period. This act did not appear on Gol. The same goes for Andreas Quaiser's ponies who did not work because of some disease.

Jan Ketil has managed to build himself up to be a very good ringmaster and he “sells” the show well to the audience. Especially when he tell his story as an artist and ends with the well-executed cup balance act. Despite many injuries during a long artist career a slack wire artist, car accident etc...

Jan Ketil

All in all, I would call it an artistically strong anniversary program and good atmosphere. About 130 visitors in Gol were impressed and ended giving standing ovations.

I will be exciting to follow Agora in the future.

20 August 2019

Ukrainian circus artist sues Cirkus Arena. Tetiana “Tanya” Koreneva fell 26 feet and broke her neck in four places when her cable broke last August during a performance in the Circus Arena. She now claims compensation, her lawyer tells Radio24syv.

"We are suing Cirkus Arena because they have a co-responsibility for Tetiana's injury when she got her on-the-job injury last year," attorney Søren Kroer of Kroer / Fink lawyers says. The lawfirm specializes in actions for damages cases where they only represent the injured party.

According to lawyer Søren Kroer, Tetiana Korenieva has been given legal aid. Leal aid  means that the Treasury pays court fees and fees to Tetiana's lawyer. If she lose the case, the Treasury will also pay the costs of Circus Arena’s lawyer.

The lawyer cannot yet put a figure on how much compensation the circus artist is looking for.

Circus Arena has previously declined to be responsible for the accident, as artists themselves are responsible for the maintenance and assembly of their equipment. Tetiana was not employed by Circus Arena, but by Circus Theater Bingo in Ukraine, from whom Circus Arena had booked the troupe in which Tetiana performed.

She worked in tissue, also called silks. Tissue acts are usually not dangerous. But if the wire in which the tissues hang is broken, it can as here go terribly wrong.

It may take several years before the courts decide on the case. When Circus Arena receives the subpoena, their lawyer gets a while to make a defense. Once Tetiana's lawyer has seen it, he makes a so-called reply. When Arena's lawyer gets it, he makes a so-called rejoinder. And there may be further exchange of letters before the courts find a time for hearing.

Tetiana at the season opening in Copenhagen in March 2018. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

15 August 2019

Danish Circus Krone. For the first time in many years, the Thierry family's small Circus Krone has not had their usual summer tour. They have in 2019 only been active in February when they had performances in the Music Hall in Aarhus as well as recently for 5 days in connection with The Randers Festival.

Circus Krone in Randers. Smartphone photo shot by Jørgen Lorenzen

Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance at Randers Festival on August 14 and writes (my translation)

Circus Krone is back! At least for one week during the Randers Festival.

There were two performances on the 14th in the morning. Most of the audience was children who participated with heart and soul. Circus Krone is in the middle of a generation change. Irene Thierry presented the performers. Everything looked as in the old days. But it was not so: you could feel that Frank Thierry slowly is treading new tracks. His subtle but contagious humor and his linguistic skills are impressive and greatly contributing in making Krone Denmark's coziest circus. This slogan is one of two. For Circus Krone is also: Circus with heart.

E.g. Frank notes that the band has not met on time. So you play with the aid telepathy. Thus he sets himself to the piano and lets the thoughts and notes flow freely. And quite rightly, it is Circus Krone’s signature tune that comes to him from the atmosphere.

Irene Thierry and her two assistants Kate and Zitha, are dressed in fancy dresses with lots of sequins - a mix of a buffoon and a white-faced clown. The clown Don Carlos has optimal working conditions when he delights the children and gets them divided into two groups where one shouts: no and the other: yes. His problem is that he doesn't dare get up on a unicycle, but eventually the kids agree to shout no – don’t dare. But precisely this no makes the clown do just the opposite: he enters the bike and the children cheer for joy. So he wheels off - on his one-wheeled vehicle, which he calls a discount bike because one wheel is cut!

But most attention is awakened by the dog whisper Leo Beljakov. He has two entrées. First with a solo dog, and then with 5 dogs of different breeds. You will inevitably think of pigeon trainer Andrejs Fjodorov, who recently received this year's Danish circus award for the best act of the year. Both are capable to interact with the animals so that unexpected situations arise - and the audience has to ask the question: how can this be possible? How to get a dog to balance on a wire, to run backwards, to stand on the hind paws and on the front paws in Leo’s hand and to climb around him as if he were a prop or a stand. But he is not, and his dressage goes beyond the art of possible. And a circus performance must have a moment when the audience thinks almost unanimously: that’s impossible; one cannot do that. But yes, we are in the circus, and here everything is possible.

And Circus Krone keeps to the forms and traditions. Grandpa's pole is still tied to one of other poles. And you probably don't end up attending a Krone performance unless you get the story of that pole.

One must sincerely hope that Circus Krone will be back on the road. For Krone is an indispensable part of the Danish circus world.

Irene Thierry with her son Frank who last year took over ownership from his mother. Smartphone photo, taken by Jørgen Lorenzen

14 August 2019

The Kolev Sisters. This year's Talent Prize from the Danish Circus Award was given to the two Italian sisters Nicole and Michelle Kolev for their impressive hand-to-hand act. They are daughters of Gilda Vulcanelli and Miltcho Kolev. The latter is one of the flyers from The Flying Wulber, who from 2016 to 2018 toured with the large German Circus Charles Knie. The same was the case for the Messoudi Brothers. It was by training with them Nicole and Michelle created their amazing act. It was only shown a few times in Circus Charles Knie. But in December 2018, the girls had great success with their act in Cirque de Noel Christiane Bouglione in Paris. From February 15 to March 9 this year they performed in the prestigious American Circus Sarasota. One reviewer wrote that they were the outstanding hit of the whole show. The season with the Circus Arena has been their first full season as a solo artist. Their amazing talent and charm will undoubtedly make them a sought-after act in the circus world.

The Danish talent prize was their first award ever. But it will undoubtedly not be the last!

The Kolev Sisters presented their act at the awards ceremony for the Danish Circus Award on August 8. Photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

13 August 2019

Circus Dannebrog's grandstand sold to Germany. A few years ago, Circus Benneweis sold their tent and grandstand to a German circus. Now also Circus Dannebrog's grandstand has landed in Germany, where it was bought by Circus Voyage. They even bought both the grandstand used by Circus Dannebrog in their last season (2016) and an older grandstand. – Circus Benneweis has not toured since 2015 and Circus Dannebrog stopped touring after a bankruptcy in 2016.

12 August 2019

Circus Rhodin 2019. Jörgen Börsch has visited the Swedish circus and writes (my translation):

Circus Rhodin tours Sweden as the country's third and smallest circus, currently in the Gothenburg area. Under Diana Rhodin's management, the family name is upheld under the motto: Circus as at Grandpa's time which probably doesn't relate to Circus Brazil Jack's style. (Editor’s comments: Brazil Jack, which for the time being is the largest circus in Sweden, is owned by Diana Rhodin’s nephew Trolle Rhodin III. In 2018 and 2018 Brazil Jack have been an all-human circus)

Does the tent seem familiar for Danes? So is it - Diana Rhodin bought one of Circus Arli's old tents a few years ago. Photo: Jörgen Börsch

Diana opens the performance with liberty ponies. Jindra Faltyni jr. does glass-balance with mama Edita Faltyni as assistant. The clown Jerry hides under the mask Jindra Faltiny snr. Diana's daughter, Simona, shows a hula-hoop routine. And then Diana lives up to the concept of the circus, with another animal act: the dog Bosse. Clown Jerry pop up as a snake charmer. The first part of the performance ends with of Edit Belitzky-Arrieta and Raul Angel Arrieta's Argentine Drum and Bola act.

Diana Rhodin with ponies in the ring. Photo: Jörgen Börsch

Jerry clowns as a prelude to the second part of the performance followed by Simone on the tight wire. Clown Jerry draws (?) a spectator, and Diana shows that she has taught the dog Bosse to ride a pony. Jindra jr. has a rola bola act and Simona shows magic. And then Edit & Raul Arrieta end the performance with their crossbow act, followed presentation of the artists and thank-you words from Diana.

See more at www.cirkusrhodin.se

12 August 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS – OR NOT!!!

Please see a summing up of just about everything carrying the label CIRCUS, particularly since the eighties.

Paris boosted the slogan PARIS AIME LE CIRQUE / Paris loves circus.

Paris sports lots of spaces to welcome the different circuses:  the large park PELOUSE DE REUILLY, the park BOIS DE BOULOGNE nearby, not to mention other facilities.

The presence of wild animals can be discussed, but on serious and knowledgeable grounds.

LA MAIRIE / the TOWNHALL/ has chosen not to welcome circus with predators any more.
They are not habilitated to decide, the issue is on the Government's table, however they have other more urgent problems, their decision is not for tomorrow.

Since about  1980 I have seen and mentioned numerous circus productions: ALEXIS GRUSS, /horsemanship not seen since the  SCHUMANN days, PINDER, /lions and tigers in classy acts/, ARLETTE GRUSS, /traditions combined with renewed ideas/, CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE, /super circus in the ancient and magnificent building/, CIRQUE DE NOEL,  CHRISTIANE BOUGLIONE, / family-friendly circus/.

Earlier we could enjoy up to 8 different circus productions, i.e. CIRQUE ROMANES, now at a different location when playing in Paris, CIRQUE PAUWELS, having moved to BRUXELLES, CIRQUE MORENO BORMANN, now located near Metro Balard, CIRQUE KINOS, closed, CIRQUE ZAVATTA, large circus family operating several productions, FRATELLINI proposing a circus school on the outskirts of Paris, CIRQUE GONTELLI, small family circus for the smallest fry, playing PARIS summertime, MARSEILLE wintertime.

This Christmas season Cirque PHENIX, is playing at PELOUSE DE REUILLY sporting super clever Chinese acrobats, elite -gymnastics, not circus, if you ask me, I respect other opinions.

As for classical circuses we will in the coming X-MAS season just see ALEXIS GRUSS and CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE - a shrinking number, I regret to say. And CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE will not any longer present big cats of elephants. Sad.

This winter's performance in the famous Cirque D'hiver Bouglione is called Défi. There are premiere October 12th. Last day March 15, 2020. For part of the season only performances on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition to the two circuses you can from 16 November to 15 December see CIRQUE DE NOEL CHRISTIANE BOUGLIONE in Porte de Passy.

ARLETTE GRUSS won't turn up, since last year's audience ... didn’t!

PINDER that has cancelled its usual tour, will come, without lions, and according to relevant info, has a show based on newly examined artists /circus school/, and apparently having given in to a trend that is not supported by all public, they also have to deal with an economic situation that is plummeting thus producing a bust, i.e. they have lost a great deal of their school shows, as the school scheme for the minors has been changed, thus making these economically speaking necessary school shows next to impossible.

I close this résumé in a  rather sad mood, thinking of the time when real circus was popular and highly appreciated - on a large scale it still is ...  a pious thought  :   MAY IT COME BACK -  and eventually a quotation from DANISH UNION OF ARTISTS:  LIVE ENTERTAINMENT   -- 

FOR LIVE PEOPLE!!!

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --   OR NOT !!!

PARIS,  AUG 2019.
ZARRO ZARRO.

8 August 2019

The Danish Circus Award 2019 to Benny Schumann. Talent Prize to Kolev Sisters. Best Act Prize to Andrejs Fjodorovs.

The Danish Circus Award 2019 was today by the Danish Minister of culture Joy Mogensen given to Benny Schumann.

Benny Schumann is born in 1945. For 40 seasons he has toured all over Denmark with his kid-friendly clown- and artist show. A couple of years ago we saw him with his famous plate spinning act at Wallmans in the Copenhagen Circus building, where he 50 years earlier he had his debut as a plate spinning juggler and where he as member of the famous Schumann family spent his childhood and teenager years.

The Danish Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen presented the biggest honor in Danish circus world, the Danish Circus Award, to the clown and artist Benny Schumann. The visible evidence of the award was a painting by Viggo Salting. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen took the opportunity for a very personal and warm talk about how important it is to dare something - and also fail. Often you will find out how much can be done - even from what you did not think possible. The young people have never been under greater pressure than now. Therefore, they prefer not to throw themselves into something they are not sure they can, the minister said.

-I hope they go to the circus and feel the energy - and feel that they can, Joy Mogensen added in her speech to Benny Schumann,

She praised him as a clown for making us laugh both together and also a little bit of ourselves and found his efforts to bring the circus on to the new generation important.

Benny Schumann humbly thanked for the distinguished award which has a very special meaning to him. His famous father, Albert Schumann, was the first to receive it. It happened in 1968, and shortly after, Albert Schumann left the circus and never returned to the ring.

Benny Schumann will never do the same, he assured. His greatest role model throughout his life has been his maternal grandfather, the world-renowned clown Charlie Rivel, who stayed on until the last breath.

Benny Schumann took the opportunity to highlight that, in his opinion, banning many different animals from the circus, most recently with a bill banning elephants, is crazy.

-There have been animals in the circus for hundreds of years. Instead of one ban after another, some animal psychologists should go out and study how artists and animals communicate in a circus, Benny Schumann said.

The circus museum hosted the awards ceremony and museum curator Mikkel Knudsen welcomed. In the foreground the Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen. Smartphone photo taken by Ole Simonsen

As previous years, many artists and circus friends had found their way to the awards ceremony. Here they salute with standing applause Kolev Sisters, who presented their act before the awards was handed over. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The awards ceremony again this year became a festive event, which for the fourth consecutive year took place in the Fencing Hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. The actor and stage director Jan Hertz, who is a member of the award jury, was compére.

Jan Hertz was the events good-humored compére. Or ringmaster / sprechstallmeister, as it is called in the circus world. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Jan recalled that the large Danish circuses of the 1950’ties were Benneweis, Belli, Louis, Moreno, Miehe and Schumann. He continued:

“Today, all the mentioned circuses have disappeared, but new ones popped up. This is how it has always been in the circus industry: some disappear and others come. And remember: the traveling Danish circuses are unique privately owned businesses that receive no state aid.

During my childhood, we met in in the ring in addition to artists and clowns lots of animals including lions, tigers, bears, chimpanzees and elephants.

The predators disappeared from the Danish rings in 1963 and the chimpanzees in 1980. Now the elephants are also on their way out. Let's hope there is a solution that will guarantee them a good future when they can no longer perform in Danish rings.

But we have talented artists and wonderful clowns. Some circuses also feature horses, dogs, cats, pigs, goats and parrots in the performances. This year we have even been able to experience both pigeons and rats in the Danish rings. Common for all the Danish circuses - Arena, Arli, Baldoni, Barnly, Mascot, Nemo and Trapez - is that they create wonderful performances, which every delights hundreds of thousands of Danes.”

This year's Talent Award went to Kolev Sisters from the Circus Arena. It was sponsored by the Simon Spies Foundation and was presented by the mayor of Hvidovre Helle Adelborg

The Sisters Nicole and Michelle Kolev had a breakthrough with hand-to-hand acrobatics with international girl power, triggering the Talent Award in 2019. The two Italian sisters can undoubtedly look forward to more awards at upcoming circus festivals, etc. Their act which they presented as an introduction to the awards ceremony is unique and never before performed by female artists. Nicole and Michelle are the daughters of two of the artists from The Flying Wulber and tell that during the three years where Flying Wulber toured with German Circus Charles Knie, they trained with the excellent handstand and hand-to-hand acrobats Messoudi Brothers. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The award for the best act of the year went to Andrejs Fjodorovs from Circus Arena. Jan Hertz revealed that the choice between the three nominated acts which were all was very good had been difficult. The jury had looked not only the technical difficulty but also the artist's personal magnetism and whether there was anything that made the number very special. The award, which was sponsored by the Circus House Museum Association and Danish Circus Friends, was handed over by representatives from the two associations: Leif Andersen from the Museum Association and John Lington from the Danish Circus Friends.

Andrejs Fjodorovs surprised everyone when he appeared as a self-taught pigeon whisperer in 2008 in the small Circus Arli. A foreign circus agent spotted him. Two years later, he performed at the International Circus Festival in Monte-Carlo, and the international breakthrough was a reality. This year, Fjodorovs is back in Denmark, this time in the Circus Arena. The lord of the pigeons knows the impossible so convincingly that you get reincarnation thoughts! He must have been a dove in his past life. The jury found that Fjodorov's act is absolutely unique and light years better than any other pigeon numbers they have seen. John Lington from Danish Circus Friends and Leif Andersen from Circus House Museum Association presented the diploma

The chairman of the Association of Danish Circus Directors Martin Arli presented the Effort Award to Mayor Helle Adelborg. The award goes to the politician or public person who has done the most for the circus in the past year. Hvidovre municipality, where Helle Adelborg is mayor, has through the operation of the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, made a unique effort to preserve the history of the Danish circus and created a combination of activity and museum that makes the experience unique and something more and more than that traditional museum visits.

Martin Arli and Helle Adelborg. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the awards ceremony.

The Danish Circus Award 2019 consisted of a painting, created and donated by the painter Viggo Salting.

The Talent Prize consisted of a diploma and an amount of DKK 10,000.

The prize for the best act of the year consisted of a diploma and an amount of 500 Euro.

The Effort inaugural prize consisted of a painting by Viggo Salting.

The winners from the left: Helle Adelborg, Kolev Sisters, Andrejs Fjodorovs, Joy Mogensen and this year's recipient of the Danish Circus Award Benny Schumann. Behind them the prize jury: Ole Simonsen, Jan Hertz, and Rud Kofoed. Photo: Trine Kofoed / Ajour Press

In his closing speech, jury chairman Ole Simonsen said:

“We are a little proud that this year, for the fourth year in a row, we have been able to award well-deserved awards to a few artists and circus people. The original circus award from 1968 only survived for two seasons. We have ensured that at least for the fifth time in 2020, we will be able to award prizes to honor the industry that every year delights hundreds of thousands of Danes with their performances.

Choosing recipients of the prizes has not been easy. The year has offered a lot of great numbers and talented circus people who deserve recognition. But as a jury, we have to make a choice. And I am glad that today we have had the opportunity to honor a few of the talents that we have met in this country since the awards ceremony last year.”

Finally, three cheers for the Danish circuses.”

I am delighted that you, as everyone can see, are in an advance stage of pregnancy thus doing your part if ensuring that there will also be a future generation of circus happy children, Danish Circus Award’s chairman Ole Simonsen said with a twinkle in his eye to the Culture Minister Joy Mogensen. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Three former recipients of the Danish Circus Award. Benny Berdino from Circus Arena received the award in 2016, Søren Østergaard from Zirkus Nemo in 2017 and Martin Arli from Circus Arli in 2018. Photo Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press. Click here to see more of Rud's photos

4 August 2019

On Saturday, August 3, a group of Danish circus friends visited Laura and Luis Torres Schumann excellent horse show at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm in Morud on Funen. On the photo you can see some of the circus friends together with Laura, Luis and the couple's 2 children as well as standing second from the right Daniel Hamre, who was one of the performers in the show.

The Schumann Torres family: Laura, Luis, Natalia and Adriana, photographed after the show at Ditlevsdal Bisonfarm. Click here to see photos from their show.

1 august 2019

Wallmans season 2019/2020. About the upcoming show in the Copenhagen Circus Building Wallmans writes:

NEW SEASON, NEW SHOW, NEW PARTY: CARNIVAL – THE BIGGEST DINNERPARTY IN TOWN!

Get ready! It’ll be action all the way and there’ll be no sitting still at the biggest dinner party in town – a sparkling cascade of laughter, excitement and amazing surprises from start to finish. Do you have something special to celebrate or do you just fancy an evening packed with magic, celebration and colour? Welcome to Wallmans’ Dinnerparty!

NOT JUST A SPECTATOR – PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

You and your fellow guests will enjoy a delicious 4-course menu. But make sure an artiste doesn’t land in your soup! Like a firework display, the performers will surround you, filling every conceivable nook and cranny in the huge Circus hall. You’ll no longer be a mere spectator. At Wallmans you sit in the midst of the whole experience. Before you even have time to look around, you’ll be part of the show.

We guarantee several breaks in the course of the evening to allow you to enjoy your food, the chilled drinks and the company of your friends and family. Mind you, you can never be sure! Before you know it, you might just be joined by a magician…

CRAZY HUMOUR IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN

We’ve listened to our guests and this time we’re featuring even more humour – including the totally off-the-wall variety. Look forward to the the one-of-a-kind Abigail Collins, who has performed in the West End and at the National Theatre in London, receiving nothing but the highest of praise from the British media. She has a personality that fills the entire room, and as the character ‘Peggy Sued’ she has made thousands and thousands of audiences laugh until their ribs ached.

DO YOU WANNA ROCK?

The circus hall will really hot up, when an amazing American-Canadian circus duo performs their stunning act on two swinging sway poles way up under the Circus dome. It’s an award-winning act, which will have the whole audience holding their breath in a state of intense excitement.

We’ll also take you on a sensational, whistle-stop journey, featuring artistes on live instruments and some of the most talented singers and dancers in the business! Let your hair down and step on it as the pace really picks up with a funky Bruno Mars medley and a selection of the Eurythmics’ greatest hits.

Time flies at the best party in town, but we’ll end with a huge bang that will simply blow the roof off! Now it’s time to stamp your feet and party your heart out, as the whole company goes berserk in a torrent of song, dance and artistry, to the explosive tones of the greatest rock legend of them all: Queen! We will rock you!

Welcome to the biggest party in town at Wallmans Circus Building!

CARNIVAL is an international show that is performed in English and can be enjoyed by everyone.

CARNIVAL can be seen Thursday - Saturday from August 23, 2019 through mid-June 2020. Ticket prices vary depending on the day, period, category and menu you choose.

Wallmans Creative Director Johan Espeland tells us that the American-Canadian circus duo is Duo Pile ou Face. The two artists Philippe Renaud and Shannon Maguire have been working together since 2014. Philippe received a bronze medal bronze at the Cirque de Demain festival in 2009. Shanon got the audience award at the Latina Circus Festival in 2012. They are very versatile and can do several acts. At Wallmans you will in addition to the entrée in sway pole see them with Cyr Wheel (see photo) and adagio / hand to hand acrobatics / dance. The act in the swing pole is probably a bit like the legendary Fattini's famous comic entrée with the lamppost, which visitors to the Copenhagen Circus building enjoyed both in the Schumann years and in the Benneweis years.

Duo Pile ou Face. Photo: Pablo Wünsch Blanco

25 July 2019

German Circus Krone 2019. Many Danish circus friends visited Circus Krone when they visited Flensburg just south of the Danish/German border from 16 to 23 July. We know that another group of Danish circus friends and a group of Swedish circus friends will visit them when they visit Kiel from 8 to 19 August.

Among the guests for the afternoon performance Sunday were Danish Circus Friends’ chairman Kim Thanning Olsen and this website's webmaster Lars Simonsen and his son Sebastian

Circus Krone is Europe's largest circus and probably also the world's largest touring tented circus.

Last year, there were rumours that Circus Krone would purchase a slightly smaller tent. But in Flensburg they still used the old slightly oblong tent, which probably has room for 3,500 spectators. However, it is rare with that many visitors.

Their new performance is a themed performance entitled Mandana - Circuskunst neu geträumt. The story is about the horse princess who falls in love with the lion prince and eventually gets married to him. Just as it happened to current Circus Crone owner Jana Mandana Lacey Krone and the big cat trainer Martin Lacey Jr. Jana Mandana took over ownership to Circus Krone when her adoptive mother Christel Sembach-Krone passed away in 2017.

Small sketches between the artist’s acts tied the performance together.

There may be different opinions as to whether it is an advantage with some form of theme in a circus performance. It works best if the artist numbers are good, and that is certainly the case in the 2œ hour performance at Circus Krone. But the performance might be just as good, even if you dropped the theme.

Circus Krone’s ringmaster for many years Nikolai Tovarich welcomed and bid farewell but did not present the individual acts.

Several acts deserve to be highlighted.

Duo Stipka (Eliana and Daniel Stipka) rode an elegant pas de deux, where Eliana ends up standing on Daniel's head. The couple got a bronze clown in Monte Carlo in 2012. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Aleksandr Bautuev did a good and not too long contortion act. He got a bronze clown in Monte Carlo in 2017. Photo: Lise Kokholm / Cirkusfoto.dk

Jana Mandana and Hans-Ludwig Suppmeir rode beautiful high school.

The Colombian troupe Los Robles presented an impressive number on high wire. There were both dancing, leapfrog over other acrobats, skipping and two men on a bicycle with a female artist in between on a bar, see photo. And we got rid of the faked fall, where the artist grabs the line at the last minute, which many high wire artist seems to love. The act ended with the famous 7-man pyramid. They must be obvious candidates for awards at the big circus festivals. Photos Lise Kokholm / Cirkusfoto.dk (bike) and Ole Simonsen (pyramid)

Troupe Non Stop presented dressed as travelling entertainers a trampoline against wall-entrée. It is probably the same troupe which that the Danes experienced in the Circus Arena in 2016. Photo: Lise Kokholm / Cirkusfoto.dk

Jana Mandana presented beautiful horses in liberty. At one time, there were 15 horses in the ring and a total of about 30 horses in the ring in the various entrées with horses. Photos: Ole Simonsen

Duo Stauberti (Ditmar Stauberti and his niece Nancy) showed their impressive perch act, with Ditmar ending up balancing the perch while riding a mono bike. The Swedes saw them last year in Circus Olympia. They got a silver clown in Monte Carlo in January 2018. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The main clowns in the performance were the Russian Trio Without Socks, which had a number of fine entrées with much new ideas. They made their international breakthrough at the Budapest Circus Festival in 2018, winning silver. At the Monte Carlo festival in January this year they got bronze. Some believe that clowns should have red noses and will call Without Socks for comedians and not for clowns. However, I found it excellent with a little renewal instead of Fumagalli and his give me the honey-entrée. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The show's last act was Martin Lacey Jr. with lots of lions and a few tigers. Impressive, not least because of the number of animals – I believe there were at least 15. For his act he has several times been awarded a gold clown in Monte Carlo. Photos: Ole Simonsen

One artist did not appeal to me: the Hungarian comedian Steve Eleky, who laughed more at his own whims than the audience did. It is fair to say, however, that a Danish family sitting right behind me laughed very much at him. Photo: Lise Kokholm / Cirkusfoto.dk

As something new, this year there was a "live" orchestra in Circus Krone. Slightly unconventional placed on a bandstand above the audience entrance. However, they only played during a few acts, including the clown entrees. For most of the performance, the music was pre-recorded as in previous years.

The Danes and Swedes who visit the Circus Krone in Kiel or elsewhere in Germany have something to look forward to. Many will probably think it's the best circus performance they've seen this year.

22 July 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  even in summertime – for the  benefit of the small fry who have not yet left for school holidays  -- a rather small avant-garde theatre :  COMEDIE NATION proudly presents an hilarious sketch, 45  min, called  ABUDADABEL – a fancy name for a show by and with BALTHAZAR GAULIER and  SUSANA ALCANTUD who between  stage and audience ramble around , performing all kinds of funny actions  -  mostly clowning , easy to understand and very lively – thus allowing the youngest kids to follow all that happens, the entire show is spiced up by magical stunts, as well as a large portion of interaction with the lot of the public.

Using the stage names of BUMBEL and  CROQUETA these allround artists produce a lot of laughter and the audience is captivated.

In the grand finale, Croqueta loses her right arm in a box, I never saw  before ...it appeared that BUMBEL had bought it from  Norwegian international  magic entertainer  FINN JON !!

Stage setting : Pablo Gomis /Cirque du Soleil.

Well worth seeing!

Photos by courtesy of Balthazar Gaulier. Photographer Majid Khalili

Abudadabel is touring internationally. They will be back in Paris from 11 September

See more: www.comedienation.fr/content/abudadabel

Venue: COMEDIE NATION, 77 rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris. Metro: Nation, then a short walk, there are plans of the area in each Metro station.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

19 July 2019

Nominations for this year's Danish circus award.

Since last year's awards ceremony in August 22, 2018, members of the jury have seen more than 60 artists / artist acts in Denmark.

The jury has now decided which of these will be nominated for the prize for this year's best act in Denmark and the year's talent prize.

For the prize for the best act of the year is nominated:

Andrejs Fjodorovs, Circus Arena

Duo Kvas, Circus Nemo

Alan Sulc, Circus Arli

ANDREJ'S FJODOROVS surprised everyone when he in 2008 appeared in the small Danish Circus Arli as an autodidact pigeon trainer. A foreign circus agent spotted the sensation. Two years later, he appeared at the international circus festival in Monte-Carlo, where he received the distinguished "Prix de l'Association Monegasque Des Amis du Cirque". Now the world had seen him, and the international breakthrough was a reality. The pigeon act has been a sensation ever since at the biggest festivals and in the major circus rings. This year, Fjodorovs is back to Denmark. The lord of the doves can make it impossible to not get reincarnation thoughts! He must have been pigeon in his former life. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

DUO KVAS is with their fantastic balance head to head in the literal sense the head act the year’s performance in Zirkus Nemo. It is their neck vertebrae that you can almost hear the crunch when the two Ukrainians Vladimir Kostenko and Anton Savchenko present their absolutely incredible acrobatic strength. There is a more than usual good head on Vladimir, because not only can manage that Anton stands on his own head on top of it, but at the same time Vladimir can go to his knees and up again. The power demonstration is world class. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

ALAN SULC is 28 years old, from the Czech Republic and one of the best tempo jugglers you can think of. In discreet little-flowered, white shirt and black pants with mica edging in the side seam, he jumps up on his little podium, while his girlfriend, Miss Veronica, stands ready with a bag of balls. That's all he uses. Alan Sulc's style is pure - and so sure you think it's a lie. He juggles up to nine balls - and they are all in play and rushing around and up and down in tight-fitting patterns. In 2004, as a 14-year-old, he got a bronze clown in Monte Carlo. Shortly after, Alan appeared in Circus Benneweis before continuing into the world and becaming a world class star. That he now is back in Denmark seems miraculous.

For this year's talent prize has been nominated: 

Adrienn, Circus Baldoni

Kolev Sisters, Circus Arena

The brothers Ikaros (Dessto and Abebe), Circus Mascot

ADRIENN with the surname Fehérgyamati comes from Hungary and is a delight to the eye in the good old-fashioned circus discipline: trapeze.  Her act is done with talent, charm and elegance and in a way that makes her much more than "just another trapeze acrobat" when she makes elegant acrobatics with elements of contortion and high above the ring is using her trapeze as a somersault bar. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

KOLEV SISTERS are girl power! The fact that two young sisters, the youngest is 19, should become an outstanding top act is one of the dreams that comes through in the season's Circus Arena show. And no, it is not just because they are good-looking, which of course is no disadvantage. Well, the fact is that the chain of at least 250 years of strong men in the ring here is severely broken by girl power hardly seen before. Kolev Sisters' hand-to-hand acrobatics is so beautiful, powerful and incredibly impressive that it every night trigger standing applause from the excited audience. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press.

IKAROS BROTHERS - the two Ethiopian "brothers" Abebe and Dessta - are this year's guest artists in Circus Mascot. They start with a juggling entrée with hats, but it is in the final Risley act that is going on. Big brother Dessta juggles with his charming little brother Abebe at a furious pace - and here everything goes really crazy. For he does it with his legs, lying on his back, and with a security and a talent that promise good for the future and shows that not only European and Asian circus schools can produce young talents. Photo: Daniel Deleuran

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 8 at 10 in Fencing Hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. with the participation of the Danish Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen and Hvidovre’s  mayor Helle Adelborg.

Four prizes will be awarded: The Honorary Award "The Danish Circus Award ", the Talent Prize, The best act of the year prize and an effort award to the politician or public person who has done the most for Danish circuses in the past year. There is no nomination for the honorary award and the effort award

15 July 2019

Obituary: Calle Jernström, Circus Finlandia. The founder of Finland's largest and oldest circus, Carl-Gustaf "Calle" Jernström, passed away Sunday 14 July after some time of illness. He started Cirkus Finlandia in 1976 and would have turned 75 late July. He was known as a fine and noble person. Several years ago, the management of Circus Finlandia was handed over to Calle Jernström's son, Carl "Calle" Jernström junior.

Circus Finlandia is touring all over Finland and has each year more than 200 performances in approx. 100 different cities. The annual number of visitors is approximately 200,000. Circus Finlandia offers every year an international performance of high quality.

Carl-Gustaf ”Calle” Jernström in front of Circus Finlandia

14 July 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  also in summertime - THEATRE DE L'ATELIER proudly presents a fantastic, original and sympathetic show: CIRCUS INCOGNITUS by and with  JAMIE ADKINS, a US-Canadian multi-artist,  who elegantly and skillfully  performs on slack wire, with and without juggling, acrobatics on a surprising ladder, an incredible sequence juggling 5 ping pong balls using his mouth ....  and a chair!!!

Furthermore a kind of hilarious comedy, mime, movements, - everything perfect and well worked thru, particularly one remembers the stunts with the red chair!

A great deal of interaction is displayed, JAMIE ADKINS, holding a fork in his mouth, catches a number of oranges that are thrown towards him - by the spectators!

The entire show reminds me of BUSTER KEATON and of STAN LAUREL as well, / LAUREL AND HARDY/, surely for all of us, having seen these comedians.

THEATRE DE L'ATELIER is a place, worthy of this magnificent show, while waiting for the curtain to rise, we were treated to a kind of happy-jazz-music, the theater is decorated in traditional style, red and gold - and all that makes the audience turn into a happy mood.

JAMIE ADKINS show is clearly inspired by the American VAUDEVILLE and likewise by all Music Hall entertainment of quality - you feel like shouting BRAVO!!!

See more: www.jamieadkins.com & www.theatre-atelier.com/circus-incognitus-lo2774.html

Click here to see a video clip

Venue: Theatre de l'Atelier, Place Charles Dullin, 75018 Paris. Metro:  Pigalle, then 10 min. walk.

Playing until AUG 11, 2019.  65 min. show.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

11 July 2019

Circusland 2019. The theme park Circusland in Circus Arena's winter quarter in Aarslev close to Slagelse offers far from as many rides as other Danish amusement parks as Bakken, Bonbonland, Legoland, Tivoli and the various summer parks. On the other hand, it offers live entertainment what many miss in most of the other amusement parks. The summer edition of Circusland makes it an obvious place to visit for families with smaller children.

And it's even cheap. The entrance fee is just 129 DKK (17.5 Euro), parking is free, free admittance to all shows and the large playground. It is allowed to bring your own lunch basket. There is also a bistro with reasonable prices.

Last year's theme was pirates. This year there are two themes. In the morning, the theme is pirates, and in the afternoon the fairy-tale country Esdelot.

The first show of the day is a pirate and sea lion show. Kalle Cannon Ball (Brian Behrendt) welcomes and the show is presented by pirate mummy Suzanne Berdino.

The Pirate mummy presents the performance. All photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The approx. 20 minutes long show offers foot juggling with Sylvana Biasini, sword-fighting and pirate acrobatics with all the 8 performers, an act in pole with Katja Kaiser as well as the sea lions Luna and Sally, presented by Chang. The large male sea lion Oscar is in rut and for this reason not part of the performance. Towards the start of the season, the sea lions have been trained by veteran Addie Jepsen, who in her younger days was one of Europe's best sea lion trainers.

To the left: Sylvana Biasini. To the right: Katja Kaiser

Chang and the sea lions. The coming ban against sea lions in circuses might make it the last chance to see performing sea lions in Denmark.

The children's show on the stage in the large playground is presented by Brian Behrendt, who now has changed artist name and costume to Mr. Tik Tak. Together with the clown Berty Balder he does a little magic and makes balloon animals.

Mr. Tik ​​Tak and Berty

Next, Madam Betty (Suzanne Berdino) presents a nice little dog show, assisted by Berty's daughter Delilah and another small girl. The last act in the show is the robot Bumblebee, known from the movie of the same name. First, Berty shows him as a little doll, and then he is transformed into a 2œ meter tall robot which asks the children to dance just like him. Inside in the robot is the artist Paolo Kaiser. After the show, the children can be photographed for free with Bumblebee. (Parents / grandparents can take photos their smartphone or camera).

Bumblebee and Madam Betty, Mr. Tik ​​Tak and Berty

A little later there is a festive fairy-tale parade with many beautiful fairy-tale figures. The beautiful and colourful costumes are as far as know made by Sylvana Biasini.

At 13:30 there is an approx. 40 minutes long performance in Circus Landino. It is a circus fairy-tale performance that begins with Mr. Tik Tak entering the ring together with the Tigger Tiger Lilly (not a live tiger and not her from the Peter Pan film). The performance is presented by Madame Betty (Suzanne Berdino) and begins with Circus Arena’s long-standing chief animal trainer Tim Delbosq presenting an act with a dromedary, a knabstrupper-horse, a zebra and a pony and finally a two lamas.

A Pippi Longstocking horse (the breed is called Knabstrupper) and a zebra. The coming ban makes it perhaps the last chance to see a zebra in a Danish circus ring.

Then the clown Berty enters the ring with a nice little entrée where he makes a painting of two spectators who are invited into the ring. Next come Claude and Sylvana Biasini in the ring with an entrée which combines quick change with magic.

Then, Mr. Tik Tak tries his luck as big cat trainer with Tiger Lilly, followed by Suzanne Berdino's entrée with her 4 dapple-grey Arabian horses.

Suzanne Berdino and her horses

Berty then enters the ring with his "ostrich" who wants popcorn.

Berty and his ostrich

The performance last act is the rola-bola acrobat Paolo Kaiser, who many Danes remember from Circus Arena 2016. He shows, as at Arena, great and bold jumps from one rola bola podium to the other, concluding with a backward summersault from one board to the other. Tough!

Paolo Kaiser doing a backward summersault from board to board. Click here to see more of Jacob Boas Leitisstein's photos from Circusland.

All the performers are wearing colourful fairy-tale costumes.

Circusland is open until 11 August, daily from 10-16. Driving directions: If you come at motorway E20, turn off at exit 39. Take road 225 towards Jyderup. In Sonderup turn left towards Aarslev. Then follow the signs. To the GPS: the address is Aarslevvej 6, 4200 Slagelse.

9 July 2019

In the small circus museum in Circusland in Aarslev near Slagelse 4 of the circus queen Agnete Louise Enoch's beautiful dresses from her time as ringmaster in Circus Dannebrog is exhibited during the summer season. Today, Agnete Louise Enoch works e.g. with tour planning for a Monster Truck Show, which visits Denmark. The show, which is owned by the German Aranis Klaas family, also visited Denmark in 2017 and 2018. Photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

7 July 2019

The subway under the railway track at Holte Station is decorated with a number of Photostats - local rail-historic photos. At the door on the Vejlesøvej entrance, Sonny Benneweis is seen getting one of the circus' elephants out of his railroad wagon at Holte Station in 1958. Photo: fantastica-cirkus@borsch.dk

7 July 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --  LA SCALA, formerly a legitimate theater that went bust, ending as a porn-cinema - and closed -  after being entirely refurbished in a nice blue colour,   proudly presents excellent shows, now a contemporary circus program "5es  HURLANTS" , a creation by RAPHAELLE BOITEL, co-operation by TRISTAN BAUDOIN.

PROGRAM/CASTING:  JULIETTA SALZ, aerial ring, SALVO CAPPELLO, straps, ALEJANDRO ESCOBEDO, juggling, LOIC LEVIEL, tight and slack wire, CLARA HENRY, acrobatics.

Performing excellent acrobatic stunts, RAPHAELLE BOITEL wants to show us solidarity within a group, thus human behaviour at its best. Emotions are supposed to be felt by all these moving stunts and at the same time it says BRAVO to the circus art.

An entirely original show where each spectator can feel a personal interpretation.

Show 65 minutes.

Photos by courtesy of Dominique Racle Consultants. Photographer: Sophian Ridel

To my mind it is essential to refer to the printed program to seize the messages entirely, this is true concerning all contemporary circus mixing visual effects with theatrical messages!!

Well worth seeing!

The performance can be seen from 4 to 21 July.

See more https://lascala-paris.com/

Venue: LA SCALA PARIS, 13 BOULEVARD de STRASBOURG, 75010 PARIS.

Metro: Strasbourg Saint Denis.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

4 July 2019

The Danish Circus Award 2019. This year's awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 8 at 10 in the Fencing Hall at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre. The Danish Minister of Culture, Joy Mogensen, has promised that, like her two predecessors, she will be present and hand over the Danish circus world’s most distinguished award The Danish Circus Award. The name of the prize recipient is first published in connection with the award ceremony. Everyone is welcome to attend the award ceremony. Apart from the Danish Circus Award there is a talent prize and a prize to the best act of the year.

2 July 2019

Circus show at Lalandia Rødby. Again this year, the tropical holiday centre Lalandia in Rødby present an artist performance during the summer holidays. This year the performers are Ina Sopova and Kristaps Pavlovs-Lipinskis as well as the couple's 10 year old son Aleksis. They come from Latvia, where Kristraps’ mother was the manager of the now closed circus building in Riga. The couple appeared in Circus Arli in 2006 and 2010.

There was premiere of this year's show on Friday 28 June. Kristaps started with a little comical magic followed by his and Ina's excellent quick-change act which also offered a little comedy.

Even after being tied with ropes, Ina can change her dress with (almost) lightning speed

Then the couple's son entered the stage in a nice entrée on a one-wheel bicycle and some acrobatics.

Aleksis on monobike

Next, Ina and Kristaps were back with comical magic - the trick with the hangers on the string, where they were assisted by one of the many children who saw the show. Then Ina took over the stage with two dachsdogs.

Ina Sopova and her dachsdogs

The next act was Kristaps’ well-executed cigar box juggling with a good deal of humour in the trick with the many boxes.

Kristaps - can he also handle box no. 22?

The performance ended with a couple of nice quick-change tricks.

At the premiere, the circus show lasted approx. 40 minutes. But it will probably be tightened up, so it takes 30-35 minutes.

Up to and including 9 August, the show can be seen on the square in Lalandia Rødby every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 20. Free admission for everyone, i.e. not just for guests at Lalandia. The rest of the days, Lalandia's regular entertainer Mr Plys appears. His civil name is Niels Lærkegaard, and he started as attendant at Lalandia in 1988. After he had booked a not too successful magician to entertain in 1990, he realised that he could do better. And it was the beginning of his career as an entertainer, balloon clown and magician, both at Lalandia and elsewhere.

Mr Plys photographed together with my 8 year old granddaughter Pernille

2 July 2019

This year it is the entertainer Bubber who is ringmaster in Circus Arena. There are, however, a few days where he cannot participate, and Benny Berdino takes over position as ringmaster. This was the case at the performance in Nykøbing Sjælland on July 1, when Jacob Boas Leitisstein took this photo of Benny in his old star part. Benny concluded by saying that next year's performance will be a "Circus according to Bubber 2".

Jacob Boas Leitisstein also took this photo of the Alexander troupe, which in mid-May replaced the Cheban troupe in this year's Arena performance

2 July 2019

Marvelous Moments in Hansapark. The northern German amusement park Hansapark, which is located just north of Lübeck, offers besides the many rides also an artist show in their variety theater Fiesta del Mar. This year's show is called Marvelous Moments. Before that approximately 30-minute long show a well-playing 5-man band warmed up the audience. For the show itself, however, the music was pre-recorded. The first act was springboard with the troupe 4 Happy Boys, who primarily used the springboard as a seesaw and a kick-off for high jumps. Several of the jumps were with somersaults, but no one ended with the flyer landing on the shoulder of one of the other acrobats.

4 Happy Boys. All photos reproduced from poster in Hansapark. It was not allowed to take photos during the performance

The next act was Stepan Melnyk in aerial straps.

Stepan Melnyk comes from Ukraine and is trained at the Circus School in Kiev (Kyiv Municipal Academy of Circus and Variety Arts)

Third and best act was Trio Liazeed. The Danish audience saw them on the open air stage in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens in 1991 and 1998 and on the open air stage at Bakken in 2001. In 2008 they toured with Circus Benneweis and in 2012 with Circus Dannebrog. In the two circuses, the troupe consisted of Papa Omar, daughter Zaida and her boyfriend Francisco. In 2012, however, one could sense that Omar was on his way to retire from the act... In Hansapark the troupe consisted of Zaida and Francisco and his son Armando. The latter the Danes met in Circus Dannebrog in 2016, where he among other things jumped on his head and on one hand up and down a staircase. He was one of the three artists who The Danish Circus Award Jury nominated for the prize for 2016’s best act. He did the same impressive tricks as part of the Liazeeds 2019 act. You don't reveal the age of ladies, but Zaida was probably 10 years old when she had her artist debut in 1969...

Trio Liazeed

The fourth and last act was an aerial act with 3 Ferreiras.

3 Ferreiras

It is an excellent idea that an amusement parks in addition to all the rides also offers artist entertainment. Something many miss in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens and at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen.

27 June 2019

Flying Superkids. Flying Superkids started many years ago as a traditional gymnastics team, but has evolved into an internationally renowned show ensemble, and today the show has performed in more than 35 countries. Audiences everywhere and of all ages are blown away by the show, and Flying Superkids is a wonderful experience for the whole family. The show is a high tempo mix of acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, singing, comedy, tumbling and of course twists, double and triple somersaults on trampolines and other crazy equipment. The true centre of the show, however, is the joy of life within each of the young performers.

Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Tilst (Aarhus suburb) on June 21 at 6.30 pm and writes:

An hour before the performance began, there was busy activity on the large area around the beautiful, brand new tent palace. A proud Jimmy Enoch showed me the palace: a tent palace without poles, but with room for 1,000 spectators. All spectators sit on a steep 10-row seating, and all sit on comfortable, upholstered benches with a good backrest. The design of the seating is well suited to give the audience a sense of solidarity. And in a good mood, the performance is well on the way to becoming a good and life-affirming experience - both for the actors on the stage and the spectators who can see and hear the other spectators' companionship and applause. A steep seating section strengthens the experience.

But before the performance, children romped about in the open air. It was almost like a fun fair or as a festival. There was a trampoline, a climbing track, a moon bounce, a playing field, swings - and much more. And a car on which it was allowed to paint with a marker. Plus a number of stalls where food and merchandise were for sale. And a stage for warm-up for those who wanted to join.

The circus lot with the palace tent. All photos by courtesy of Flying Superkids

The concept of Superkids is different from the classic circus e.g. because the performers are children and young people who love to perform - and do so in their spare time. But the performance has a leg in the circus and moves in a tension field between gymnastics, dance and circus.

Superkids are distinguished by a nice design - both in terms of suits and lighting. All the time you get surprised – you are almost bombarded with light and visual impressions. Everything is run at a tight pace, where nothing gets stuck and nothing is forced. It seems immensely worked out - and yet relaxed, like a play with the body, with props, with costumes, with light, sound and colours. And everything is supported by the actors' obvious joy and pride in what they do and can do.

The performance starts with a jump from a mobile tower, which can be driven forward and pulled back and rebuilt, so that it is adapted to the individual disciplines. And there were lots of circus elements. E.g. lots of jump - as a good Arab troupe a team of elite gymnasts can do it. Jump on mat or with springboard. Handspring, somersaults and flip-flop.

Lots of impressive jumping

Double somersaults with pirouette and as far as I could see a triple somersault. And the circus genre acts came as pearls on a string. There was vertical rope, hula-hoop (with 120 hoops), German wheel, skipping rope, chair balancing, a knock-about table act, parterre acrobatics and a living doll.

Hula hoop with 120 hoops!

Chair Balancing

How to skip at the Flying Superkids

And several song soloists. Everything in a colourful stage management with light and fire effects. Occasionally, there were movies with pictures from Superkids traveling around into the big world. And Lars Godbersen (CEO for Flying Superkids) in top form as the one who connected the different elements in the performance where it was necessary. And in the middle of it all a mighty Viking ship that was pulled in to illustrate that the young performers did not neglect their schooling, but took care of it even when they were on tour. Thus, there was visual education in the Viking Age. And you could meet Jimmy Enoch with hair and beard - a terrifying Viking.

Flying Superkids has found a niche that has a large audience. And everything seems so well run and worked through. Click here to read more.

25 June 2019

Ludvika Minicircus 35th anniversary. This year, the Swedish children's and youth circus can celebrate its 35th anniversary. It was created in 1984 by artist couple Ola and Barbro Nordström.

Barbro Nordström writes (my translation):

"Yes, almost exactly 35 years ago, Ludvika Minicircus had his first show in connection with the inauguration of the ABB Hall.

That Ludvika Minicircus - Young Stars became well-known artists who made shows

all over the world, and became prize winners at all major circus festivals, you probably know. Many of our children have become professional artists.

The association now has about 150 young students who for one year have trained to be able to present a great 35 year anniversary show.

Our Young Stars are training every day and during week 27 all of us will have rehearsals for the program.

We have performances 5-6-7 July. Co-organizers are Ludvika Culture & Leisure and Ludvika 100 years.

In week 26 we run our annual summer circus school.”

See more at www.ludvikaminicircus.com

24 June 2019

Accident in Circus Arena. On Friday 22 June, Circus Arena visited Nakskov. The first act after the break was flying trapeze performed by the Flying Wulbers. During one of the troupe’s tricks, the double passage where two leapers are in the air at the same time, the leapers hit each other, and one leaper Patricio Alexis fell into the safety net. Unfortunately he hit one of the bars holding the net. The unfortunate artist was quickly helped out of the ring and taken to the hospital where a gash in the head was sewed. He does not work anymore this weekend, but he expects to be back next week, when he and the rest of The Flying Wulber once again will impress the audience.

While it often happens that a leaper without any harm fall into the net while attempting to make a triple, there is very rare occurrence of an accidents during a double passage.

During the double passage, two leapers are in the air at the same time. First one flies and is caught by the catcher. At the same time as the jump back to the swinging trapeze, the other flies and is caught by the catcher. Next, the trapeze swings back, and leaper number two hangs next to leaper number one on the way back to the bar. It went wrong because the two leapers brushed each other. Photo from Circus Arena’s season opening where the double passage was performer without problems. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

24 June 2019

Small program change in Circus Trapez. Michael Cadima, who has had the part as clown and juggler in this year's performance Yakari and Little Thunder, has for the rest of the season been replaced the German / Russian artist and bounching juggler Ilja Smyslov. Ilja also performs with comedy and juggling in the air.

21 June 2019

Zirkus Barnly 2019. Zirkus Barnly is owned by the actor and comedian Søren Østergaard who also owns the very successful Zirkus Nemo which is a combination of a circus and a comedy show. Zirkus Nemo calls itself Denmark’s only circus for adults. Zirkus Barnly is circus for children.

Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance at ‘Tangkrogen’ in Aarhus on June 19th at 17 and writes (my translation).

Zirkus Nemo has got a little sister. Next to the beautiful Nemo tent a more humble two-pole tent is put up, a tent which certainly has been in use previously.

Zirkus Barnly’s small 2 pole tent. Photo: Lise Kokholm

It's called Zirkus Barnly and the key performer is captain and is called Frodo. He is an indefinable mix of a wizard, artist, barker and oriental snake charmer - and much more. Some of what he does is successful in the first attempt. Others do not succeed at all or get messed up. But with humour and the gift of the gab he gets it turned into a complete success. He is indeterminate, can rattle off, rambling, subtle and first and foremost sympathetic when, with disbelief in his eyes, he tries make the children believe that this is how it is and how it should be - and so has it always been! And we adults is carried away - brought back to the lost childhood and lost faith of the childhood where everything was possible and nothing unlikely.

Captain Frodo welcomed and showed a completely different part of himself than the one known from La Clique, La Soirée and Zirkus Nemo. In Zirkus Barnly he was a very entertaining and talking as a waterfall. Photo: Lise Kokholm

He leads the fun in the 50 min. long performance. And he is well assisted by two female co-players and opponents. Captain Nemo bosses Line Vittrup and Jennie Mikaelsson about. He cannot do without them if he shall prevent the world from collapsing around him. And the multimedia musician Henning Amstrup is present everywhere - with new instruments and happy music.

And one should pay attention to the cascades of words that flow freely and that help to explain what is not successful - and to emphasize the successes that arise during the process. Such is the recommendation: a linguistic waterfall - and linguistic renewal. About the rope trick: "Why cut it when it has to be put together again?" Yes, honestly! About the bear cub Little Ole, a stuffed animal that is conjured up from the sawdust: "It is so stiff of fear that you cannot see that it is alive." on it, for it is invisible egg: "It comes from a hen that has had an imaginary pregnancy."

A large part of the performance consists of Frodo's cozy magic for children with the use of among other things the trick with the rope, cut into 3 pieces. He also got a lot of fun from the invisible egg. He is not a stranger of magic: he is the son of the Norwegian magician The Great Santini. Photo from 2018. Photographer: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

And finally he sets himself up on a pedestal. He does not sit on the barrel, which he has otherwise brought, but on a can - while taking his legs on his neck.

Frodo's famous act with buckets. Photo: Lise Kokholm. Click here to see more of Lise’s photos from this year’s performance

Good entertainment is characterized by the fact that it can create great and accurate expectation (the late Danish author Per Højholt's words). That's how it is here - just like in big sister Nemo. An accomplished, well-thought-out staging, which, however, is not tighter than there is room for improvisations and horny whims. A good example of this was last Wednesday in Nemo, where it was a terrible thunderstorm during the performance. Søren Østergaard had presence of mind enough to comment on the thunderstorm in a manner, so that the uneasiness in the tent passed away. The same was the case in Barnly. It must be a game and in the game you cannot foresee everything, even if the rules are set in advance. And the good artist and juggler is the one who - with a quote by Philip Schumann - shows what needs to happen - in a fraction of a second before it happens.

Great that Zirkus Barnly sticks to popular genuine fair performer and circus culture. For we need it!

14 June 2019

Circusland in Slagelse opens in the summer holidays from 6 July 2019. Circusland is a theme park situated in Circus Arena’s winter quarter in Aarslev, Slagelse. In a press release, park manager Suzanne Berdino writes (my translation):

Take a break from the busy everyday life; get into the whimsical world where you are welcomed by Mister Tik Tak from Esdelot - the fairy-tale world where everything can happen. Suddenly you see Tiger Lilly who ran away from Mister Tik Tak. Or Flora Cake who is in search after Professor Magic, whom she has fallen in love with. Madame Betty is crazy about dogs, and together with little Miss Mynte she try to get control of them. Best as you think you saw them all, a real pirate suddenly appears. Namely Kalle Cannonball, who takes you to the pirate country, where you can meet the sea lions Luna, Sally and Oscar, who are frolicking in Denmark's largest sea lion basin.

Mister Tik Tak and Kalle Cannonball. In civilian life also known as Brian Behrendt from Briano’s Circus Travel. All photos by courtesy of Cirkusland

Throughout the day, you have the opportunity to explore Circusland and get close to all our lovely animals in their stables. We have among other things horses, sea lions, llamas, zebras, pigs, goats and ponies. Come and greet the robot Bumblebee which for the first time can be seen in Denmark, and participate in our new adventure hunt, where you can win a prize.

The robot Bumblebee

All activities and shows are free when the entrance to Circusland is paid. It is possible to buy food and drinks at reasonable prices in the park's bistro. Circusland is open in all kinds of weather, so remember clothes according to the weather as some of the activities take place outdoors.

Every day there is festive parade through Cirkusland - the parade ends with shows the stage. Every afternoon there is also a children's show, a pirate fairy-tale show and an adventurous circus performance with the park's figures.

Do you dream of becoming a juggler, tight wire dancer or diablo juggler? The visit our circus school and learn new tricks with the help of professional circus artists and Berty the clown. The funniest summer school for kids and adults - and learning a few new tricks does not cost extra!

The clown Berty is one of the 3 Balder brothers who years ago worked at appeared as clown trio in e.g. German Circus Barum and Danish Circus Dannebrog.

Every day during the summer holidays, Circus Landino present an adventurous circus performance at 13:30. In the performance you can e.g. meet Professor Magic and Flora Cake who appear with their enchanting pigeons. There are also funny dogs and you can see cute unicorns in the ring. Access to the circus performance is free when the entrance to Circusland is paid.

A number of performers in Circusland

Practical info about Circusland in Slagelse: From 6 July - 11 August. Open every day at. 10-16.

Entrance ticket per person 129 DKK. 25 DKK discount for members of Danish Circus Friends Association. Family entrance ticket 4 persons 476 DKK.  Free entrance for children under 90 cm.

When the entrance fee is paid, all shows, rides, activities and parking are free.

Brian Behrendt, who in Circusland can be experienced seen as Mister Tik Tak and Kalle Kanonball, tells that the name of the fairy-tale country Esdelot is something that Circusland itself has made up with various characters from the fairy-tale and fantasy world. The name may be inspired by the song about the fairy tale land Camelot, where summer lasts from March to September, where it is never too hot and where it never rains until after sunset.

Brian will for the time being not disclose other performers than Berty Balder, Silvana and Claude Biasini and Suzanne Berdino and himself. But there will be more artists.

Circusland is located in Circus Arenas winter quarter in Årslev near Slagelse. Driving directions: If you come off the motorway E 20 turn off at exit 39. Take road 225 towards Jyderup. In Sønderup turn left towards Årslev. Then follow the signs. To the GPS: the address is Aarslevvej 6, 4200 Slagelse.

Be careful: There are 5 Danish villages called Årslev. 3 in Jutland, 1 on Funen and 1 on Zealand. Circusland is situated in the one at Zealand: it is a small village 9 kilometres north of Slagelse.

14 June 2019

The photographer Mr. Sputnik (Per Krogh Petersen) saw Circus Mascot's performance in Gudme on 13 June. Click here to see his photos and video clips from the show.

10 June 2019

Markko Karvo stops at the end of the year. According to the Swedish website www.magiclund.se, the excellent Finnish magician Markko Karvo stops by the end of this year's end with his excellent act with pigeons. For the time being you can see him in Danish Zirkus Nemo where he also was in 2013 and 2015. His first performance in Denmark was in the fall of 1996, when he was at Charley Kaye’s Red Inn Theater in Copenhagen.

From the final in Markko Karvo and Mrs Vanessa's act. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Markko Karvo was born in 1962. He mentions the English magician Johnny Hart as one of his role models. He has performed over most of the world and was among other places 6 years in the famous cabaret Lido in Paris. Click here to see a video with his act.

7 June 2019

Circus Jesper 2019. Norway has 3 circuses: the large Circus Arnardo, the medium-sized Circus Agora and Circus Jesper. The first two are traditional touring tent circuses. Circus Jesper is a stationary circus in Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park.

Sirkus Jesper’s tent. Photo from 2018. Photographer: Lise Kokholm

The approximately on-hour long performances are a theme performance, based on the end of the book When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town where the robber Jesper becomes circus director. Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park writes (my translation):

Jesper is proud as a circus horse over having got his own circus. This year, he invites you to a fun and spectacular circus performance out of the ordinary. Meet the funny clown Bonbon, hairdresser Sorensen with an impressive plate juggling act, the trampoline artist Costin, circus director Jesper with the elephant Mimo (not a real elephant), little Kamomilla and the Lionman. Moreover, it is rumored that Jesper has a plan to get a grumpy aunt to float ...

In Circus Jesper, there are professional circus artists from all around the world in a new and fun mix with famous characters from Cardamom Town. Circus Jesper certainly is for the entire family - let yourself be thrilled too! This is unparalleled circus exprrience!

Danish Lasse "Bonbon" Nørager, who is a creative producer of the performance, says that the performers in this year's performance are

Joakim (Comic)

Bonbon & Tiina badminton, turtle etc.

Bonbon & Tiina badminton. Bonbon turtles. All photos: Lasse Nørager

Nelma Pietela foot juggler from Finland in the part as Columbine

Lajos Nagy (Nereus) plate juggler in the part as of hairdresser Sorensen

Julia & Joakim juggling

Julia and Joakim with their juggling act. They are daughter and son of Lasse Nørager and Mrs Tiina.

Costin Bellu trampoline

Costin Bellu on trampoline. The Swedes met him in Circus Maximum in 2013 and the Danes in Circus Benneweis in 2015.

Hairdresser Sorensen's miraculous hair cure, demonstrated by Julia (hair-hanging)

Piano virtuoso Kamomilla

Auntie Sofie (floating!)

(the robber) Jesper, circus director!

In the ensemble in various roles also Finnish Maria Jernström, Angelika Varga and Danish Freddi Steckel.

Director: Jostein Kirkeby-Garstad. Choreographer: Sindre Postholm. Lighting design: Bjørnar Skutleberg and Joakim Foldøy. Technical: Vegard Skretting and Mathias Gunnulfsen. Sound design: Lasse Nørager and Vegard Skretting. Music organizer: Nikolai Bøgelund. Music production: Lasse Nørager, All of Music (DK). Circus equipment: TL Production

The performance can be seem:

* June: 15 and 16 June. June 17-21: private performances. June 22 - June 31: Tuesday - Sunday.

* July: All days Tuesday - Sunday.

* August: 1st - 4th August.

* Performance start every day at  17.30

If you are on facebook: click here to see some of Lise Kokholm’s photos from Sirkus Jesper 2018.

4 June 2019

Circus on Gottland. The small zoo Stenkyrka Djurpark - B&M Gården, located on the northern part of the Swedish island Gottland, is from 14 June to 25 August visited by a small circus called Lattjo Lajban. The park promises "A entertaining show with people and their best friends the dog". B&M stands for Bongani & Malin, who bought the farm in 2010 with a dream of creating a zoo. The small circus has earlier toured in Germany under the name Cirkus Lattjo Lajban from Sweden. It is as far as I know owned by Anton Frank's daughter and son-in-law. Anton Frank was chief animal trainer in the Swedish Circus Maximum, who has not toured since 2017. - Lattjo Lajban was a children's program in Swedish TV4.

3 June 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- always a very lively theatre life, a tradition since MOLIERE / 17th century/, now: THEATRE DE L'ATELIER proudly presents MADEMOISELLE JULIE (Miss Julie) by AUGUST STRINDBERG /1849-1912/, famous Swedish author. Other Scandinavian authors, IBSEN, Norway, H.C. ANDERSEN, Denmark, are fairly often represented on the Parisian stages.

Usually I comment on visual shows only, but this play has a strong visual impact, that is what motivates me.

MADEMOISELLE JULIE is set on Midsummer's Eve on the estate of a count in Sweden. The young woman of the title is drawn to a senior servant, a valet named Jean. The action takes place in the kitchen of Miss Julie's father's manor, where Jean's fiancée, a servant named Christine, cooks and sometimes sleeps. On this night the relationship between Miss Julie and Jean escalates rapidly to feelings of love and is subsequently consummated.

There have been several screen versions of the play.

At the very first performance,  it was met with an outcry of disrespect and disgust, it was seen as immoral and  was, for a certain time, hit by interdiction.

MADEMOISELLE JULIE respects "the three units" i.e. time, place and action and remains of interest even today, a battle between the social classes and for the position of women in our society!

The stage setting gives us a real idea of that time, end of the 19th century, the costumes likewise, and the spectators are thrilled by the dramatic action, performed in the translation by TERJE SINDING, the stage scenery conceived by JULIE BROCHEN.

The actors: ANNA MOUGLALIS, XAVIER LEGRAND, JULIE BROCHEN  are quite convincing in their interpretation - you leave the theatre having seen a masterly performance of a master piece!

The three actors. Photo copyright Franck Beloncle, by courtesy  of Dominique Racle Consultants

The performance can be seen until 30 June.

See more: www.theatre-atelier.com

Venue: Theatre de l'Atelier, Place Charles Dullin, 75018, Paris. Metro: Pigalle or ANVERS.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

27 May 2019

News from GLiMT. The Danish performing arts and contemporary circus company GLiMT writes: "We look forward to busy and exciting summer - in fact, this will be one of our busiest summer ever!"

Among the summer's performances are:

On the 24th April, GLiMT travelled to Sandefjord in Norway, for the annual Market for Performing Arts – Markedet for Scenekunst I Sandefjord– specialized in performing arts for children and youths. They presented their show “Sisyphus Ascending” as part of the 30 other performances displayed during the 3 days of this showcase.

GLiMT presented its performance “Dance with me” in May 2019 at the Dance Pavilion by Karens Minde Kulturhus in Copenhagen’s South Harbour, on the occasion of the next edition of CPH STAGE, the biggest theatre festival in Copenhagen.

On the 14 June GLiMT will travel to Kaunas in Lithuania in order to present its now famous performance “Sisyphus Ascending” on the occasion of the circus festival CIRKULIACIJA.

This summer, 60 children from 8 to 12 years old of the primary school Østerbro Lilleskole will create a site-specific performance around the theme “Colonization”, guided and directed by artists from GLiMT. They will be introduced to circus and physical theatre disciplines by 3 professional performers, with whom they will also get to learn the basis of creation process. Finally in two intense working weeks, they will create their own site specific performance, which will be presented by the end of June.

On the 23 June, the performance “opHAV” will play in Ebeltoft, Denmark, at the site of the impressive old ship “Fregatten Jylland” in the harbour. It will be a part of the annual celebration of Sankt Hans, and be followed by a huge bonfire for the city. “opHAV” premiered last year and toured in waterfront cities all over Denmark and Sweden, and this year will be an updated version of the performance with a slightly changed cast.

From 7 - 10 August, the Denmark’s second largest music festival Smukfest takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Skanderborg. This year, GLiMT will create a theatrical universe on "Never Land", close to the festival centre, where the festival guests can sail over to enjoy a different experience, away from music and crowds. GLiMT writes: “We lead the guests into a path to a relaxation area, through a portal to a different reality. We change the forest with sculptures and installations used by acrobats and performers, and we change the way the festival guests experience the forest and allow them to give their tired heads and bodies peace. The performance takes place over 5 hours every day, and is an immersive installation performance where every audience visiting the island gets a different experience.”

27 May 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS - cultural events, minor and major:

CIRQUE GONTELLI is doubtless an important element, in spite of its small size, sporting a SMALL TOP, seating about a hundred persons, often a full house.

SERGE GONTELLI, born in an old Italian circus family, manages this circus together with wife FABIOLA and the children:

CHRISTIAN /juggler, circus cowboy, clown and acrobat/ 

MARY /acrobat with and without hula-hoop, performer with soap bubbles, clown/,

CLINTON, the youngest one who is being trained as an all-round circus artist.

Christian as juggler. All photos by courtesy of Cirque Gontelli

OPHELIE, a promising tight rope walker and trapeze performer has married and left the circus.

SERGE has put in his excellent antipodean/footjuggling act that would easily qualify in any bigger circus, he also presents a MAGIC ACT where the kids may pat the magically produced rabbits - great success!!

FABIOLA acts as RINGMASTER and takes part with SERGE in the clown sequence that closes the show.

As a new feature 2019, MARY performs an act with small and big SOAP BUBBLES it is elegant and poetic and requires the interaction by several kids.

Mary has ‘caught’ a child in a soap bubble

This show that is geared to the small fry, 2 - 6, does also include another novelty:  the well-known TV stunt LA PAT PATROUILLE (Paw Patrol) enters the ring to the delight of the children - imagine to be allowed to shake hands with a famous TV star who otherwise is out of reach behind his screen!

The performers with one of the cats from Paw Patrol

CIRQUE GONTELLI is second to none, i.e. in entertainment for the smallest ones, the only competition would be the PUNCH AND JUDY shows.

CIRQUE GONTELLI is a unique cultural event, presenting a challenge to all kinds of electronic entertainment, thus a healthy and human alternative to a world of robots.

Click here to see at video clip from the performance

Venues: consult L'OFFICEL DES SPECTACLES, in all newspaper stalls, playing in Paris,  MAY thru NOV, playing in MARSEILLE, DEC thru APRIL, the winter weather being milder.

See more: www.les-gontellis.e-monsite.com

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

 24 May 2019

Cirque Éloize in Aarhus. The world-renowned Canadian Cirque Éloize visits 24 and 25 May Aarhus Music Hall with their new show SALOON. The show is a wonderful mix of dancing, acrobatics and theatre and is based on the tales from the Wild West of America.

The visit is part of Aarhus' international theater festival ILT.

The producers write:

When you walk in the saloon doors, you will be met by a show that will amaze, entertain and excite you to the wonderful sound of folk music. A mythical world will appear before your eyes in a high pace filled with spectacular performances by the talented Cirque Éloizes ensemble.

Click here to see a video clip from the show.

24 May  2019

Circus from the Nordic Sea. Saturday 25 May at 19:00 and Sunday 26 May at 14:00 you can see a new contemporary circus performance called Circus from the Nordic Sea in Odense at Estlandskajen behind the skate park. Free admission.

DYNAMO Workspace has produced the performance in co-operation the Swedish contemporary circus company Spinning Circus Performance. They write:

The wooden sailboat Johanne has sailed thousands of nautical miles from the North Sea through insidious Skagerrak, to the open Baltic Sea. Her hull has experienced madness and scurvy, and in the cover of the night, her crew has conspired, been drinking and taught themselves new tricks!

In strong gale the heroes of the sea fog stand weathered, raw and ready with a wild and beautiful circus-show! A mad and ingenious balancing act about life aboard, and the world on land.

With neck-breaking acrobatics from the mast, handstand in the wind, and precision second to none in everything that takes place, the crew of artists and musicians demonstrates what happens when the line of command disappears, and creative anarchy breaks free! CIRCUS FROM THE NORDIC SEA is an impressive and seductive circus-show with a duration of approximately 50 minutes with live music by Swedish electronica-artist Jenny Nilsson and is recommended for all ages.

CIRCUS FROM THE NORDIC SEA is the 2nd in line of DYNAMO's co-productions made with the support from the Danish Arts Foundation.

Cast: Andrea Hilario, Johannes Starke, Matthew Horton and Rebecca Seward. Live music by: Jenny Nilsson. Producers: Spinning Circus Performance og DYNAMO Workspace

The show is created with financial support from: the Municipality of Odense, the Danish Arts Foundation, Odense Havnekulturfestival, The Swedish Arts Council and the Region of Skåne.

The performance takes place on the old 18 meter long sailboat Johanne and at the quay in front of the ship. It is the plan that the performance after Odense will be on tour to other Danish harbors.

DYNAMO is a workspace for circus and performing arts located in the middle of Denmark at Odense city harbor. Dynamo facilitates the framework for artistic work in progress, development of ideas, residencies, and courses in master classes/open training.

DYNAMO is an important force for the development of the cultural life of Odense, primarily for contemporary circus and performing arts. Odense is Denmark’s third largest city with a populations of 170,000.

17 May 2019

"Hot air - action now" requires the politician on this poster for the upcoming general election in Denmark. "Don't worry - we're on our way" Circus Arli calms down. - The election posters have in some places given problems for circuses as the politicians to get room for their own posters have pushed circus posters up to such a height that they cannot be removed using a regular ladder.

16 May 2019

Grand Circus Hotel in Malmö, Sweden. A new hotel, or perhaps rather a youth hostel, has opened at a former railway depot in Malmö. They advertise that you can spend the night in a circus wagon. The hotel is called Grand Circus Hotel and the address is Södra Bulltoftavägen 51, Malmö. On the website www.grandcircushotel.com the hotel is presented as:

On a disused railway lot in Malmö, we’ve created a hotel consisting of circus wagons. Each wagon is one room, and all twelve rooms are decorated in different themes; the Clown’s Wagon, the Manager’s Wagon, the Magician’s Wagon, and so on.

There is a built-in kitchen and bathroom in some of the wagons, and shared ones for others. Our facilities include a shared kitchen, a house with showers and lavatories, and a reception with a minimarket.

All the rooms come with two bikes, free to use during your stay. Additional bikes are available to rent. The hotel also has ten spaces for guest caravans, with access to electricity.

Nearby, there is a street food truck, a supermarket, pizzerias, laundry etc. The city centre can be reached by bus, train or a fifteen minute bike ride.

Welcome to Malmö’s most spectacular accommodation!

The prices for an overnight stay are between 800 and 2,100 SEK (bases on current exchange rate from 75 Euro to 195 Euro)

14 May 2019

Small program change at Circus Arena. The Cheban troupe is not any longer part of this year's performance. That's not a big loss - in his 5-star review of the performance, Rud Kofoed wrote (my translation): "The weakest act in the performance is probably Cheban with their Russian swing and the jump on inflated giant hoses from landing wheels ..."

For the rest of the season, the Cheban troupe is replaced by the Alexander troupe with springboard. Undoubtedly a good bargain.

Five men high - the Romanian Alexander troupe in Swedish Circus Maximum in 2014. The year before they were at Cirkus Merano in Norway. Now you can meet them in Circus Arena. Jørgen Lorenzen writes that they are excellent. Click here to watch a video clip with the troupe.

"A classic and fast-paced act with human pyramids to both four and five men high", Tobias Schött wrote about the Alexander troupe when they performed at Maximum in 2014. Photo: Tobias Schött

13 May 2019

Children in the ring are the title of a project that Cirkus Baldoni has been successful with since they launched it in 2017. It is cooperation between Circus Baldoni and schools which get a project to work with, which ends in a private performance with a combination of the school children and Baldoni's artists. For that performance, the children help to sell tickets to family and friends, who of course want to see their children and grandchildren’s act. Circus Baldoni put up their tent and equipment near the school, and they come with all their artists and popcorn machines etc. which belong to a circus. On the performance day  the children come to Circus Baldoni in the morning, where they, together with Baldoni's staff go through the acts with music, light and the practical issues such as taking props in and out, so that everything is ready when the children later in the day perform for parents, siblings , family and friends.

Circus Baldoni's tent forms the framework for a number of private performances, where both school children and Baldoni's artists are in the ring

"It has been a huge motivation for the children to perform in a real circus tent in front of a real audience," says a teacher from Høsterkøb School to Frederiksborg County's newspaper. The school has just had such a project, where 90 children from the school were actively involved in the circus's performance at the playing field in Høsterkøb. "We have had children, who from the beginning would not be involved, but who then have thrown themselves into it and found the joy of being really good at something," another teacher tells the newspaper.

8 May 2019

The Circus Farm 2019. There is premiere at the 2019 performance at Katja Schumann's Circus Farm in Løkken on Sunday 11 May at 16. At the Circus Farm horses and animals are the focus. The animals are presented in the theme "play - learn - masters".

From May 11 to June 23 there is a performance every Saturday and Sunday at 16. In the holiday weeks 26 - 32 there is a performance every day except Monday at 16

The address is Cirkusgaarden, Vrenstedvej 287, 9480 Løkken.

From the 2018 show

Løkken is a holiday resort in the in the northern part of Jutland. Katja Schumann bought the 21,000 m2 large former farm in 2014. At that time the property looked like it was waiting for a bulldozer. But since Katja and her friend Luffe Bøgh have worked hard to put the ramshackle property in order and to create a circus farm focusing on animals as well as a circus museum focusing on the Schumann family. The last goal has not yet been completed, but Katja and Luffe have certainly created a circus farm and an environment worth a visit. And they are also working to get the museum established.

7 May 2019

Ban against circus elephants postponed due to a forthcoming general election.

The Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has called for a general election to be held on 5 June 2019.

Elections for the Danish Parliament take place at least every four years, but a prime minister can call an election at any time. The last general election was on 18 June 2015.

When a general election is called for all bills which not yet have passed by parliament are withdrawn. And as a proposal for animal welfare bill with ban against circus elephants wasn’t passed by the Parliament before the call for general election the proposal is withdrawn.

A large majority in the Danish Parliament are in favour of a ban against circus elephants. But there were elements regarding regulation of the agriculture sector in the proposed animal welfare bill which was more controversial.

After the general election the next ordinary session in the Danish Parliament will not start until October. At that time it is likely that a revised animal welfare bill will be presented to Parliament and can pass through parliament in December.

Conclusion: It is still allowed to present elephants, sea lions and zebras in Danish circuses. As for other wild animals such as big cats there has been a ban since 1963.

The two circuses which have elephants – Circus Arena has three and Circus Trapez one - have however chosen to leave the elephants in their winter quarters this year. They know that a ban is coming and seem more interested in getting financial compensation for the elephants than in letting them perform.

6 May 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  forever and ever -- a lot of visual shows that are thrilling, interesting and hilarious -- now THÉÂTRE ALAMBIC COMÉDIE proudly presents a family show based on magical effects and surprises.

THÉÂTRE ALAMBIC COMÉDIE is a rather small theater, nicely refurbished and sporting a middle-seized stage, an elegant curtain and a good sound-and-light-system, everything that happens on stage is clearly seen.

THE ACTOR MAGIC ENTERTAINER, OWAN NEMO calls his show "ET TOUT CELA POUR DES CHAMPIGNONS", free translation: "OUT IN THE FOREST TO PICK MUSHROOMS", a trip creating plenty of funny incidents, original as well as pleasant.

The small fry responds readily, some of them are invited up on stage, there is thus plenty of interaction, all of them are active.

Points of interest:  the French and particularly Parisian tradition of going to the theatre is alive and kicking, one goes to the circus and the theater, and this since MOLIERE produced his plays, the children experience that funny and pleasant stories can be produced without electronics -  LIVE ENTERTAINMENT has advantages!!

Absolutely worth seeing for both kids and parents!!

Photo by courtesy of Owan Nemo. Click here to see a video clip from the performance.

See more: www.owan-nemo.fr och https://www.alambic-comedie.com/

Venue: THÉÂTRE ALAMBIC COMÉDIE, 12 rue Neuve de la Chardonniere, 75018 Paris. Metro: SIMPLON.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

2 May 2019

Circus Mascot. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Stevnstrup on May 1st at 17 and writes (my translation):

Circus is both tradition and innovation. Tradition, because the audience want to have the joy of recognition. It must be as it has always been. But if at the same time there isn’t innovation - sometimes imperceptible - it feels stiff and irrelevant. The circus has to accommodate both.

Circus Mascot holds on to the traditions - quite literally. It is the two artist families Deleuran and Gulyamov who are responsible for most of the performance. Just like last year. And there are two new artists, two brothers from Ethiopia. They replace the two Polish artists who starred last year. And this year the performance has been titled: circus goes crazy.

But: both the Gulyamov family (father, mother, daughter and son) and the Deleuran family (Marianne and her son Daniel) surprise with completely new acts. Everything feels fresh, new and rejuvenated. And then the performance takes place in a tight and fast pace. It always strengthens the attraction.

The clown Gulio (Ulmas Gulyamov) is getting better and better. Every year, his entrées are brand new - and are a celebration of whim, creepy ideas and ridiculous, technical inventions. And he uses many lines - are periodically a speaking clown. But one proof of his abilities, for example, you get when he flings an enlarged bath ball to the audience. Many clowns do that, but Gulio makes it so subtle that the whole tent is full of joy and laughter – pure fun and games. Everyone is involved - everyone feels delighted. Only the good clown can act like this. And another original entrée: the clown comes up against a human-sized teeth in a giant mouth that can walk by its own power. It is then Gulio's job to make sure that the giant mouth’s teeth are brushed. Not an easy tasks, because the giant mouth both can walk around, responds and bite.

Gulio with toothbrush. All photos: Daniel Deleuran, Circus Mascot

And this year he has constructed an applause-board to measure the strength of the audience's applause. He does so, and the applause becomes so great that the machine explodes.

With his daughter Juliya, he has a priceless, funny entrée. It begins as the classic spaghetti entre, where the clown must serve for a restaurant guest. Here it goes completely grassy when the guest is served rat soup. Rat Soup! Who get such an idea? In the beginning, the soup floats with dead rats (of clothing), but soon the ring is swarming with rats. It's screamingly funny.

Juliya and Gulio will serve rat soup

Mrs. Gulyamov, who has kept her surname Primachenko, we have seen before - in a tissue act. This year she is still an aerial artist, but now in the vertical rope. And she does that superbly. with fast pirouettes while hanging in a foot, in an arm and in the neck. Strength, beauty and superb command of prop and body.

Tetyana Primachenko

Their son Husik appears in a costume that reminds one of an astronaut. Or is it a knight? He juggles with diabolos and makes it safe and convincing

Husik with diabolos

There at lots of animals in the performance. For circus and animals belong together. You've seen Marianne's dog show before? But no, it feels fresh and new. Among other things because it starts with the dog Bobby which can do sums and this year also has learned to play piano. It does so - eagerly encouraged by Marianne's dog biscuits when it hits the right keys. And there are many other animals: ponies, the pigs Yrsa and Sille (presented by Marianne in a smart young girl outfit), goats, a goose, during the interval a donkey - and as mentioned rats.

Marianne Deleuran and Sille

The two African artists appear in costumes that do not look like the classic European costume. It seems like a colourful sportswear and it is probably an Ethiopian dress. They start the show with a hat juggling and they end it with a fine Risley act.

Abebe and Dessta with a Risley act i.e. foot-juggling with a partner while lying back on a trinka

In short: it's new, but it's classic. It's fast-paced and humour-filled mood-filled without being hurried. It's true circus. What the full house tent also acknowledged with warm applause. No one got tired. But many wished it would continue. That's what it does - next year! So just go crazy again next year.

29 April 2019

THE ILLUSIONISTS -- a splendid magic show has performed in COPENHAGEN. It is difficult to sell tickets to a magic show in Denmark. A producer had rented Royal Arena, trying the risky business, proudly presenting 3 shows, sporting prices of DDK 470 -  770 (equivalent to from 60 to 105 Euro) resulting in an less than half full arena offering 7,500 seats, dates 26 and 27 of April , 2019.

THE ILLUSIONISTS SHOW initiated on Broadway, but is now touring the world, visiting 19 European cities, ending its European tour in London, at the Shaftesbury Theater, July 06 thru September 01.

One other unity is currently touring the US.

The cast is subject to changes: several acrobats performed amazing stunts in between the very acts, they were marvellous before leaving the stage to Luis De Matos, and Danish TV speaker Anders Breinholt as MC /master of ceremonies/.

The cast: escapologist Andrew Basso featuring the Houdini Water Torture Cell, being immerged in a kind of milk container, shackled and head down, but nevertheless free in less than three minutes.

Kevin James sporting a person sawed in halves and Snowstorm in China; all kids up to the age of seven were encouraged to get up on stage...

Sos and Victoria, elegant quick change of costumes.

Yu Ho-Jin, card and coin manipulations, seen on giant screen.

James More, featured several illusions, as did also Enzo Weyne.

Luis De Matos, an impressive prediction stunt, having the audience completely stunned.

The editor of www.circus-dk.dk, Ole Simonsen and his son Lars as well as his grand-child Sebastian were enthralled and ready to see the show a second time.

However, as mentioned the ticket sale was disappointing is seems doubtful if the show another time will visit Copenhagen.

See more at www.theillusionistslive.com

--------------------------

Translated from DANISH by ZARRO ZARRO.

27 April 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --   LA SCALA has been refurbished and welcomes the audience!!

History: LA SCALA was once a theater having a good reputation, welcoming a numerous audience, unfortunately it went bust and remained a ruin for years.

Since  OCTOBER 2018 it has been rebuilt, totally refurbished and offers a rich and changing production -  LA SCALA is located in a rather international district and is really one of the central parts of  Paris, a great tourist attraction sporting theater plays and visual shows.

The interior is beautifully decorated, all in blue; it offers a comfortable suit of seats, all on different levels, making a good view of the stage possible, and a friendly welcome desk.

LA SCALA proudly continues the theater tradition from MOLIERE:  TRISSOTIN OU LES FEMMES SAVANTES /TRISSOTIN OR THE KNOWLEDGEABLE WOMEN/, written in 1672, stage setting by MACHA MAKEIEFF, treats an issue that is super actual today, viz. the emancipation and rights of all women.

All photos by courtesy of Dominique Racle Consultants

Decoration and costumes by  MACHA MAKEIEFF, a team of 12  actors feature the play to fight for the women's right to find their place within all the structures of our society, and this is performed in a dynamic as well as comical way -  all that make men doubtful, insecure and often unhappy !!

The play is featured in French, but - knowing the topic and closely following all the visual stunts, - it is possible to follow - there are translations at your bookshop, if needed.

LA SCALA sports a restaurant and a bar connected to the theater.

A great performance in PARIS. Last performance on May 10th.

See more: www.lascala-paris.com

Venue:  13 Boulevard de STRASBOURG, 75010 Paris. Metro:  STRASBOURG SAINT DENIS.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

24 April 2019

Circus theatre in Circus Trapez. Circus Trapez is this year market as “Yakari - Indian Horse Show”. The performance is just like in the Danish Circus Theater, which in 2002 was changed to a circus under the name Baldoni, a children's theater performance with inserted artist acts.

Circus owners Isabella Enoch Sosman and Bernhard Kaselowsky are this year trying their luck with an Indian horse show rather than with a traditional circus performance. We can hope that it attracts a larger audience than Circus Trapez’ past performances has done. Photo: Ole Simonsen

This year's performance is based on story about the Indian boy Yakari, who is in search of the golden tree which leaves can give the chief his wisdom and magical powers back. Yakari is a comic strip / cartoon film character, which the children in Denmark know from DR television channel Ramasjang, which is DR's channel for 3-6 year old kids. The target group for this year's Trapez performance is parents and grandparents with children up to 7 - 8 years.

The part as Yakari is played by a 12-year-old girl Nynne Hulsig Samuelsen. She got her circus interest during a circus summer camp at Einar Trie’s Circus Factory. In the winter holidays this year she was part of Isabella Enoch's performances in some Jutland and Funen arenas. In this summer’s Trapez performance, however, her part is more as children's actor than as artist. It is probably necessary to get the authorities' permission to have an only 12-year-old girl on tour. And it certainly looks as if Nynne is enjoying her part.

Yakari aka Nynne Hulsig Samuelsen. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The story about Yakari's search for the tree is a bit “thin” and largely based on Indian tableaus combined with artist or animal acts. All artists are wearing Indian suits. Artistically, the 3 Saabel daughters Alexandra, Kelly and Jennifer are the mainstay of the performance. The Danes know the Saabel family from Circus Benneweis 2011 and Circus Dannebrog 2013. At that time Alexandra did a nice handstand act. And together with her parents Tiziana and Bernhard, she rode elegantly high school and presented the family's well-known act with Siberian husky dogs. Today, the family has dropped the horses, but still travels around with the dog act and the daughters' acrobatic acts.

In this year's performance, the now 30-year-old Alexandra has handed over the handstand act to her little sister Kelly. When I saw the performance on Easter Sunday, Alexandra played the part as Yakari's mother, appeared in tissue and presented a big and little  horse act. However, the division of parts in the performance is not entirely in place, partly because a work permit for a Cuban artist is delayed.

In addition to being an artist, Alexandra has got a career as a costume designer.

The performance was initiated with a tableau with an Indian camp, where the youngest member of the Saabel family Jennifer did foot juggling with scarves and Alexandra appeared in tissue.

In the first tableau we met Jennifer Saabel as foot juggler and her elder sister Alexandra in tissue. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Next Yakari entered the ring with the pony Thunder, and it turned out that the Indian chief, played by Bernhard Kaselowsky, had lost his wisdom and magical powers which he could only get back if they found the golden tree.

Then Alexandra presented a classic big and little act - a Frisian horse and a pony. We were in the beginning of the season so you could feel that the horses were trained by Bernhard Kaselowky and not by Alexandra. But she will undoubtedly learn it in a few weeks. And she is much prettier than the not quite young Bernhard!

Not at least smaller children love the entrée with a big and a little horse, here presented by Alexandra Saabel. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The clown in the performance is the young Michael Cadima. To fit into the story he is like the other performers dressed up as Indian and has no makeup, and his entrées are few and relatively short. In the first, a gentleman from the audience was allowed to dance limbo after Yakari and Michael had done so. Even blindfolded - and of course the limb was removed. The entrée is seen before, but most often with a skipping rope.

A tableau with canoes ended with Kelly Saabel's handstands / contortion act. Her final trick is when she while standing on her hands with her feet are firing a bow so the arrow hits a balloon, see photo. Impressive!

Kelly Saabel as an archer. Photo: Ole Simonsen

The clown gag with the shark in the bathtub is an old acquaintance. The best version is probably with the Swiss clown André Broger. Michael Cadima also used the entrée and his version was neither worse nor better than Jimmy Folco’s in Circus Arena. Some smaller children found the shark music a little scary.

Jennifer Saabel and Yakari then presented Bernhard Kaselowsky's Welsh goats, which look great but cannot do much. Next act was an entrée with Bernhard Kaselowsky riding a horse, Kelly Saabel in aerial ring and Alexandra as the one who stood with the whip in the centre of the ring.

Next tableau featured Michael Cadimi as a juggler (not a clown edition). Also Yakari juggled with 3 balls. Then followed the Saabel family's elegant dog act where mama Titiane assisted her daughters.

The Saabel family dogs. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Most people know the clown gag where the clown want to have the audience clapping. Michael Cadimini did it in a quite charming version, where he used a drum instead of clapping his hands.

After a brief intermezzo with juggling with large rings, Bernhard Kaselosky's 4 Frisian hoses entered the ring.

Bernhard Kaselowsky and his four Frisian horses. Photo: Ole Simonsen

It was the last act before you brought in the golden tree, and the adventure could get a happy ending.

The final with the golden tree. Photo: Mr. Sputnik (Per Krogh Petersen). Click here to see more of his photos and video clip from the show.

It has to be seen see if there during the summer is more interest in an Indian horse show than for a classic circus show. Isabella hopes that this is the case, so she next year can welcome to a new Yakari performance.

21 April 2019

Zirkus Nemo 2019. Zirkus Nemo is a combination of circus and a comedy show. The comedy gags are performer by the owner Søren Østergaard who plays a lot of different parts in the performance. The acrobats in the show are always top class artists. 

Rud Kofoed saw the performance at the premiere in Horsens on 18 April. He gives the performance 6 stars and writes (my translation):

Congratulations to Zirkus Nemo, which for 20 years has added to the Danish zirkus world an originality that has been worth waiting for.

The actor, comedian, the juggler, the knight of the Dannebrog, the artist, the clown and the circus director Søren Østergaard forgot to celebrate the anniversary last year, but in return does it this year with a six-star performance.

20 YEARS MADNESS THAT HAVE CHANGED THE CIRCUS WORLD

It is in the Zirkus Nemo’s ring that nothing becomes anything. It happens with an originality that remains so surprising that one has to lie down and breathe: - I have never seen anything like this!

Now it happens for the 21st time. It must be celebrated with a bang - and it becomes so emphatically that it must be advised Zirkus director Zøren Østergaard to tighten his guy ropes twice to avoid the tent suddenly being blown away by the audience’s enthusiasm!

All photos: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

It was a strong performance that last year which grew from five to six stars during the season. Here, the anniversary performance starts with a direct course towards an extension of the star system by being, if possible, even better and even more in its quirky disharmonious structure with Zøren Østergaard's personal gallery in the middle of a handful of star artists of a quality caliber, each standing as a superb top act. It's just too crazy.

This year's head act is literally said Duo Kvas. It is their neck vertebrae that you can almost hear the crunch when the two Ukrainians Vladimir Kostenko and Anton Savchenko present their absolutely incredible acrobatic strength. There is a more than usual good head on Vladimir, because not only can manage that Anton stands on his own head on top of it, but at the same time Vladimir can go to his knees and up again. The power demonstration is world class.

Duo Kvas - a power demonstration from Ukraine. All photos: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

That is Kim Tim (one of Søren Østergaards many parts) too - at least in his own greasy and seductive eyes. He preserves to some extend the gentleman style. This is somewhat more difficult for German ventriloquist Ernst Ditmar Bruchendorff Jr (another of Søren Østergaards parts)

The climacteric hit Marianne's energetic anniversary sweat in the left armpit should not be bypassed. Again, one of Søren’s parts. Well, she does not have rats in the belfry, but she has two who come flying into the ring after surviving the last season's rat race. The fact that you can train rats these years with a ban on wild animals in circuses life is in itself surprising, but at Nemo they can do it. It hardly lasts long before we see the first rat walk on hands in the ring. The animal trainer Ingo Stiebner has done such before with sea lions. Now the rats - almost - can do the same!

Marianne and a rat after the animal trainer Ingo Stiebner has taught the rat all his tricks from his time with the sea lions ...

The Zirkus director has a new part to offer: Ove Rudolf. He reveals how he unobtrusively smuggled his huge toaster as cabin baggage on the charter flight!

The Anniversary Surprise: The Zirkus Director as the sausage Ove Rudolf 

Zøren Østergaards good friend the Norwegian-born Las Vegas star Captain Frodo, is back with his external fight with tennis rackets, which in 2016 triggered The Danish Cicus Award for "Best act of the Year". The fact that nature has equipped him with a loose-jointed rubber body and an embracing confetti-enchanting charm makes him a very unusual phenomenon that one would defeat could be suitable for entertaining children, but he does so with as much success as in Nemo's Zirkus for Adults. Caroline Wozniacki certainly has a lot to learn about how to treat her best racket!

Captain Frodo could teach Caroline Wozniacki a lot about the tennis racket's secrets ...

The season's most prestigious magic act is presented by the Finnish couple Marko & Vanessa Karvo. The fact that Søren Østergaard succeeded in getting those world-class artists to Nemo is impressive because they do not belong to those who just have many birds on the roof. They also have them in their hands - and in the air over the head of the audience, being "awakened" the stroke of the wings of a large, colourful parrot. Cockatoos and other pigeons fly out of it just nothing when the bird king and the lady bewitch us.

The elegant, mysterious Finnish bird king Marko Karvo makes his magic entrée

Now, of course, we are not too wise either. We are told so by the smash man (another of Søren Østergaards parts). "Have you never seen yourself in the mirror, for the hell??!!! He was not particularly impressed with the anniversary dress. He actually vomited on his own underwear.

The lady who gets sawn in half with a loose hand in the middle of the nightmare ... for the shabby man is nothing sacred

After all that crudeness Menno & Emily van Dyke danced romantically into their great love adventure - the immortal meeting between the juggler and the ballerina, who ends up being for life. The Dutch Menno van Dyke and the French Emily Weisse are an aesthetic pleasure taking clubs and making a wild dance in a different way than the one we know from TV.

Menno and Emily - the romantic meeting between the juggler and the ballerina ...

Throughout the magnificent show, several eye-catching anniversary gifts are sprinkled. This is due to Tatiana & Hector. Behind the names hides the internationally renowned Duo Solys, who last year received the Danish Circus Award for "Best act of the Year" for their characterful acrobatic handstand act.

It now continues in a completely different style - as members of the Zirkus family.

In this gag the Cuban Hector Yzquierdo changes sex for a while. Click here to see more photos from the performance

18 April 2019

Obituary: Marta Carbayo, also known as Cantaclown, passed away Maundy Thursday in the morning after some time of illness. Marta Carbayo was born in Spain and has since 1992 lived by getting adult people guffaw. Living in Aarhus, Denmark she travelled all over Denmark and Europe to spread laughter and joy. She communicated without words from heart to heart and created a universe where everything could happen. Her amazing mime and sublime timing made her an eminent clown and one of the few female clowns.

Surviving relatives is her spouse the artist and juggler Jon Skjerning-Rasmussen and their 2 sons Felix and Sylvester.

Marta Carbayo at the clown festival at ’Bakken’ in 2006

17 April 2019

Stolen motorcycles. Cirkus Arena has since Saturday put up their tent at ‘Tangkrogen’ in Aarhus. The night between Monday and Tuesday there was burglary at the lot, where the six yellow Suzuki motocross motorcycles of 125 ccm that Diorios use in their globe of death was stolen. Later Tuesday, 3 of the motorcycles were found. On Wednesday, Circus Arena managed to get hold of three motorcycles similar to the stolen ones from a dealer in Horsens. Thus Wednesday's performance could be carried out with the usual five riders in the globe of death. The media coverage of the theft has hardly damaged the ticket sales! Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

15 April 2019

Small Danish Circus Krone takes a break from the summer tour in 2019.

Director Frank Thierry writes: (my translation)

After careful considerations I have, together with my family, decided that not to take Circus Krone on a summer tour 2019.

This is because I, Frank Thierry, have undergone a longer course of disease with cancer. I have been through an operation that fortunately went well and I am currently declared healthy. But not without temporary injuries so I need time to recover, which we have chosen to prioritize very high.

All of our other activities such as workshops, stand-alone events, productions, tent rental and the like continue as before. Therefore, you are still very welcome to contact us.

It does not mean that Circus Krone closes, on the contrary. We have just successfully completed our annual Winter Circus in the Aarhus Music Hall.

It just means that you have to wait for the summer tour, as you know it, until next year.

We already have a number of workshops, tent rentals and single events on the program in 2019, which we look forward to fulfil.

Circus Krone returns fit for fight with a summer tour 2020!

Loving greetings from the whole family in Circus Krone

15 April 2019

World Circus Day 2019. On Saturday 13 April, Danske Circus Friends Association for the 10^th year in row took the initiative to celebrate World Circus Day in Denmark. Again this year in co-operation the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, and Cirkus Baldoni. In addition to the possibility of museum visits, the day offered juggling training in Circus Baldoni's ring, an entertaining lecture and a formidable show with the magician Henning Nielsen as well as a well-attended gala performance in Cirkus Baldoni.

Henning Nielsen in the museum’s Fencing Hall. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Show with Henning Nielsen. The boy on the stage is my 11-year-old magic interested grandson Sebastian. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the day

Queue in front of Circus Baldoni. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Actually, the international circus day is held on the 3rd Saturday in April. It's this year's Easter Saturday. Easter is in Denmark celebrated from Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday. Due to this the circus friends moved the Danish celebration one week ahead.

In Sweden, they also believe that fewer people will come if you celebrate the day on Easter Saturday. Thus, they have moved the celebration of the day to a week after Easter, where the Swedish Circus Academy in co-operation with Circus Olympia celebrates the event in Växjö in the days 25 to 27 April. Program:

Thursday April 25th

Kl. 17.00 - 20.00 Shopping evening in Växjö City. All stores in town have extended opening hours with CIRCUS theme. Speakers Corner: balloons, face painting for children, sale of Circus Olympia tickets, etc. On the stage in the middle of Storgatan, circus artist Johanna Abrahamsson occasionally performs with hula hoop.

Friday April 26th

Kl. 15.00 - 16.00 Circus parade through central Växjö. Artists, animals, circus orchestra.

Kl. 18.30 Circus show, Spetsamossen.

Kl. 21.15 Mingle with dinner at Restaurant La Castellina (Hotel Royal Corner), Liedbergsgatan 11 for everyone interested together with members from the Circus Academy and artists from Circus Olympia. 3-dishes SEK 350: - incl. a glass of beer, wine or water with Skagenrøre, Grilled steak, Marmängswiss and coffee.

Saturday April 27th

Kl. 10.00 - 11.00 Open house at Circus Olympia. See training with artists, horses and dogs in the ring.

Circus artist and circus teacher Johanna Abrahamsson (Charlie of the Year 2018) tells about the Association Reinos Friends, Cirkusexpressen and Project Cirkuskvarnen.

Kl. 12.00 Service in the Circus tent with Bishop Fredrik Modeus and dean of the chapter Jens Linder. The Östrabo singers conducted by Anna Holmström. Mona G song. Artists from Circus Olympia participate. Free admission, collection.

Kl. 16.00 Circus performance at Spetsamossen. Buy ticket in Cirkuskassan, 070-338 11 88.

Kl. 19.30 gathering at Restaurant La Castellina (Hotel Royal Corner) over a piece of food.

Registration for dinner with Roy Himsel tel. 070-6998944 or roy.himsel@telia.com no later than 22/4. (Notify if you don't want meat)

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Welcome to celebrate the 10th World Circus Day with the Circus Academy in Växjö!

15 April 2019

Again this year, Alexander Arli has participated in Jan Schou's revue-variety Schou-tour at Østergaards Hotel in Herning. In April, with performances 5, 6, 12 and 13. Those days, Martin Arli therefore took over Alexander's part as clown in Circus Arli, and the main clown entrée ”The art shooting entrée" was performed by Martin and Bettina Arli. The run-in where Alexander is tap-dancing was replaced with foot juggling Miss Edita, sister of Alan Sulc and partner of Yuriy Mamchych. While antipodists lie on their backs when juggling their feet, Edita stands up. In her final trick, she climb a sort of ladder, every time she goes one step up, with her foot throwing an elongated cylinder over to the other foot, see photo.

15 April 2019

It was the very heart of the city of cities -- Paris -- that was hurt when Notre Dame on 15 April was hit by a violent fire. Paris has, after all, during the latest years, been heavily stricken by terror, giant demonstrations (the yellow vests) and now the fire devastating much of a worldwide known symbol of the city. However, Paris and the Parisians don't surrender, neither does my Paris correspondent for many years --  ZARRO ZARRO. Thus - please enjoy another write up about artistic shows in Paris.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS - always interesting, appealing and hilarious shows, -- just now COMEDIE NATION proudly presents a very sympathetic and festive magic show geared at the small fry and their parents - magic entertainer CLEMENT treats us to ZYGOMAGIQUE, where the title makes us expect a funny and surprising show.

COMEDIE NATION is a rather small theater, nicely refurbished in a classical style, it sports a large span of programs, many artists have here had their first encounter with the public.

The program is based on magic, but the numerous funny stunts are what really carry the show, as it is performed with lots of energy and dynamics, everything contributing to the children's joy; they take part by laughing and shouting magic words.

Elegantly dressed in a black suit, CLEMENT features his effects, at a brisk pace and using lots of interaction with the kids, he treats them all in a friendly and humorous way, making them all feel safe and in a good mood, which is appreciated by their parents.

A wonderful afternoon sporting funny stunts, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, and all see that a festive, hilarious and entertaining show can be produced without - electronics.

Photos by courtesy of Clement

Absolutely worth seeing!!

See more: www.clementlemagicien.com

Venue: COMEDIE NATION, 77 rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris. Metro: NATION.

Sometimes news from Paris may appear when the show is closed. However, such shows

keep touring the world and often come back to Paris.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

12 April 2019

Steen Pegani 50 years. Tuesday, April 16, Steen Pegani, Horsens, middle-sized town in Denmark, celebrates his 50 years birthday.

He got hooked on magic in early childhood. Together with a friend he performed magic shows in the family garage, and then - being inspired by Leo Topp, a well-known dealer in magic props in Saxköbing, Denmark, he started at 16 selling magic props. At 18 he opened a magic shop in Horsens, which during the years has grown to be the leading one in Scandinavia.

To prop up the interest for magic he has organized numerous conventions, starring Danish and foreign magic entertainers, and he has created a system for coaching beginners.

He is frequently called upon as a specialist by TV, cinema, theater, circus and other shows.

Happily married to Bettina, children Josefine 14, Victor 16, 0liver 20, he acts as a magic entertainer, as well as the manager of his shop.

For 18 years he edited the Scandinavian magic magazine Pegasus, sporting lots of competent writers and a generous lot of photos.

A particular greeting from ZARRO ZARRO, Paris:

PEGANI turns 50 - that is nice, but possible for all and sundry ... I take pleasure congratulating to that mature age, but rather more to a brilliant career both as a business man and a magic entertainer.

Following in the footsteps of other great promotors of the magic art in SCANDINAVIA: LEO TOPP, DK -   EGELO, N - HARRIES, S - who all had a great impact, PEGANI keeps the flag flying high, an important event was - and still is - the Scandinavian magic magazine PEGASUS, where I was happy to contribute - although we didn't always have the same opinion - this magazine was an appreciated part of Scandinavian culture.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY and BON ANNIVERSAIRE from PARIS and ZARRO ZARRO!!!

11 April 2019

Swedish Circus Olympia 35 years - with a fun filled show!

Martin Lasson Berglund saw the premiere performance and writes (my translation):

Circus Olympia opened the season on April 6 in a warm Oskarström outside Halmstad. It is a pleasant tradition to go there and meet all circus friends, employees and the management. This year, you have a newly renovated box wagon, larger than before and very beautiful made in wood. At the premiere, one had also set up a fine fence in the facade with light chains that gave a welcoming impression. Another detail was that a couple of horses grazed in front of the foyer tent. This also looked very nice when you entered the circus lot.

The program this year, which is the 35th anniversary, offers the Swedish clown Cito whose character is played by Albin Ganovic from Helsingborg.

The clown Cito. All photos are press photos from Circus Olympia. Photographer: Linda Himsel

Despite his young age, he has already produced winter circus and set up fantastic cabaret shows (both in Helsingborg and Malmö). I highly recommend the Cabaret show which usually is set up during the autumn. This year he works as a clown at Olympia, which also has the clown Tito Medina (who some years ago performed in Danish Circus Benneweis) on the program.

Tito Medina

Niklas Bengtsson presents the circus' own Frisian horses and ponies. His spouse Natascha Jarz presents the riding dog Lekzsi and Henrika Bengtsson the circus' playful dogs.

Henrik Bengtsson with dogs and assistants

Jessica Bengtsson is not in the ring this year but stays at home in the winter quarter to take care of the animals that have "season off" and stay home.

The Medina family starts with a quick-change act where even the family's children change clothes. Duo Lameth performs in aerial straps and later in an impressive entrée in trapeze.

Duo Lameth in aerial straps

Other artists who participate in the year's performance are Irena Lagroni as foot juggler, Miss Nanou as equilibrist and Duo Lagroni with knock-about table acrobatics.

Duo Lagroni

Last but not least, Circus Olympia's large band, 6 piece led by Valentin Smirnov who have been with Olympia for many years.

Let's just stop here! It is actually unique to have orchestra today for looking around in Europe there are very few circuses who have live music in relation to how many circuses there are. More and more circuses use pre-recorded music and the music is not really given priority, which is a pity. I personally love when there is live music and musicians playing. Circus Maximum's former bandmaster Krzysztof Majewski, for example, works this year at Danish Baldoni but only as a drummer i.e. he plays together with recorded music. Parts of Maximum’s orchestra can be heard in Norwegian Arnardo and others elsewhere in Europe, but the gang will play together again at the circus festival in Lille as they did in previous years. Circus Krone in Germany this year has a circus orchestra during their tour which plays together with pre-recorded music so here's a little bit the other way around, going from just recorded music to hiring an orchestra during their tented season.

So don't miss this year's performance of Swedish Circus Olympia where you get to experience real circus in modern vintage!

7 April 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  a super original show  -- SPEAKEASY -- is in Paris proudly presented by LA CIGALE, located in the Pigalle area, earlier a sleazy spot for crime and hookers, today a tourist area without real interest, although there are several theatres, also LA CIGALE, formerly a dance hall, now refurbished to an elegant theatre and concert hall.

SPEAKEASY refers to the clandestine beer halls that appeared during THE PROHIBITION, 1919 - 1933 in USA, the period when all trade with alcohol was illicit; however those who managed to find and drink this very alcohol - didn't risk anything!

SPEAKEASY created and performed by THE RAT PACK, a group of excellent acrobats and comedians, all round artists; CLARA HUET dance, comedy, aerial ring, / ANN-KATRIN JORNOT acrobatics, voltige, equilibrist/ ANDREA CATOZZI acrobat, Chinese mast, comedy /GUILLAUME JUNCAR acrobat and CYR WHEEL, /XAVIER LAVABRE acrobatic stunts/ VINCENT MAGGIONI acrobat, Chinese pole.

Photographer: Jumo Photography. By courtesy of KI M’AIME ME SUIVE

Stage setting REGIS TRUCHY // Live music by the French Music collective Chinese MAN.

SPEAKEASY gives us a good idea of the special surroundings and environments in the thirties, it is very dynamic, sporting incredible acrobatic stunts, and it does hit the target when visually describing this very special community, the costumes, haircuts and the interior of these speakeasies are perfectly depicted.

Absolutely worth seeing - they do tour just about everywhere in the world! Back in Paris from June 13 to August 10, Tuesday to Saturday at 19:30, this time at Palais de Glaces, 37 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris.

Se mer: www.kimaimemesuive.fr and www.lacigale.fr

Poster for the performance. Click here to see a video teaser for the upcoming performance

Venue: LA CIGALE, 120 Boulevard ROCHECHOUART, 75018 Paris Metro: Pigalle. From 3 June to 10 August: Palais de Glaces, 37 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

5 April 2019

World Circus Day 2019

Saturday April 13th we celebrate World Circus Day in Denmark for the 10th consecutive year.

The World Circus Day is celebrated on the initiative of the Federation Mondiale du Cirque, which has Princess Stephanie of Monaco as honorary president. The day is usually celebrated the third Saturday on April. Since it this year is Easter Saturday which in Denmark is a public holiday with many on vacation we have in the Copenhagen region moved the highlighting of the day one week ahead.

World Circus Day is celebrated at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. It is in cooperation between Danish Circus Friends Association, the museum and Circus Baldoni.

On the World Circus Day, the museum is open from 10-14. This day there will be free admission.

From 11 to 12.30 there is Circus Fun in Cirkus Baldoni’s ring. A true hit for kids! You can experience the magic of circus and among other things learn how to juggle with the help of professional artists. Circus Baldoni’s tent is put up at the square just behind the Circus Museum. Free admission.

At 11:15, the magician Henning Nielsen tells about his life, including about his experiences, when in 2015 he took the judging panel and the whole family Denmark by storm, when he achieved a nice 3rd place in the Danish version of "Got Talent". The lecture takes place in the Auditorium in the Avedøre camp, close to the Circus Museum. Free admission.

At 13 o'clock Henning Nielsen presents his magic show in the Fencing Hall which is located next to square behind the museum. Free admission.

You can meet Henning Nielsen twice: first as a lecturer and then as a magician

At 14:15 there is a gala performance in Cirkus Baldoni. To celebrate the day all ticket prices are reduced by 30 DKK.

Circus Baldoni puts up their red / blue tent on the square just behind the Circus Museum

5 April 2019

Circus Brazil Jack 2019 – an excellent anniversary performance. 5 stars out of 6 possible if I had been a newspaper reviewer.

This year it is 120 years since the Swedish artist Brazil Jack (Carl Max Alexander Rhodin) established his circus. So even though the current Circus Brazil Jack was first established in 1982, they choose to celebrate the anniversary. For in the circus industry you are always celebrating anniversaries with extra strong programs and a little "noise and bang in the advertisement".

Circus Brazil Jack opened the season at the Mill Square in Malmö on 4 April

The tent is worn, and before the performance you almost feel that you look up in a starry sky, which is not just painted on the tent dome. But when the performance starts, it is certainly nothing worn over it: a beautiful and fast-paced performance with several top acts. And accompanied a well-playing band and not just pre-recorded music.

The white spots are not stars on the canvas or errors in the picture, but the places where the big top is worn. A new tent is on the wish list

This year's clown is Tony Florees. He has several run-ins where he gets members of the audiences in the ring and is trying to direct by the frequent use of is pea whistle. In his first run-in he masked an audience member as a lion and wanted him to jump through a ring of fire. However, Tony himself had to take the jump when David Wolff of Wolff Brothers took over the command.

Tony Florees is fond of his pea whistle!

Next came a colourful and fast-paced skipping act with 8 artists from Compania Havana, who also delivered artists to Brazil Jack last year. They mastered, among other things, skipping with a "pyramid" of 4 people, something I not previously remember having seen.

Compania Havana can skip in many different ways

After a brief welcome by the director Trolle Rhodin III, one of the show's top acts came in the ring: the only 18-year-old Frenchman Vioris Zoppis, with an impressive number in aerial straps. An act which last year brought him gold at the New Generation festival in Monte Carlo. It made the act extra spectacular that in the ring was placed a flat basin with a little water in which he could dip when he was down and which sprayed off him when he hurriedly came up again.

Vioris Zoppis - a master of aerial straps

In the latest 3 years in a row Wolf Brothers has been with Brazil Jack. Last year they tried their luck with new entrées. This year has gone back to their main acts, which is also is their best. Their first entrée was the comic trapeze act where younger brother David, a head taller than the elder brother Richard, as a trapeze star tries to reach a trapeze. They are actually brothers despite the difference in height.

Wolff Brothers. The Danes know them from several seasons in Circus Arli

After a short run-in with Tony, 4 members from Compania Havana came again in the ring this time with a hand-to-hand number presented in a quiet pace.

A girl at the top

Most male contortionists look very grave during their act and not everyone find such acts aesthetic. George from Ghana, however, had a smile on his lips, while turning his elastic body in every possible and impossible direction.

A smiling contortionist

The first act after the intermission was a reunion with Wolffs Brothers, now dressed as Scots in their well-known knock-about table act.

They were followed by Raisa from Compania Havanna with an aerial act in hanging perch.

After another run-in with Tony - the one with the baby in the pram - we met his wife: Maud Florees Gruss on tight wire with an act which was far better than what most female tight wire artist usually does. In addition to various balances and split the act included cycling on one-wheeled bike, skipping and toe dancing. Even while the wire was being lowered, ending up as a slack wire. A very impressive act!

Tony now had a new run-in with 3 members of the audience: the version of the rock band entrée where the musicians are pulled out behind the curtain and shot one by one.

The performance last act was Compania Havana with Russian swing. During the mounting of the swing Wolff Brothers entertained with a comic springboard act. The number in Russian swing offered several great jumps and were levels above what the Cheban troupe this year shows in Danish Circus Arena. Among the spectacular tricks were leaps through a ring of fire and jump to a chair as known from the springboard acts.

From Russian swing and into the fire

As usual with Brazil Jack there was no ringmaster. Only by purchasing a program in the circus kiosk you could you see the names of the performers. "We're Brazil Jack, a show and not individual artists," Trolle Rhodin III explained.

5 April 2019

Circus Trapez chooses this year chooses to market themselves as "The beautiful Indian-horse-show Yakari and little Thunder". The role as the Indian boy Yakari, who can talk with the animals, is performed by the 12-year-old Nynne, who had her circus debut in Isabella Enoch's Sosman's winter circus. There is premiere in Kolding April 12th.

Usually children under the age of 13 must not work. However, the police chief of the Central and Western Jutland Police may, on application in each case, allow children under the age of 13 to take part in, participate in or participate in cultural and similar activities, including circus performances.

2 April 2019

Arli in top form - Circus Arli 2019. Last summer, Martin Arli got a detachment of the retina in one eye. Such detachment can cause that you to a greater or lesser extent lose sight of the affected eye. It is treated with surgery, which sometimes have to be repeated. Martin has had four eye surgeries during the last year and has been told not to overstrain his eye before it is okay again. That is why this year he is forced to omit some of the things he usually does, including playing on the trumpet and using make up.

Due to this have been a few changes in Circus Arli's usual concept. The clown and the magician Martino are replaced by Alejandro aka Alexander Arli, and Martin himself has taken over the role as ringmaster from Mrs Bettina.

However, the many Arli friends and fans need not fear that the mood and elegance that characterize an Arli performance has been lost. Arli is in top form this year an even present a world-class artist act.

The opening spectacle is according to Lotte Arli the most expensive horse act ever presented in Arli - the costumes were expensive! And at the same time something that even the most fanatical animal welfare activist can’t complain about.

Gee up all my horses!

Then Duo Bench entered the ring with an elegant and well-presented act with balance on and around a bench. "Don’t I not know them from last year?” I asked after the performance. And yes: The couple was also with Arli in 2018, where he did handstand on a "penny-farthing" and she appeared in tissue and with hula hoop, where she was hoisted up in the air.

Duo Bench

After a short run-in with Alejandro - "Don't play here" - Yuriy Mamchych came in the ring with an aesthetically extremely elegant number in aerial straps performed to classical music.

Now another run-in followed with Alejandro, who by the way this year can celebrate 30 years anniversary as artist. He was only 2 years old when he had his debut! In the run-in he tap-danced on a platform he brought with him. But the spotlight constantly changed direction and Alejandro had to move to a new place.

The tap-dancing was followed by Jelena Vasiljeva – the female partner in Duo Bench - with graceful artistry in the ringstand, see photo.

Jelena with ringstand

Last number before the intermission 28-year-old Alan Sulc, who presented an act of a standard which rarely is seen in a small circus. It was 15 years since we first saw him in a Danish circus: Benneweis, where he bounced balls into his podium with incredible speed and security and became the top act of the year. Already in 2001 he won only 12 years old with the late Nelly Jane Benneweis in the jury gold at the European Youth Circus festival in Wiesbaden. In January 2004, he was one of the youngest artists ever to get a bronze clown in Monte Carlo, and later that year he was as mentioned at Benneweis. He certainly has not deteriorated over the years, and Martin Arli can with good reason be proud being able to present his audience for such a world class act.

Alan Sulc - a world class star at Arli. Jackie Berdino from the large Circus Arena was also impressed.

"Alan works with his hands and his wife with her feet." In this way Martin presented Miss Veronica alias Mrs Sulc, who with her feet juggled first one, then two, since three and finally four scarves. There were also a few handstand elements in her entrée.

Next came a "slinky" in the ring. It turned out to contain Bettina Arli, who later flew over the ring - even hanging in her hair! Something the former lady hairdresser first time tried 35 years ago.

She is flowing over the ring

Under the name of the Polupans, Sergeis Populans and Mrs. Jelena presented a short, but well-performed illusion act with props that they have borrowed from the Arli family. "Where did she go?" my wife asked when Sergeis made his tall wife vanish from the boxes.

For many years, the clowns in Circus Arli have been called Martino & Co aka Martin and Alexander Arli. This year, the troupe is called Alejandro & co. The many who have loved Martino & Co, however, should not despair - Martino alias Martin and Alexander are still in the duo, Martin however without make up. Their main entrée this year was one of the couple's most beloved entrées: the art shooting entrée.

Alejandro & co.

The performance last act was an elegant number in tissue, also called silks. Duo Mamchych consists of Yuriy - the one with the aerial straps - and his wife Edita, who by the way is the sister of Alan Sulc.

Duo Mamchych - elegance in the air

The performance runs for a little less than 2 hours. 

Click here to see Jacob Boas Leitisstein’s photos from the performance

Click here to read Rud Kofoed’s review with many photos

1 April 2019

Circus Arnardo 2019. Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo saw the season opening performance in the Norwegian Circus and writes (my translation):

Circus Arnardo with 70th anniversary. Norwegian Circus Arnardo premiered in Arendal with an almost full tent and well deserved standing applause. Many good artists of high quality.

Laura Urunov's dogs are a quality act. All photos: Thorbjørn Klæbo Flo.

Are and Paolina stick to grandfather Arne's magical traditions. Priscilla Errani with a strong hula hoop act. Trixi & Roy's pony act for the second time in Arnardo’s ring, presented in a playful way.

Mikhail Milla is a tempo juggler with more than a glimpse of the eye, high tempo absolutely.

Laura Urunov's parrots were also a highlight and worthy to be in a jubilee performance.

Los Sito's custard pie humour was well received at the opening night. I noticed that also Are Arnardo did a great job. Not all ringmasters are good assistants to clowns.

Interval of about 15 min. Los Sitos back with merry tricks.

Jan Extreme bike show, BMX and trail action sports in a spectacular show. With many highlights and high jumps. Well done and well presented.

Swedish David Hammarberg worked very well in bungee-trapeze

Trixi & Roy was back with ponies and llamas in nice dressage. It's great that Arnardo chooses to keep the animals in a time where other circuses skip the animals. With this quality of animal husbandry there is everything to be won.

Duo Urnov with the fastest quick-change .... excellent

Double risk - Marco and Priscilla is the last act in this year's performance with both knife throwing and crossbow shooting with high risk level. High tempo and a lot of charm

Circus Arnardo was established in 1949, not the easiest time to build a circus. Since it has toured every season and is thus the circus in the Norwegian circus history which has survived for the longest time. Let’s hope for another 70 another years!

***

A sad addition: Since the mid-1980s, the circus lot in Oslo has been in Tøyen next to the Munch Museum. For more than 30 years the district's residents have been able to see Cirkus Arnardo's arrival as a safe sign of spring. But now lot have been built on, and the Oslo municipality has not been able to find another circus lot. Thus, no more circuses in the Norwegian Capital Oslo. The city's new slogan may be: "We focus on nature and not on culture"! Oslo is certainly the only Nordic capital that does not have room for circuses.

29 March 2019

Circus Baldoni 2019 - the flying circus. The flying circus is the title of a Danish film from 1912 and on a Danish novel from 1914written by Carl Muusmann. However, it is doubtful if is the film or the novel that have inspired René Mønster Baldoni to let a trip in a flight be the theme of this year's performance. Rather, it is René's love for ultralight aircrafts and his helicopter.

In any case, this year's performance got a "flying start", when Captain Baldoni welcomed the audience to Baldoni Airways and as in an aircraft got through a special flight safety instruction. For example “In the event of a decompression due to convulsive laughter an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you”. And “Smoking is only allowed outdoors in a parachute”. When the flight crew - 3 stewardesses and the purser Paczo - came on stage (Baldoni’s ring is a circular stage), they were wearing aircraft uniforms. The same was true of Captain René himself and even his lion Leonardo (a ventriloquist’s doll).

The crew at Baldoni Airways. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The purser Paczo (Peytchev Plamen Metodiev) was the clown in the performance. He replaces Danilo, who after 10 years at Baldoni tries something else. Baldoni's audience also met Paczo in 2006, 2011 and 2017, where he as Mr. Jumping appeared in the classic comic trampoline act with the pool.

An old and a new clown. For the last 10 seasons, Baldoni's house clown has been Danilo aka Daniel Dimitrijevic. Despite his surname he is Danish. This year he is replaced by Paczo (Peytchev Plamen Metodiev) from Hungary. Baldoni's audience met Paczo as Mr. Jumping in 2006, 2011 and 2017 in the classic comic trampoline act with the pool. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Not everything is new. Here you see Leonardo and director Baldoni, who have their well-known remarks. However, they have both got new uniforms that fit the theme of this year's performance: Take a trip with Baldoni Airways. Very appropriate in a circus whose owner loves to fly in an ultralight plane and helicopter. Photo: Ole Simonsen

After the safety instruction and Baldoni's traditional welcome song, the audience met an old acquaintance: the Czech all-round artist Eduard "Eddie" Janacek. It's his fourth season at Baldoni. In previous years, he has worked as juggler, with rola bola and as a clown. This year he presented a classic and well-performed juggling act with rings, clubs, hats and cigar boxes.

Next came Hungarian Adrienn on the stage  – or rather above the stage.  She presented a nice act in trapeze. (Not swing trapeze).

Adrienn. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Then it was time for comedy in the form of a run-in with René and Pazco and a springboard. It became obvious that Paczo has a past as a knockabout acrobat.

The flight had now reached Ireland where, under the title of Ireland Riverdance, we met the Bulgarian foot juggler Suliana Tomova with hula hoops, balls and cylinders.

Then Baldoni Airways reached Las Vegas, where you saw elegant magic with the Danish magician Kim Kenneth and his 3 girls, primarily the assistant and girlfriend Jessica. With one exception, Kim presented tricks that were neither on the program when he in 2018 was with Baldoni or when he was with the now closed Circus Benneweis in 2009, 2010 and 2015. Among other tricks he presented an elegant but updated version of the classic number with the lady who gets sawn in half. Eventually, he made Jessica float out of the ring.

Kim Kenneth and his girls. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Ready to saw the pretty Jessica in half. Photo: Ole Simonsen

Now Captain Baldoni and Leonardo announced that there were problems with the engines - it was a Boing 737 Max! So you had to land on an airfield where, incidentally, there were well-stocked kiosks!

After the break, the captain came again on the stage, this time on the segboard and "wearing" a little Cessna with which trip would continue.

The first country on the further trip was Japan, where we experienced Japanese tight wire dancing with Bulgarian Stiliana Tomowa, who mastered to walk on the wire with wooden blocks on the feet.

Splits on the wire. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Then we came to the Wild West, where the whole Janacek family entered the stage: papa Eddie, Mama Maria and the son Karel (Kaya), who last year were among the nominees for the Danish Circus Award’s talent prize. The family did whiplashing, lasso spinning and knife throwing. The last thing even with mama Maria clinging to a rotating disc.

Buffalo Family aka the Janacek family. Here Eddie throws knives at his wife. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

Kim Kenneth, like many magicians, has a weakness for card tricks. Helped by a gentleman from the audience - at the premiere the Danish Strictly come dancing-jury member Jens Werner - he presented a trick where Jens Werner, by shooting after a card pile, should hit a card exactly similar to what he had previously pulled without showing it to Kim. The act was presented with charm and elegance and a few of the gimmicks that Kim both loves and masters.

It always does well with a "celebrity" on the stage - here the Strictly come dancing jury member Jens Werner. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The next act was called King of Air in free dressage. Unfortunately, he king didn’t show up, and Pazco tried, with greater or less luck, to replace him in an entrée which start could remind us of Wolff Brothers' comic trapeze act. Whether Pazco succeeds in getting up into the trapeze or not you will have to visit Circus Baldoni to see.

The last act of the show should have been Ababa Brothers / Abu Boys, who in 2015 excited Baldoni's audience with an excellent Risley act. Unfortunately, they have jobs on a cruise ship, so René had to use another couple from Ethiopia, which he presented under the name Ethiopian Brothers. Although they may not be quite in line with their countrymen from 2015, they did a nice and fast-paced act which ended with the flyer performing 29 somersaults.

Ethiopian Brothers. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

It was a well-composed and well-produced and smoothly running performance without acts which was too lengthy or of second rate. The performance was staged by Kim Kenneth and René Mønster Baldoni.

There is no doubt that the audience through the season will feel well entertained in Circus Baldoni. So find the flight socks and go to the circus!

After the performance, an enthusiastic audience greeted the 11 performers with standing ovations. Photo: Jacob Boas Leitisstein. Click here to see more of Jacob's photos from the show

26 March 2019

Performers in Swedish Circus Brazil Jack 2019. Sweden's largest circus opens the season at the Mill Square in Malmö on Thursday 4 April. On facebook they have presented some of the performers in the upcoming performance:

The 18-year-old Vioris Zoppis comes from Italy. He is a sixth generation circus artist and trained as an aerial acrobat at the Accademia D’arte Circense in Verona. In January 2018, he won gold at the 7nd New Generation Festival in Monte Carlo. Click here to see a video clip. All photos are press photos from Cirkus Brazil Jack

The rubber man George Faining was born in Accra in Ghana. He discovered early on that he had incredibly agile joints and spine, which along with his interest in acrobatics made it easy to choose a career as an acrobat. Unlike many other male contortionists he presents his act with a smile on his lip.

Maud Florees Gruss is daughter of Alexis and Gipsy Gruss of the large great French circus Alexis Gruss. She is the 6th generation of the famous French circus family. Both her mother and her grandmother were excellent tight wire dancers, and that Maud Floress Gruss is as well. She was born in 1982 and is married to the comedian and multi-artist Tony Florees, who is also a part of this year's Brazil Jack performance.

After spending the winter season in Paris' famous Cirque D'hiver Bouglione, the Wolf Brothers are back at Brazil Jack with new exciting and funny features. They were also with Brazil Jack in 2017 and 2018. The Danes know them from Cirkus Arli 2011 and 2014

Of course there is more artists in the performance than those mentioned.

24 March 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  always interesting and thrilling events -  THEATRE DE L'ATELIER proudly presents a show of international interest:  BELLS AND SPELLS, by VICTORIA THIERREE CHAPLIN/ dotter till den store  CHAPLIN/, the actors are her daughter  AURELIA THIERREE and  JAIME MARTINEZ.

THEATRE DE L'ATELIER is a beautiful theatre, in traditional style, red velvet and gold - pleasing !

This show can't be described exactly, as it goes beyond common frames, using an abundance of surprises, particularly the stage- props that, apparently on their own, appear on stage.

The nearest we can come a description - is a personal idea  of the scenario, viz. an

individual interpretation of the play.

The stage illusions do remind us of magical illusions, although it is not an illusion show.

Professional magic entertainers might get some inspiration from it. The performers are trained professional dancers, to a great extent. They display a clear joy of performing and the audience responds willingly.

An important detail: the accompanying background music is limited to a discreet and  low level, thus a pleasant little extra.

Absolutely worth seeing !! // Playing until MAY12. Folowing that perforamces in UK, Russia and Switezerland.

Photo by courtesy of Theatre de L'atelier. Photographer : Richard Haughton

See more : http://www.aureliathierree.com/bells-and-spells/

Click here to see a short video clip

VENUE: THEATRE DE L'ATELIER, 1 Place Charles Dullin, 75018, Paris. Metro:  PIGALLE or  ANVERS.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

22 March 2019

Circus Arena 2019 – season opening. Rud Kofoed from Ajour Press was as me and my youngest son and grandson among the guests at the premiere of this year's performance on Wednesday 20 March. Rud gives this year's performance 5 stars and writes (my translation):

YOUNG WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUG - KOLEV SISTERS IS GIRLPOWER AGAINST STRONG MEN IN BUBBER'S EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

The fact that two young sisters, the youngest is 19, should become an outstanding top act is one of the dreams that Bubber makes come through in the season's Circus Arena show. And no, it is not just because they are good-looking, which of course is no disadvantage. Well, the fact is that the chain of at least 250 years of strong men in the ring here is severely broken by girlpower hardly seen before.

Kolev Sisters' hand-to-hand acrobatics is so beautiful, powerful and incredibly impressive that they triggered standing applause from the excited premiere public in the Arena at Bellahoj (the circus lot in Copenhagen). We guess it will continue throughout the summer. Nicole and Michelle Kolev have been on the road for some time, but a little in the shadow of their parents from Flying Wulber which fortunately also is part of the show.

Here Kolev Sisters really for the first time stands on own feets and is the main act in a performance. They have the power and elegance - without looking as artificially inflated testosterone bombs that have just left the gym with unclean doping flour in the muscles. It is hard to spot from where they get all the power and all the suppleness, but they both has it and present it with a peace and security that can take everyone's breathe away.

In 2019, the girlpower was introduced into the Danish circus ring!

The Kolev sisters - a surprising top act. It is not a regular gymnastics lesson we are witnessing with the two sisters. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

However, it should now not get the performances other handstand artist, the Russian Oleg Izossimov to pack his suitcase, even though you ask yourself: 'Why another handstand act?' However, it is justified because he is an elegant and balanced hand stand acrobat when he as light as a feather is dancing and floating over the ring. I noticed that he lit strikingly many girls desire for taking smartphone photos!

Oleg Izossimov. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

But there were more great experiences in the performance, Firstly, Bubber is back 29 years after he first jumped into Circus Arena’s ring with his bathtub. (Bubber’ Bathtub was at that time a popular serial in Danish children TV). It was fun then - and for the next seven years when he continued as ringmaster. Now he is back in the ring with an equally enthusiastic childish circus enthusiasm. He justifies the poster cry: "Circus according to Bubber".

Niels Christian Meyer has become 54 old. But as the uncrowned king of the circus ring he is the incomparable, always curious and warmly engaged show- and ringmaster.  Bubber is born to unite generations.

Bubber is back after 29 years. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The experiences continue with yet another top act. The pigeons flying for Andrejs Fjordorovs from Latvia are an almost incomprehensible but beautiful and deeply fascinating experience of what can happen when man and bird find each other in a symbiosis which is difficult to understand.

It was Andrejs Fjodorovs when he, as an autodidact pigeon whisper in 2008, humbly appeared in the small, Danish circus Arli and surprised everyone, at least this reviewer, with his act with pigeons. He had learned their 'language' so he could train them to do the most incredible, which triggered a five-star review in the tabloid Ekstra Bladet, where I allowed myself to write: -No doubt that this is a world class act we here is witnessing . It's just so new that very few have discovered it yet.

The artists - the pigeons - flew freely around in the nature during the day and only came in cages at night and when the circus moved from lot to lot. Andrejs just called them when they were going to 'sleep'.

It was a world class act born in Arli! A foreign circus agent spotted the sensation. Already two years after - in 2010 - I met Andrejs Fjodorovs once again, this time under the greatest possible conditions, namely at the international circus festival in Monte-Carlo, where 4,000 audiences each evening sat and "dissected" the act. There he repeated with an equally eye-catching security his art with pigeons.

It did not trigger a metal clown at that time, which says more about the fierce competition than about Andrejs Fjodorovs. However he received the distinguished "Prix de l'Association Monegasque Des Amis du Cirque". Now the world had seen him, and the international breakthrough was a reality. The pigeon act has been "a sensation" ever since at the biggest festivals and in the major circuses.

Ten years later, Fjodorovs is back to Denmark, where it all started - this time in Scandinavia's largest circus. The number has been so developed, beautiful and fantastic that I had to bite my arm and contact a credible circus expert to confirm that it really is the same Andrejs Fjodorovs it was all about. It was!

The act is difficult to describe. The Lord of the pigeons makes it impossible not to get reincarnation thoughts! He must have been pigeon in his past life.

Andrejs Fjodorovs - the lord of the pigeons. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Year 1 after the elephants has left the Danish circus rings such an act mitigates.

In addition, Karsten Berdino - father of the Arena triplets - provides an exotic supplement with a desert walk with one hump camels, also known as dromedaries. They are beautiful, well-kept animals. It is the beautiful brown Arabian stallion presented by the circus princess Laura Berdino also. They are almost as elegant and lovely as their trainer.

Laura Berdino with 6 brown Arabien stallions. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Finally, Laura's and Jackie Berdino's daughter, 6-year-old Scarlett, enter the ring - with a Shetland pony, a popular win in any ring. Now Arena has not only one but two circus princesses in the sawdust this year. On the other hand, the Crown Prince Patrick Berdino has gone on leave to experience something new for the first time in his 27 years in circus.

We can't ignore it: The five cool riders in Diorio's petrol-burning globe of death are the best in the industry and evoke the same thrill every time - this year with even greater speed. It's an audience hit - every time!

It takes contempt for death and not a single bad day to embark on this race, which takes place with five motorcyclists for full blowout is in the globe of death which opens here in the middle of the race. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

The weakest act in the performance is probably Cheban with their Russian swing and the jumps on inflated giant wheels from an airplane, but there are entertaining moments in it. Part of the explanation for the slightly low-fire effort may be that two men from the troupe have not arrived due to problems with the work permits. They will come in a few days, it is said.

In return, Duo Costache is back with a new trapeze act. It is risky but they stay on the safe side. It failed in 2017 when the "Iron Lady" Vita took a crash when she had to climb her husband, Leonardo's "Jaws" Costache's shoulder-carried perch in Viborg. Luckily, she escaped without major injuries. This year, the very tough attitude is taken out of the act. Good!

Duo Costache. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Otherwise, it is the Flying Wulber that dominates in the air with triple summersaults, great "jumps" and what you might otherwise want from a traditional flying trapeze act.

The triple. Photo: Rud Kofoed / A

Whether you like the reprice clown Jimmy Folco or not is a question of taste, also the good one. One cannot ignore that he fights for the case with Italian charm. But when he says: "On with the boxing gloves" in an audience-driven entrée it becomes a bit long-drawn-out.

This year Benny Berdino’son Jackie Berdino has taken over the task as production leader after the daily manager Klaus Jochumsen, who has retired - however, no more than Jochumsen has helped introducing the new people to their tasks. And his wife Kitt Jochumsen, continues as a tour manager.

The soundman Lasse Nørager, also known as the clown Bonbon, has, together with Jackie Berdino, been responsible for a successful putting on stage of this year's performance.

The old male ‘elephant’ Benny Berdino is still the circus director and can take a round of honour in the ring whenever when he wants, but mainly he  can he be happy for the fact that the circus for the future is in good family hands. We too can be happy for this fact - especially with such a splendid performance with three top acts.

Bubber, Laura and Scarlett and the old circus director Benny Berdino, who are delighted to see his circus in safe hands. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

To see more of Rud Kofoed's photos: Click at https://ajourpress.smugmug.com/CIRKUS-ARENA-2019-GIRLPOWER-I-F%C3%98LGE-BUBBER/

20 March 2019

"May I take a selfie with you", my grandson Sebastian asked Bubber after the premiere of Circus Arena's 2019 performance. As you can see, he was allowed to take such selfie.

For the first time in many years, there were no elephants in the Arena performance. Arenas 3 elephants are at home in their barn in Aarslev and are waiting for an agreement to send them to retirement in Knuthenborg Safari Park. This presupposes partly that funds are provided for an elephant facility in the safari park and partly that agreement is reached on a reasonable compensation to Circus Arena. Although a broad majority in the Danish Parliament wants elephants banned from circuses and would like to see the country's four circus elephants retired under good conditions, politicians' focus is currently more on the coming parliamentary election (there has to be an election before the middle of June) than on the fate of four circus elephants. (The 4th circus elephant belongs to Circus Trapez)

19 March 2019

Circus with and without animals. When Philip Astley "invented" the circus in 1768, the performance consisted of horse acts with inserted performances of clowns and acrobats. Looking at programs from the Copenhagen Circus building's first 25 years, the emphasis was on horses. Including high school, where in every performance there were riders who fought for the public's favour. Slightly hard to understand today, where high school is not the big draw, and where virtually no spectators have knowledge to judge the difficulty and many find such acts boring.

Some circus friends, especially the slightly older ones, believe that animal acts are a "must" in a performance and that a performance without animals should really be called variety and not circus. For others among the audience, animal acts are not important and some even prefer non-animal performances.

Of the Danish circuses, Baldoni has no animal acts. The last season, when they had many animals with - season 2013 with the Igen family with dogs and goats - became looking at the number of visitors one of the worst seasons in Baldoni's history. René Mønster Baldoni found out that his audience would rather see clowns, acrobats and comic acts than acts with animals. "In every business one must listen to the wishes of the customers," René says. Therefore, he has the last couple of years opted out having animal acts in the performances. "But I don't want to criticize other circuses for making another choice," René says.

Although both the act and animal welfare were good it was audience wise not a success when Circus Baldoni in 2013 presented the Igen family with dogs and goats. Baldoni's audience would rather see clowns, acrobats and comic acts. Due to this René Mønster Baldoni dropped the animal acts. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Among the other Danish circuses, Arena, Mascot and Trapez always have animals in the performances. Cicus Arli and Zirkus Nemo have sometimes animals in the performances. But far from every season. "Animal acts are not a must for us," says Martin Arli. "But if we are offered numbers of sufficiently high quality and where animal welfare is in order, we do not in advance say no to present an act with eg. dogs or cats. However, we have no animals in our 2019 performance."

In Sweden, Circus Brazil Jack in 2018 opted out of having animals in the show. Not because they oppose animals in a circus or have made an alliance with the Animal Protection. But because they like Baldoni in Denmark realised that their audience became less and less interested in animal acts.

In addition, a circus which like Brazil Jack is touring all over Sweden, also in the northern part of the country, comes to many lots where the foundation is asphalt or concrete. In other words, not grassy lots as we know it from Denmark.

"It makes it difficult to give large animals such as horses and camels optimal conditions," Carmen Rhodin says. "All that meant that my son Trolle III, who today is the owner of Circus Brazil Jack, last year decided not to have animals in the performance. It was appreciated by our audience, and in 2018 we had clearly more spectators than the year before. Therefore, there are no animal acts in our 2019 performance.”

Both Carmen, her spouse Trolle Jr. and their son Trolle III respect the fact that other circuses continue to have animals, and have no doubt that the Nordic circuses, which have animals, treat their animals well.

In Swedish TV4's program "Malou after ten", Malou von Sivers on March 19 had a visit by Trolle Rhodin III, who told how he as a teenager, after his brother tragic suicide gradually took over responsibility for the circus, which got more spectators after they dropped animal acts. Click here to see it approx. 14 minutes long interview (Language: Swedish. No subtitles)

Internationally, the trend is towards no or fewer animals in the performances. One of the most successful circus companies of the past decades, Cirque du Soleil, has, with one exception, never included animals, and the German cult circus Circus Roncalli has also chosen to drop the animals.

You can make excellent performances both with and without animals. We should be pleased about that. And for the fact that those who want to see animals still can do so. And those who are preferably free of animal act can find a circus that suits their taste. Personally, I judge a performance based on its quality, whether it is with or without animals. And I love good performances. With or without animals.

18 March 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  a super-original show on the theme  GEORGES MELIES, pioneer in the cinema industry, an inventor of what we today call SPECIAL EFFECTS, he operated in PARIS and  NEW YORK, organizing magic performances as well.

GEORGES MELIES, 1861 - 1938, created a great number of cinema and magical features, some of them are reproduced in the show GEORGES MELIES CABARET MAGIQUE, they have been featured a number of times at the THEATRE LA VIEILLE GRILLE /today disappeared/ PARIS, direction LAURENT BERMAN and ANNE QUESEMAND, recently it was performed at the THEATRE EL CLANDESTINO, direction DIEGO STIRMAN, located in the BELLEVILLE quarter, that by the way, also houses the big CHINATOWN of Paris.

This show displays a number of GEORGE MELIES' films, featuring special effects and magical stunts, the old copies are nicely restaurated, giving us an excellent picture of the cinema of that time.

Alternatively we are treated to a magic entertainer, who entertains in between the 4 cinema sequences, performing different magical stunts, there are live music and hilarious jokes.

When I saw the show, magic entertainer PAUL MAZ appeared performing excellent magical effects.

Paul Maz. Photos by courtesy of Charlotte Popon

All in all, a wonderful and unique cultural experience, particularly as GEORGES MELIES is fairly unknown to the general public.

About George Melies : see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8is28gAOTcA or try to google.

Om Diego Stirman and the performances he present : see http://www.familia-stirman.com/el-clandestino

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

15 March 2019

Anna Conradi turns 85. Saturday, March 16, the former bike acrobat Anna Conradi, Copenhagen, can celebrate her 85 years birthday. From 1950 to 1988, she and her husband Leif Conradi toured Europe, the Middle East and Japan as the bike acrobats Les Conradis.  In Denmark, the couple worked in Circus Arli, Circus Arena and Circus Belli. The couple also worked as jugglers under the name 2 Maxelli. But their main act was their bike number which they developed over the years and which ended with Leif jumping up a staircase with many steps on a one-wheeled bike. After stopping the tour life, they for a while still went around and performed at fairs, in exhibition centers etc., but just in Denmark. Later, they both as other former acrobats got jobs as attendants in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens.

Les Conradis. Photo from the 1971 program for Swedish Circus Ray Miller

14 March 2019

Circus Mascot 2019. The Deleuran family's small circus opens the season in Roslev on Wednesday 27 March. This year's performance is called Går Amok (Crazy). Circus Mascot writes (my translation):

This year's performance we have chosen to call « CRAZY » - and what does that really mean? In short, we once again spare no efforts in order to deliver a hit of a show.

We look forward to introducing you to outstanding aerial acrobatics, fast-paced diabolo, a  great dog show, adorable ponies, our TALENT pig Yrsa and her girlfriend Sille, funny goats and lots of fun with our absolutely funniest clown, Gulio.

To the left Circus Mascot's beloved clown Gulio. To the right his son Husik, who this year works with diabolos. All photos are press photos from Circus Mascot

This year's new circus artists are 2 brothers, whom we have brought to Denmark from Ethiopia. Abebe and Dessta are a two talented young boys with charm, self-confidence and delicious hair. Still, they are happy to wear a WHOLE lot of hats - at the same time. We have no doubt that t it will be hair-raising when one brother with his feet throws the other around in series of fast-paced somersaults. #WORLD CLASS

Abebe and Dessta come from Ethiopia

This year's show is "CRAZY" and it's all in honor of you and for the circus magic we insist on bringing to our audience!

The season will close on 22 September. During the season Circus Mascot will visit Jutland, Funen, Lolland-Falster and Zealand

14 March 2019

Summer artists at Lalandia Rødby. The children's friend, the tropical holiday center Lalandia's regular entertainer Mr. Plys, writes that this summer's artists at Lalandia Rødby are Duo Creative. The duo consists of Ina Sopova and Kristaps Pavlovs-Lipinskis from Latvia. They appear with quick change, foot juggling and dachshunds. The couple must not be confused with Polish Duo Creative, who performed at Wallmans in the Copenhagen Circus Building in season 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Kristaps can juggle with cigar boxes

From 28 June to 9 August you can see them on the stage in Rødby every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8 pm, where they replace Mr. Plys, who these days appear at Lalandia Billund. The show lasts approx. 30 minutes and is for the entire family.

You can read more about Duo Creative at www.creativeduo.lv.

Ina and her dachshunds

14 March 2019

Circus Olympia 2019. The Swedish Circus Olympia is this year celebrating their 35th anniversary. This year's program is:

Circus Olympia's orchestra led by Valentin Smirnov

Duo Lameth – Aerial acrobats aerial credle

Clown Cito - Circus Olympia's funny clown

Duo Lagroni - Comic knock-about table acrobatics

Tito Medina - Comic run-ins

Henrika Bengtsson - Circus Olympia's charming dogs

Miss Nanou - Equilibrist

Medina Family - Quick Change

Niklas Bengtsson – liberty dressage with Circus Olympia's beautiful horses and ponies.

Duo Lameth- Aerial straps

Irena Lagroni – foo juggler

All participating in a color-filled Grand Finale

Helena Bengtsson's playful dogs are an "Olympia Classic". Photo: Linda Himsel

The performance is presented as follows (my translation): The Swedish clown Cito, engages both children and adults with laughter and joy. The aerial acrobats Duo Lameth presents two amazing aerial acts: one in aerial craddle and another in the circus discipline aerial straps where the artists work in long straps, which hang from the circus dome. From the Czech Republic, juggler Irena Lagroni comes presenting an antipod number, which means she juggles with her feet! The ekvilibrist Miss Nanou presents a beautiful and advanced handstand act and The Medina Family presents a magical Quick Change act. The show has a clear comic emphasis and we get to know both the Clown Cito and the Spanish run-in clown Tito Medina and the comic knock-about table acrobats Duo Lagroni. Circus Olympia's own horses and dogs have of course their obvious place in this year's performance. Niklas Bengtsson presents his beautiful Friesian horses and big Tinker horses and small Shetland ponies and Henrika Bengtsson pressent her playful dogs.

Clown Cito's civil name is Albin Ganovic. He is known as the producer of Helsingborg's Cabaret Candy Club and the recent winter circuses in Malmö and Helsingborg.

Duo Lagroni was also at Olympia in 2011, where they performed in aerial straps.

The Danish audience saw the clown Tito Medina in Circus Benneweis 2011, where he and a partner among other things presented a comic number in low-hanging flying trapeze and Tito appeared with an inflatable elephant.

Not even opponents of animals in the circus can object to Tito Medina presentting this elephant!

12 March 2019

If you visit Circus Africa during their season in Germany, you may recognize the tent: It is the former Benneweis tent that Dawid Benneweis sold to Germany a few years ago. Circus Africa is owned by the Weisheit family and, like many other German family circuses, offers many animal acts: elephants, horses, camels, dromedaries, donkeys, llamas, zebras (a cross between a zebra and a pony), ponies and dogs.

10 March 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS ON A CRUISE The many cruise ships are a growing labor market for artists. The larger ships are a kind of traveling luxury hotels, where in addition to lots of restaurants and bars, there is also a theater with shows in the evening. During a cruise in February through the Panama Canal with Norwegian Star, I saw the Russian artists Duo Maria and Dmitry's show Marrambola, which among other things offered adagio acrobatics, aerial ring (hoop), straps (aerial straps) and tissue. The last two act were of such a quality that they could easily been used by one of the large Nordic circuses

The Stardust Theater at Norwegian Star has room for 1,200 people. Unfortunately, it was not allowed to take photos during the performances. Norwegian Star has room for 2,348 passengers and an crew of 1,031.

Another evening, the English magician Michael White, along with his spouse Hulan from Mongolia, presented an impressive magic and illusion show "White Magic", where the audience between all the magic also saw a couple of Huan's great tricks as contortionist.

Michael White & Hugan. The latter was one of Kim Kenneth's assistants when he made a show in Blackpool Tower in England a few years ago.

10 March 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS  --  THEATRE ALAMBIC proudly presents a great number of theatre plays for the adult audience and also plays geared at children, 2 - 8 years.

Out of the  last mentioned, the numerous sketches, about 50, about the twins  GABILOLO and MALOLOTTE are frequently performed at the ALAMBIC, they are a surefire institution that are played in the rest of  France, the teams  represent hilarious situations performed by GABILOLO and MALOLOTTE.

All photos by courtesy of Jérémy Martin/Gabilolo

The author   CATHERINE DEGAY is indeed very productive, her activity has a confirmed and great success,  all the sketches show a rich variety, including music, dancing, all kinds of hilarious jokes, magical effects, everything in a mixture of colorful costumes and theatrical  props, making the audience wonder "what is going to happen with these interesting items ?"

It is a full package of dramatic actions, songs where the small fry can join in  the singing, furthermore interaction that makes the children happy, and thus their parents are pleased as well, seeing their offspring  in a good mood and laughing a lot.

Catherine Degay

The stage setting is appropriate and pleasing, clearly showing the situation on stage, the PA system is good, the joy of performing is clearly displayed, nothing that might scare the kids is there, they all get an experience of live theater, as opposed to the electronic one, thus it  is a unique experience of live theater - the sketches featured by  GABILOLO and  MALOLOTTE is an excellent alternative when parents want to give their children a wonderful afternoon !

The entire performance is visual enough to enable even children who might not know French - to follow, grosso modo.

THEATRE ALAMBIC  is absolutely worth visiting !!

See more: www.alambic-comedie.com  and www.gabilolo.fr

Venue: 12 rue Neuve de la Chardonniere, 75018  Paris. Metro: SIMPLON.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

7 March 2019

Circus Arli 2019. This year's performance, which premieres at the Mill Hill in the Copenhagen suburb Fløng on March 31 with dress rehearsal the day before has the following performers:

Alan Sulc – juggler

Veronica - foot juggler (Alan's wife)

Duo Mamchych - Double tissue (consists of Yuiry and Edita, sister of Alan. They are engaged independently of each other)

Yuiry – aerial straps

Elena Vasiljeva - Stand ring

Duo Bench - handstand

The Polupans - illusions

Alejandro (Alexander Arli) as clown

Bettina Arli - comeback with hair hang

Martin Arli will himself present the show this year.

Alan Sulc is born in 1990 and comes from the well-known Berousek family. Only 12 years old he won gold in 2002 at the European Youth Circus festival in Wiesbaden. The late Nelly Jane Benneweis was member of the jury. In 2004, the Danes saw him in Circus Benneweis, where he bounced balls into his podium and clearly was the year's top act presented to Safri duo’s music. A couple of special prizes from this year's circus festival in Monte Carlo show that he still belongs to the top of the juggling world. He got the German circus friends' prize.

Rud Kofoed took this photo at this year's circus festival in Monte Carlo and wrote (my translation): There was a reunion with the young Czech, stylish juggler Alan Sulc in the second of the opening performances. He was only 14 when he in 2004 first time made his entrée at the festival with the act he had trained since he was five years old. Prince Albert handed him a bronze clown at that time. This time there was no metal clown, but on the other hand, several prominent special awards and giant applause for the development he can now present. 15 years later with a safety and finesse - with up to nine balls in the air at the same time. He uses both arms and legs when juggling - and has an exemplary and concentrated way to do it. It leaves respect - and admiration - and not least a belief in a future for the discipline.

6 March 2019

Circus in Sweden 2019 Circus Brazil Jack opens the season in Malmö on 4 April. Circus Olympia premieres in Oskarström on April 6th. Circus Diana Rhodin premieres April 7 in Åkarp.

Circus Brazil Jack writes (my translation): "We present an outstanding animal-free performance with artists from 4 continents. Gravity-defying aerial acrobatics, French tight wire dancing, international clowns and comedians, athletes from South America, a large live band and this year's sensation from Ghana: the rubber man George"

This year it is 120 ago since Brazil Jack established his circus

The names of the performers in this year’s performances in Circus Olympia and Circus Diana Rhodin have not yet been published.

Circus Maximum takes as in 2018 a break. But the Swedish circus magazine Cirkuläre Notiser writes with the newspaper Hallandsposten as the source that Maximum might be on the roads in 2020 with a performance with smaller animals and artist acts, preferably with a comical twist. And it will be a performance with a high tempo. "But nothing is definite," says Maximum's tour manager Helena Schicht. "But if we come back, it will be with a changed concept."

6 March 2019

The Cheban troupe to Circus Arena. In addition to the artists whose names previously have been mentioned on this site Circus Arena has engaged the Cheban troupe from Moldova for the upcoming season. In 2011 they toured Denmark with Circus Benneweis with jumps on bouncing wheels (big black inflated rubber wheels) and jumps from Russian swing.

6 March 2019

Circus in Norway 2019

Circus Arnardo opens the season in Arendal on March 16th. The can this year celebrate their 70th anniversary.

About this year's artists, Cirkus Arnardo writes (my translation):

Enjoy when Priscilla Errani to lively rhythms increases the pace of dozens of hula hoops, watch out as 19-year-old Mikhail Milla from Chile is juggling fast with balls and rings, hold your breath while Steacy Giribaldi is approaching the top of a stand-alone ladder.

Get surprised and amazed by Duo Urunov's amazing Quick-Change where fashionable outfits disappear in the air right in front of your own eyes. Watch the crossbow shooter bend his bow while his partner is being fastened to a rotating disc.

Marco and Priscilla present spectacular crossbow shooting and knife throwing acrobatics. All photos are press photos from Cirkus Arnardo.

Expect nifty backflips and spectacular jumps with BMX and Trial, tough bikes not much different from the ones you have at home.

The stuntmen in the Jan Extreme Bike Show do bold tricks.

Watch and hear musical clowns with elegant Spanish twist. Enjoy the gags with Los Sitos. Experience Laura's magnificent parrots and an epic "ara-flight" you'll never forget. Be ready for a close encounter with Russian borzois and playful poodles with a whirlwind of ambitions.

Laura Urunova presents both parrots and dogs

And say "Hi!" to Swedish David Hammarberg who flies in bungees high over the ring.

Trixi and Roy present ponies and llamas.

Circus Arnado's junior director Are and Mrs Paolina are this year in the ring with a completely new magic and illusion act. Are’s grandfather, the late Circus King Arne Arnardo, is Norway's most famous magician through the ages.

Circus Agora 2019. Jan Ketil’s Circus Agora opens the season in Straume on March 13th. This year's program features the soccer juggler Rafael De Carlo, Romanian Marius Gagiu in pole, Edi Laforte’s dog show, Andreas Quaiser with his ponies Max and Moritz, Martyn Chabry with musical quick-change, the clown Francesco, Mr. Gagiu in aerial straps and Jan Ketil himself with balance with cups and dishes. A number he in his time presented on the slack wire

Martyn Chabry and her husband Rafael de Carlo toured Denmark with Circus Benneweis in 2014. Martyn, who is the daughter of the clown Toto Chabri, was also with Benneweis in 1998 and 2005.

The clown Francesco (Francis Brunard) has had several seasons at Benneweis, most recently in 2005, and has also appeared several times in the Swedish circuses Brazil Jack and Maximum. Photo: Roy Himsel, shot in Circus Maximum in 2016.

Other shows in Norway. The Swedish contemporary circus Cirkör is on the new mini tour with a METOO theme. The Norwegian artist Christer Pettersen, who has previously performed at Monti, Soleil, the Olympics opening in London and Arnardo, is on tour in Norway with his girlfriend Mara with the performance Fisken and Plasten. Arr. Eskil Rønningsbakke.

2 March 2019

Circus Baldoni in Ishøj Bycenter 2019. Jacob Boas Leitisstein saw the performance in week 8 (winter holiday week in some municipalities in the Køge Bay area) and writes (my translation):

Since 2016 every year there has been a winter performance with Cirkus Baldoni in Ishøj City Center. This year it was once again Baldoni who was responsible for the entertainment during the winter holidays.

When the performance began on February 21 there were lots of people round the ring. René Baldoni welcomed and suddenly, among the audience, one of the members of the Trio Sáközi appeared. He was dressed as a shoplifter and should of course be caught. This was done by the other two members, and it developed into a high speed acrobatic act.

Then René came back with his ventriloquist doll the lion Leonardo in order to present the clown in the performance. The clown Danilo is no longer with Baldoni, so the audience should meet a new clown: the Danish clown Don Carlos. He came straight from Aarhus, where he had participated in Circus Krone’s winter performances. First entrée with Don Carlos was his violin act where he played the violin in many different ways.

Don Carlos. All photos are shot by Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The next act was the Danish foot juggler Nathalie Enoch Fröchte. A nice act where she both juggled with scarfs, basketballs and hula hoops.

Nathalie Enoch Fröchte

After Nathalie's act Don Carlos was back again - this time as "graceful" tight wire dancer. He placed the wire on the floor, but the children shouted loudly that the wire of course should go up in the air. So it did, but he did quite not manage to show tight wire dancing …

Last act in the performance was a fast-paced juggler entrée performed by Trio Sáközi. A nice act that really filled the entire ring.

Trio Sáközi. Click here to see more photos from the show.

Finally, all artists came in the ring and sang Baldoni's farewell song.

25 February 2019

Enoch's Circus Show. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Rosengaardcentret, Odense on 13 February at 13 and writes (my translation):

It was true circus. It run for 45 minutes.

It is the 30th time there is a winter circus in the Rosengaardcentret. For the past 8 years, the producer has been Jimmy Enoch. And immediately as he comes cycling into the ring and welcomes you, you can feel that he passionate for circus - the circus that is close to his heart and which he himself is an integral part of.

Jimmy Enoch. All photos shot by Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The performance was opened by Sharon Berousek. She walks in the footsteps of her father Mario Berousek. But what she can - unlike him – is to do the splits with 5 clubs in rotation. As a final trick, she did what is his trademark: speed juggling. And it must be taken for face value. A furious pace where the 3 clubs rotate so fast that look like mill wheels.

Sharon Berousek

The clown Don Christian is seen before in Denmark - in circus Benneweis. He presented the clown entrée where he plays bells and needs a child from the audience to help. It was a boy who literally had to give him a kick in his ass. With a big club, the boy was to give Don Christian's "backing" a proper kick. The back cover was a large pan. But then something happened: the boy became unsafe and scared. Don Christian quickly realized this and handed him over to his father before inviting another teenager to swing the club.

Don Christian

Next we saw Peter Sarger, who with a bunch of playful dogs provoked laughter. Not least the gag that originates from Old Regnas, where a naughty dog ​​topples a garbage can - to tease Peter Sarger, who is sweeping the ring clean of paper. And the dogs jumped, ran, rolled and barked before leaving the ring walking in a line. The largest dog in front, the others in sequence with the forepaws resting on the back of the dog that goes ahead.

Thai Ferreira worked in vertical rope - black as her costume. She entered the ring with a cowl making her look both as a nun and a witch. But she threw the cowl and gave a nice show in the discipline that is inevitably in any circus performance.

Don Christian then came back. This time with it - worn out? – rock band gag. This gag is also difficult to avoid if you regularly visit the circus.

But then came the final act - the main number. Armando Liazeed walks in his parents' footsteps. He is an outstanding handstand acrobat - absolutely unique. It's so clean, so real, so hard. There is nothing but what you can see. Yet one does not believe one's own eyes. And his attitude: proud, but not boastful. Superb - and he knows it! But he never showed off. And the final tricks: head jump over a plank and jump on one hand up and down a staircase's 8 steps. It is an act one can see again and again - and each time with wonder and respect.

Armando Arano Liazeed. Click here to see more photos from the show.

25 February 2019

Circus Mascot had well-attended performances in the HerningCenter in week 7 and in Aalborg Storcenter in week 8. Photos by courtesy of Daniel Deleuran, shot at the performances in Herning.

17 February 2019

Circusland - Winter holidays 2019. Jacob Boas Leitisstein visited Circusland in the winter holidays and writes (my translation)

"The pirates go on new adventures" - this was how the headline of Cirkusland’s winter program 2019 wrote. The theme of the park was thus still a mixture of pirates and circus. Circusland still attaches great importance to live entertainment in the form of various shows, and during the winter holidays you could both see pirate shows, children's shows, circus performances and sea lion show.

The pirates in Circusland. All photos: Jacob Boas Leitisstein

The day started out with a pirate show on the "stage" at the large sea lion pool. The pirate show featured lots of artistry in pirate dress. The first feature was Patrick Harrison's dog act - the same act that you could see in Circus Arena last year. Then there was a fire show with the fakir Abdullah. Finally, a short sea lion show with two of Cirkusland's sea lions.

After the lunch break, the little stage in the playground set the frame for the children's show with Kalle Kanonkugle. The children's show featured two artists. First it was Oliver Berdino with his juggling act. Then then came the Navratil family on the stage to perform a short knife-throwing act.

Oliver Berdino

In Circus Landino's ring you could, as usual, experience a classic circus performance with artists, animals and clowns. The performance was presented by Suzanne Berdino, who also began the performance with liberty horses. Then came last year's winner of the circus prize’s talent award, Charmaine Berdino, entered the ring along with her horses Orion and Meloso. Excellent liberty dressage!

Charmaine Berdino

The clown of the show was called Luigi - he had several run-ins where he included the audience. Another act from last year's Arena show could also be seen: foot juggling with Jan Navratil. The next act was a Landino classic: magic with Duo Biasini. The performance ended with dromedaries and llamas presented by Rudi Althoff.

The last show in the Circusland program was the sea lion show presented by Pip and Patrick Harrison. This time all Cirkusland’s sea lions participated - Luna, Sally and Oscar.

Pat Harrison with one of Circusland's sea lions. Click here to see more photos from Circusland during the winter holidays

16 February 2019

The photographer Mr. Sputnik (aka Per Krogh Petersen) saw Charlie and Binalto from Circus 3 at Bjerringbro Library on February 14th. Click here to see more photos and video clips from the show.

15 February 2019

Reviews of more of the Danish winter holidays performances can be seen when this website is updated on 9 March.

14 February 2019

During the winter holidays in week 7 the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen, has presented shows with the ventriloquist Peter Nørgaard and circus fun and creative workshop for children. Photos: The Circus Museum

12 February 2019

Danish Circus Krone winter circus. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in the concert hall in Aarhus on Monday 11 February at 14 and writes (my translation):

Circus is tradition. In Circus Krone, it is a tradition that Irene Thierry welcomes the audience. She calls for you to greet the person standing next to you and then for everyone to bow to her. It is also a tradition that she says goodbye to the audience and assures that the entrance fee is not wasted - but used for rolls the next morning. Thus, circus is tradition.

But circus is also renewal. New in circus Krone is that the two musicians in the Krone Band, director Frank Thierry and his brother Marc, enter the ring and greet the audience before they sit down with their instruments and play the Krone tune  (which also is one of the traditions) . Tradition and renewal with few seconds of interval.

And then the circus' surprise. The audience should preferably, one or more times, be involved in thinking: that’s impossible. And the great surprise in Krone’s winter performance is Leonid Beljakov. His two dog acts if far better than the dog acts you otherwise can see in a circus. His first entrée is with 5 dogs of different size and appearance. They cannot just jump, roll and do what a happy dog ​​normally does. He gets further with his dog art. They can walk on the hind legs - forward and backward. They can walk on slack wire. A dog is standing on its hind legs in his hand while he makes a somersault. They climb around his neck. They balance on his feet while he is lying on his back. It is the best dog act I have seen for years

A world class dog act. All photos shot by Jørna Bækmark

And his second entrée is with a single dog - a boxer. It behaves as if it has a human mind. It lies on its back and sleeps. It stretches and shake hands when he wakes it. It can balance with a stick. And finally, it gives a concert. Leonid plays on mouth organ – the dog howls. As I said: it is dog acts of amazing high level.

The juggler Kasparas Bujanavkas is a young talent. He owns the juggler's quivering excitement, and his juggling is stylish, fast-paced - and he has a strong charisma. His first act is juggling with 3 cigar boxes, after which he collects 19 boxes in a long row between his two hands. The last one he picks up from the floor - with his foot. His second entrée is a festive juggling with balls, clubs and rings. He not only uses his hands, but lets the balls jump to and from his body - and behind the body. A juggler evokes joy and admiration. And he certainly does. And the person sitting next to me asked me in astonishment: how many thousands of hours has he spent learning it? They may not be counted. But hard work isn’t enough. Talent also needed. And Kaspares got talent!

Kasparas Bujanavkas from Lithuania is a young super talent. He won Lithuania's version of Got Talent 2017

The clown Don Carlos had many small run-ins. And his make-up is good. There is something rural about him - while being a little childishly naive and having an indomitable optimism. He never gives up even if everything is teasing - but knows how to save the situation and get the laughter on his side. And then his make-up has a touch of madness. A clown is not raving mad, but he is in a borderland between the clever, the calculating and the unlikely, where madness lurks somewhere out on the horizon. Don Carlos balances well with the many facets and modes of expression of the clown.

It was a really nice hour. And the audience was well satisfied. You could hear the comments on your way out. And after a bright and good experience like this, one gets strengthened in your belief that the true, classic circus will survive. It is so strong that nothing can beat it. It is so genuine, so vivid, and so authentic and unites tradition and renewal in a way that no other art form can do.

From the final in Krone’s winter performance

11 February 2019

As always, Benny Schumann's winter holiday performances in Elsinore City Centre draw many visitors, including kindergartens. This was also the case at the premiere on February 11 at 11 on this year's performance. The waiting time before a performance begins can be long for kids. Benny kept the pleasant tradition of letting children help him with a bit of magic tricks and plate spinning 10-15 minutes before the performance began.

Lots of expectant spectators. They were certainly not disappointed

Benny started the performance of ​​balancing a knife on his forehead, spinning with a dish and doing the splits while balancing a shoe on the forehead. Impressive that 73-year-old Benny Schumann still can do it!

This trick would be impressive also if done by a much younger artist

Next came the Swedish juggler Erik Ivarsson in the ring juggling with clubs even while he bowed backwards (see photo). Elegant and with great charm.

Erik Ivarsson turned out to be a very versatile and skilled artist

Benny Schumann now did his number with chair balancing before Erik Ivarsson came back and had first 5, since 6 and finally 7 balls in the air.

It is 51 years ago, Benny had his debut as a plate spinning juggler. But he still masters the art with the 6 spinning and 6 dancing plates. And with an elegance, charm and routine that by far exceeds most other and much younger plate spinning jugglers.

Benny Schumann and his dancing plates. After 51 years still a top act

After a hand- and headstand act with Erik Ivarsson, Benny did magic and got help from a boy from the audience. The magic entrée closed as a ventriloquist entrée with Hunni, who presented the next cat: Dog Dancing with Louise Vig and the Ausssie dog Cherie.

Dog dancing is a modern dog sport that is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, and dance that allows for creative interaction between dogs and their owners. Great that Benny Schumann this year had found such an act instead of a more traditional dog act. No doubt that the dog also enjoyed dancing with her partner.

Louise Vig and Cherie

The last act in the performance was Erik Anderson, now on monocycles of different sizes and with elements of juggling. An impressive act and a number that could easily have been presented in large circuses as Schumann and Benneweis!

Erik Ivarsson's final trick - a world-class act

10 February 2019

WinterCircus 2019, produced by Isabella Enoch Sosman. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Søby-Højslev Arena on 9 February at. 15 and writes (my translation):

WinterCircus - a child of Danish circus Trapez - visits in the winter holidays 9 arenas in Jutland and on Funen.

The premiere in Højslev offered a varied and rich program. David Sosman was ringmaster, and his mother Isabella Sosman was present - discreet but visible - together with her spouse Bernhard Kaselowsky

The overall figure in the performance was the clown Rudi Brukson - a skilled clown, whose happy charm and mimicry one felt comfortable with. And then he could do what some clowns can't do: he could find his way out of the ring while one was thinking: couldn’t he stay a bit longer. Thus, before you start thinking: when is he finished? The art of “knowng when to stop” is not mastered by all clowns! His first entrée was the one where he tries his luck as a cook, and everything goes wrong - which is also the intention.

Rico Brukson was a tennis racket juggler. He juggled up to 5 rackets in a routine, and of course he juggled with balls on the rackets - surprisingly, because a racket is meant to send the balls over the net, but not to let the balls dance on the rackets.

The clown then had to fight with a treacherous snake that lived inside a large jar. But the snake casted off the slough - and turned into a dancing bird. Nancy Brukson presented a classic tissue act before Rico juggled a plate on a stick, which plate however was glued to the stick.

Animals belong to the circus. 5 goats were presented by Noah and Nynne Samuelsen - assisted by Bernhard Kaselowsky.

Goats in the ring. All photos: smartphone photo, shot by Jørgen Lorenzen

After the break it was time for Henry Fröchte, assisted by his daughter Nathalie. He presented his beautiful, robust foot juggler act. It was new that it wasn’t any longer with an Indian look but with a pirate look. The totem pole, however, had moved over to the pirate camp - easily recognizable from the Winnetou edition of his classic foot juggling act.

The pirate Henry Fröchte

And then there came nostalgia in the ring. Isabella's old, red solo trapeze which she used in her life as a trapeze star was now being used by the 12-year-old Nynne Samuelsen. Nynne is educated at the Circus Factory (a Danish youth circus) by Einar Trie. And she is an upcoming artist. Behind an almost confused seriousness, one knew that she has already acquired the professional artist's attitude: proud but not boastful. Happy, but not stuck-up. And with a strong physics she showed difficult tricks, for example hanging in one knee.

An upcoming star? 12-year-old Nynne Samuelsen

Clown Rico had to get help from a boy from the audience. The boy should help juggling plates on sticks. And then time had come for David Sosman's act. A new juggling entrée where his former a little heavy prop which was needed to get the balls back in surprising angles, was replaced by a podium on which he showed both juggling and bouncing - with 6 balls.

Simona Rhodin juggled with big hoops and the act became a mixture of juggling and hula hoop. The clown played on bells - with the audience's help. One of the bells was whistling, yet it became O sole mio. The performance was closed with Edi la Fortes dog act - well-presented, funny and fast-paced, as dog acts often can be.

It was a well-planned performance that had deserved a larger audience than the almost 200 people who had found their way from Skive and the surrounding area to the arena, which is located in a suburb of Skive.

6 February 2019

Additional artist for Enoch's Circus Show. Jimmy Enoch tells that he has now booked an additional artist for his winter holiday performances in the Rosengaard Shopping Center in Odense: the young Czech juggler Sharon Berousek. She is the daughter of the world's fastest juggler Mario Berousek. The Danish audience saw her in Circus Arena in 2013. The following year she toured with Swedish Cirkus Brazil Jack.

5 February 2019

At the Danish version of this website you can read the former Danish circus queen Agnete Louise Enochs report from this Monte Carlo festival. On the photo above you can see Agnete together with her mother Solvej Enoch. As the Monte Carlo Festival isn’t Danish or Scandinvian news I haven’t translated Agnetes’ review to English. However, the Dansh newspaper reviewer Rud Kofoed of Ajour Press took at lot of wonderful photos durring the festial. Such photos might also be of interest for non-Scandinavian readers. Thus, you can find link to some of his photos below.

Click here to see photos from Royal Circus de Gia Eradze tableau blanc’s gold clown awarded act. All photos : Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Click here to see photos from Martin Lacey JR’s gold clown awarded act

Click here to see photos from Troupe Alievs act and the other silver clow awarded acts.

Click here to see photos from the Joy Gärtner families act and the other bronze clown awarded acts. On the photo above: Francy Gärtner together with the 50 year old elephant Thai. Thai was in 1969 as a 9 month old elefant calf bought from an elephant farm in Thailand by Danish Circus Benneweis. After season 1995 Diana Benneweis sold her elephants, including Thai, to a German Safari Park which to her surprise and disaffection immediately transferred them to other circuses. Thai has now for many years been owned by the Gärtner family.

3 February 2019

New circus cinema website. The photographer Mr. Sputnik aka Per Krogh Petersen has created a website with many of the videos he has recorded when visiting the Danish circuses. Click here to visit his website

1 February 2019

Circus in the winter holidays. As in previous years, you can see circus performances etc. in many venues all-over Denmark in the weeks 7 and 8, where the Danish schoolchildren have winter holidays. The children only have one week's holiday. Whether it is in week 7 or 8 changes from municipality to municipality.

Here is an overview of what you can see this year. Further information on time of performances etc. in What’s on.

In Copenhagen and on Zealand

Circus Panik's winter show (small family show)

This year's winter show is called "Did We Remember Grandma?" and can be seen from 9 to 16 February in Panik's small circus building in Vanløse, Copenhagen. The address is Skjulhøj Allé 21, 2720 Vanløse.

The Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen

Performance with the ventriloquist Peter Nørgaard from Monday 11 February to Friday 15 February. Dailey at 11. Circus and creative workshop both in week 7 and week 8. In the weeks mentioned also open Friday.

Benny Schuman's winter circus in Elsinore City Center

Benny Schumann present from 11 to 17 February winter holiday shows in Elsinore City Center. In addition to Benny, the performers are the Swedish bike artist Erik Ivarsson and Dog Dancing with Louise Vig and her dogs. Free admission,

Benny Schumann between Cherie and Hunni. The latter is an entriloquists’doll.

Erik Ivarsson's love for the unicycle began as he a nine-year-old boy visited the Swedish circus school 'Ludvika Minicircus'. When he was 12 he got his first job as artist: one month's contract with the amusement park Liseberg in Gothenburg. It was just the beginning. His skills have since led him to the big stages all over the world. Click here to see a short video clip from his act.

Circus Land in Aarslev by Slagelse

Circusland is a theme park situated in Circus Arena’s winter quarters. From 9 to 18 February there is open every day from 10 to 16.

Circusland writes (my translation) :

During the day you have the opportunity to see different shows. The internationally renowned sea lion trainer Patrick Harrison visits us, and he present Circusland's own sea lions Luna, Sally and Oscar in a splendid sea lion show. In addition, you can meet Kalle Canonball and his pirate friends when they entertain children and childish souls on the stage in the playground. In the big circus performance you can e.g. meet the Italian pizza clown Luigi, horses, dromedaries, llamas, talented artists and much more. It is all presented by Suzanne Berdino.

Patrick Harrison is also known for his dog act Hot dogs, which he has sometimes presented under the artist name Pat Clarrison. He is the little brother to the former sea lion trainer Inge Stiebner, who has now stopped working with sea lions.

Circus Big

February 11 to 14 in Vestsjællandscentret, Slagelse. The performers are Mr. Big and Andreas Magic. Free admission

Baldoni's winter circus in Ishøj City Center

18 to 23 February: Ishøj City Center, Copenhagen. The performers are René Mønster Baldoni, the Hungarian jugglers Trio Sáközi, the clown Don Carlos and foot juggler Nathalie Enoch Fröchte.

Trio Sáközi is among the performers when Baldoni present winter circus in Ishøj city center

On Funen

Enoch’s Circus Show is produced by Jimmy Enoch and can be seen in Rosengårdcentret in Odense from Monday 11 to Saturday 16 February. You can see everything from clowns and acrobatics to bike shows and animal acts. Free admission

In the approx. 45 minutes long performance you will meet.

Jimmy Enoch

Armando Liazeed, hand balancing from Cuba.

Many Danes will remember Armando Arano Liazeed from Circus Dannebrog 2016. That year, he was also among the 3 nominees for the prize for the year's best act from The Danish Circus Award. A clear stamp of quality, even though it was not him who got the prize.

Thai Ferreira, aerial act from Brazil

Don Christian, clown from Austria

Don Christian is known and loved by Danes from several seasons in Circus Benneweis.

Peter Taylor, dog act from Germany.

Peter Taylor. Last year, the audience on Zealand could see his cheerful act as a porter with teasing dogs in Benny Schumann's winter performance in Elsinore City Centre

In Jutland

Isabella Enoch Sosman's Winter Circus.

From 9 to 18 February, Isabella Enoch Sosman presents winter circus in 7 arenas in Jutlland and 2 arenas in the western part of Funen.

The performers are:

Edi La Forte - dogs

Rudi and Irena Brukson - clowns

Rico Brukson - tennis racket juggler

Nancy Brukson - tissue

Simona Danailova Rhodin – tight wire and hula hoop

Nynne - trapeze

Nynne and Noah Hulsig Samuelsen - goats

Henry and Nathalie Fröchte - pirate style foot juggling

David Sosmann is ringmaster and juggler, but with a different act than presented in Circus Trapez in 2018.

Simona Rhodin is the adoptive daughter of Swedish Diana Rhodin and has regularly appeared in her Circus Rhodin.

Nathalie is the daughter of Henry Fröchte and Katja Enoch. She toured with Circus Trapez's in 2018. After Isabella's winter performances she continues to Baldoni's winter circus in Ishøj city center. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Circus Krone in Aarhus Music House

11th to 19th of February, Danish Circus Krone invites you to a winter circus in Aarhus Music Hall.

In the press release, Cirkus Krone writes (my translation):

It is a tradition for Danish Circus Krone and the Thierry family to visit the Music Hall in Aarhus during the winter holidays.

After last year's generational change, it is now official with Frank Thierry as CEO.

With us this time is Leonid Beljakov - one of the world's best dog trainers whom we have wanted to present ever since we saw him first time in Circus Roncalli. Now we have finally succeeded and we look forward to presenting Leonid and his fantastic, talented, four-legged friends.

Kasparas Bujanaukas, which we had the great pleasure of working with on this summer's tour, in fact so great a pleasure that we have brought him back here for the winter holidays. Kasparas is an amazingly talented juggler, it was therefore fully deserved when he ran with the victory in Lithuania’s Got Talent in 2017. A great international career is undoubtedly waiting for him in the future. We are very proud of being able to present his great talent once again.

We are also very proud that the Danish clown Don Carlos has chosen to spend the winter holiday with us.

Grandma Irene will in the usual way lead the audience safely through the performance, in collaboration with Frank.

In our legendary Krone Band, as always, Marc Thierry sits behind the drums and provides the right circus atmosphere. He does this in collaboration with Frank, who controls the keyboard.

Circus Mascot

Circus Mascot visits Herning Center in week 7 and Aalborg Storcenter in week 8. Free admission.

The performers are members of the Deleuran family as well as the clown Ulmas / Gulio with family: Mrs Tatyana and their daughter Juliya.

Marianne Deleuran and her poodles are undoubtedly among the performers.

27 January 2019

When the Monte-Carlo Festival does not want to come to Denmark, Danish circus people must go to Monte-Carlo. And they do - and this year more than ever before to be inspired, maybe make an artist booking, or just enjoy some of the circus world's greatest achievements - and meet good colleagues and friends from all around the world. In the group picture is seen from the left Circus Arenas 'son-in-law', Daniel Koscik, married to Suzanne Berdino, next to two who present themselves as incurable circus fans, then Agnete Louise Enoch, her brother Dennie with wife Gitte and mother Solveig Enoch, all from the now closed Circus Dannebrog. The smile on the back row behind Solveig belongs to Lasse Nørager, which many know better as the international clown Bonbon. He himself - along with his wife Tiina - has been in the festival in Monte-Carlo - in 2007 - with great success. In the midst of the entire company Briano Behrendt ("Brianos Circus Travel") In front of him is the always bubbly Irene Thierry from Circus Krone, who has now handed over the responsibility for the small circus to her son Frank, who is seen next to the artist Line Vittrup, who last season was with the new Zirkus Barnly, Circus Baldoni- director couple René Mønster and Camila Frimann, far right with red nails: Circus Big owner Benjamin Breith. Text and photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press.

22 January 2019

Obituary: Steven Pedersen. The charming sea lion trainer director Steven Pedersen has passed away after some time if illness. He was 58 years old. He was known for his happy number with playful sea lions, which among other things catched rings that children were allowed to throw. He always ended with penguins on the slide. In Denmark, we first saw him in Circus Arena in 1994 and later with Benneweis in 2003 and 2005. He was also involved in several of Benny Schumann's performances. In 2006, he joined in when the family Haddy Enoch produced Circus Kenny for the Rosengård Center in Odense. His performance is known to countless Danish children from the DVD The Animals in Circus. Steven was the son of the English-born sea lion trainer Doreen Pedersen and the Danish bear trainer Henry Petersen. For many years Doreen and Henry lived in a former village school in Farstrup on Funen, where their two sons Hans and Steven also had their sea lions and penguins walking around in pools or in enclosures when they were home.

Steven Pedersen. Photo from Benny Schumann’s Mini Circus 2008

22 January 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- unique and original performances -- THEATRE DE BELLEVILLE proudly presents a unique theatre show, inspired by a journey in NORTH KOREA and conceived to convey a - theatrical - perspective, certainly a humorous one, but all the same a realistic picture of the totalitarian, brutal, absurd and dictatorial rules that guide the everyday life of the population, brainwashed by a never ending propaganda.

Press photos from the performance Corée du nord. Photographer: Alban van Wassenhove

THEATRE DE BELLEVILLE is a rather small one, sporting 100 seats, located in the big CHINATOWN of Paris /there are a number of less important ones/, like many other smaller theatres, it has been built in a space where each tiny spot has been used.

Big stage, perfect lighting and PA-address system, very sympathetic reception of the public, full house, in Paris people love THEATRE!!

This very show is utterly visual, the actors possess an important dynamism, energy and joy of performing, it is spiced up with a number of funny jokes, stage decorations and props for special effects are spectacular, the acting in between the performers is nicely synchronized and lead us to a grand finale that makes place to a firework - a good idea!

ABSOLUTELY worth seeing!!

Actors: OLIVIER LOPEZ, MARIE-LAURE BAUDAIN, ALEXANDRE CHATELIN, LAURA DEFORGE, ADELAIDE LANGLOIS.

See more: www.theatredebelleville.com

Venue:  THEATRE DE BELLEVILLE, 94 rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, 75011  Paris. Metro: BELLEVILLE.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

12 January 2019

Malmö winter circus - a 5 star pleasure.

Can you produce a circus in January and February? The answer is a clear yes: of course you can.

Can you get the audience to visit a circus in January and February, when it is rather cold in the Scandinavian Countries? This is a more difficult question. 24-year-old Albin Ganovic's attempt this year to make winter circus first in Malmö and then in Helsingborg, both cities located in the southern part of Sweden, will show what the answer is. The quality of his winter circus is certainly high: 5 out of 6 possible stars.

Albin tried producing a Christmas circus in Helsingborg in 2013 and 2014. The performances were excellent. The number of visitors was reasonable the first year and disappointing the next year. Since then, Albin has paused with the circus, but each year in the autumn presented performances with artist in his Cabaret Candy Club. Now he is trying his luck with circus in January, where it is probably easier to get good artists than in December, where there are many Christmas circuses in Germany, Holland and other countries south of the Danish/German border.

The tent, which is set up at the Mill Square in Malmö, is rented from the Swedish Circus Olympia.

There is a story in the 2-hour long performance, but it is difficult to follow for those who do not have Swedish as their mother tongue. But it is about the girl Ofelia, who runs away with the circus and ends up being offered to the job as director, a job she leaves to the clown Cito aka Albin Ganovic.

The clown Cito aka the circus producer Albin Ganovic

The show starts with a festive intro with some of Albin's singers and dancers from the Cabaret Candy Club. They also act as assistant stage manager and are the prettiest assistant stage managers I've ever seen! Also the well-playing 6-pieces band is from the Candy Club.

Candy Club singers and dancers – the worlds prettiest ring girls ?

Then the clown Mama comes out of a big box. The role is played by the lovable and popular Swedish actress Marianne Mörck, who in her younger (and slimmer) days both has been Eliaza in the Swedish version of My fair Lady and Maria in the Swedish version of The Sound of Music.

The first artist act is a festive and fast-paced juggler act with Hungarian Tri Sáközi. An excellent way to start a performance.

Tri Sáközi

They are replaced by one of the show's top stars: Cuban Hector Yzquierdo, the male partner of Duo Solys. He shows an incredibly strong hand balancing act, which among other things offers jumps from hand to hand, head balance and then finish with Encho's famous trick with the bricks being pushed away. Impressive! And great to see that the back and neck injuries that bothered him at the end of the 2018 season at Danish Zirkus Nemo seem to be over.

Hector Yzquierdo

The next act was an act in aerial straps with Yosvany Rodriguez.

After a short intermezzo, where the clown Mama juggled with plastic bags, horses came in the ring: Olympia director Niklas Bengtsson presented at big and little act with a Tinker horse and a pony.

Niklas Bengtsson and his horses

Then Hector entered to the ring again, this time together his spouse Tatiana. As Duo Solys they showed their excellent act which brought them bronze at last year's circus festival in Budapest and the prize as the best act of the year in Denmark in 2018. If they came to Monte Carlo it should at least bring them a silver clown. As with Hector's own act it was a pleasure to see that he now seems fit for fight.

Duo Solys. They deserve an invition to Monte Carlo 2020!

After the break there was again a festive feature with the young dancers and singers. It led to the well-known 4 stools gag with 4 male audiences placed on stools which Clown Mama subsequently removed one by one. Pretty considerate of the "victims" she put the stools back in before they got up. Many others let them "collapse".

Then Yosvany Rodriguez came back, this time with his main act on bouncing rope. Pretty much like as in Swedish Circus Scott in 2013 and at Danish Circus Benneweis the following year he makes tremendous leaps and summersaults, though that evening I saw the performance with a little more “drops” than five years ago.

Yosvany Rodriguez

Next, the clown Cito had 3 children in the ring where they were to shoot with spray cans for soap bubbles. A nice and sympathetic entrée where they avoided spraying unreasonable amounts of water in the head of those sitting at ringside chairs.

Last artist in the performance was Silva JR (Weddington Silva), who presented his father Super Silva's famous and daring aerial act. First he walked from the trapeze to another trapeze and then jumped back to the first trapeze. Then the same trip, hanging in his and with a fake accident where one foot slipped out of the loop. Finally with another leap from trapeze to trapeze. Originally, the idea was that the performer should have been Alex Michael, who does a similar number. But Silva JR did the act as good as his father and Alex Michael.

Silva JR

A new act with the two clowns and the singers and the dancers ended the performance. Although the number of artists wasn’t large, it was a beautiful and well-composed performance. Let us hope that there will be visitors enough and that we next year once again can see winter circus in Malmö and Helsingborg.

Click here to see more photos from the performance

12 January 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS   -- one of the most prestigious theatres, viz.  THEATRE -DES-CHAMPS-ELYSEES proudly presents a unique show -   CIRCUS ORCHESTRA, featuring a combination of juggling and classical music!

THEATRE-DES-CHAMPS-ELYSEES is located in one of the most posh areas in Paris, where all the great fashion designers have their boutiques, it is a rather big theatre, rich in traditions, sporting a large space for the audience, and even a three-level gallery, all elegantly conceived, offering a comfy surrounding, the public is welcomed by a staff in black uniforms, supposed to supervise everything.

The very stage area is a large one, thus assuring that the artistic features are enhanced and well cared for.

The entire show is based on the theme "circus and classical music", it is a reminder of the medieval musicians who often had a troupe of jesters to participate in their performances, today we would call them street performers and jugglers.

The combination of jugglers and musicians is very well orchestrated, seldom did I see jugglers of that sky-high level, it was clear that they all had a background of acrobatics, dancing and mime.

Theatre full, audience enthralled, also the kids, standing ovation!!

COMPANY LES OBJETS VOLANTS /flying objects/, DAVID GREILSAMMER, direction,

Jugglers /balls, rings, Indian clubs, of various sizes/:  JEAN-BAPTISTE DIOT, ALEJANDRO ESCOBEDO SOTO,  DENIS PAUMIER, DANIEL SANCHEZ, OLLI VUORINEN.

Musicians: JOANNA HUSZCZA /solo violin/, CECILE DORCHENE, TIMOTI FREGNI, GEMMA LONGONI, YUMI ONDA, KATHARINA PAUL,/all violins/, ADA MEINICH, ELIA PORTABALES, /alto violins/, IRA GIVOL, CELINE BARRICAULT,/cello/, JEREMY BRUYERE, / double bass/, JUSTINE CHARLET, /harpsichord/.

Composers:  BACH, PURCELL, CORELLI, VIVALDI, HAENDEL, LULLY,  MONTEVERDI.

Lightning and special effects: CLOTHILDE HOFFMANN.

Absolutely unique!!

Venue:  THEATRE- DES -CHAMPS-ELYSEES, 15 Avenue MONTAIGNE, 75008 PARIS.

Metro:  ALMA-MARCEAU.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS!!!

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

11 January 2019

Winter circus in Malmö and Helsingborg. Thursday, 10 January was opening day for this year's first Scandinavian circus production: Albin Ganovic’s Malmö Winter Circus, which is presented in Circus Olympia's tent at the Mill Square in Malmö, Sweden.

The popular Swedish actress Marianne Mörck has the role as Clown Mamma and Albin Ganovic as Clown Cito. The performers are Super Silva, Duo Solys, Yosvany and Trio Sarkozi. Furthermore you will meet Niklas Bengtsson from Circus Olympia with horses.

The Danes know the daredevil Super Silva from Circus Dannebrog 2012, Duo Solys from Zirkus Nemo 2016 and 2018, which year The Danish Circus Award voted them as the best act of the year, and Trio Sarkozi from Circus Trapez 2014. Yosvany was with Circus Benneweis in 2014.

There is a story in the performance, spoken by the Swedish actress Eva Rydberg. The story is about little Ofelia, who runs away with the circus and ends as a circus director.

The ensemble consists of Rebecca Karlsson, Josefine Sebring, Felicia Daxberg, Julia Kristoffersson, Isabelle Hultqvist, Matilda Ek, Emma Ekelund. The six-piece circus band consists of Viktor Lundahl, Joel Selsfors, Kasper Hellström, Ludvig Collden, Olle Hellbring, Lucas Gulbing.

There are performances on the weekends (including Fridays) in Malmö until 20 January. Then the performance is moved to Helsingborg, where it under the name Helsingborg Winter Circus can be seen at the square next to Sofiero Castle in the weekends 26/27 January and 2/3 February. See more at http://malmovintercirkus.se/ and http://helsingborgvintercirkus.se/

A review with photos can be seen at this website next Saturday.

7 January 2019

Some Of It Happens In London.

Our British friend John Cooper writes:

As regular readers will be aware the Cirque Berserk production of Martin "Zippo" Burton has appeared in Winter Wonderland within London's Hyde Park from mid-November until early January.

Every day (except Christmas Day itself) there were three shows each evening at 6, 7 and 8, with each show lasting some 50 minutes. Thus there is a very quick turnaround between performances.

Music is recorded, and there are neither announcements, nor a printed programme, so I shall mention few acts.

In order to keep up the pace, most acts are split in to two or more sections, or cut a great deal. Every performer has been re-costumed and given new music, so that you are not seeing "act as known". Not that that matters to the general public.

Illusionist Kim Kenneth (The Dane In The Fast Lane) has two main spots, along with partner Jessica Caveagna.

Having produced Jessica from a fire prop, Kim crushes her to nothing before she reappears safely, only to be chained in another cabinet through which Kim rides a motorcycle. Followed swiftly by two riders from the Globe of Death act. The prop is removed with Jessica still in place, thus avoiding dead time.

Kim Kenneth and Jessica. All photos shot by the outstanding English circus photographer Andrew Payne.Andy Payne

In their second appearance, Jessica is vanished from within a cabinet, emerging with another girl. She is then secured in a large box through which blades descend mere seconds before she is found in the audience.

Kim Kenneth and Jessica Caveagna. Photos: Andy Payne

In the show's finale, Kim produces many of the performers from an empty cage.

Jessica's own sword-and-dagger number is cut to just one climb of the ladder, but she sells it as well as ever.

Jessica Caveagna. Photos : Andy Payne

Those who saw Cirkus Dannebrog in 2016 will remember the juggling act of The Centners, with Danny juggling on the back of a quad-bike. In Berserk he works with fluorescent clubs and fire clubs.

The Centners in Cirque Berserk

One other act I must mention is the balancing number of Alan and Rafael, which I've seen billed under various names. The selling point is that Rafael (the top-mounter) is a wheelchair user; a fact which is not hidden. He is an inspiration.

There is little doubt that a production of Cirque Berserk will appear in a 2019/2020 Winter Wonderland, with Zippo's Christmas Circus in the same tent earlier in the day. It is sure to be worth a visit.

4 January 2019

The circus prince who hates the limelight. On Monday 7 January Jackie Berdino, Circus Arena, can celebrate his 50 years birthday. As son of Benny and Hanne Berdino, it was given that he would have a life in the circus. From 1978 to 1986 the audience met him in Circus Arena’s ring with e.g. ponies, horses and zebras. Jackie, however, did not have his older sister Suzanne's pleasure in performing and therefore quickly decided that he was more useful backstage than in the ring. The joy of performing jumped a generation over to Jackie's oldest son Patrick, whom the Berdino family has chosen to launch as Circus Arenas crown prince. However although Jackie is not nearly as visible as Papa Benny and his son Patrick he is certainly involved in the circus operation. For many years, he has booked the artists and been involved in staging the performances and much more of the "background work" needed to run a circus. While Jackie, as mentioned, does not show up in the ring, in addition to his son Patrick, Mrs. Laura, whom he married in 2009, is a permanent feature in the Arena performances with beautiful horses in liberty. Also their joint daughter Scarlet has sometimes participated in the performances.

Jackie Berdino. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

4 January 2019

Danish circuses in 2019. Here is an overview in alphabetical order of the circuses that will tour Denmark in 2019, as well as an overview of performers in the individual circus. Many of the artist names have previously been mentioned on this website.

Circus Arena: Season opening at ‘Bellahoj’ in Copenhagen on March 20th. The show's ringmaster is Bubber. The performing artists are Duo Costache with a brand new aerial act, Diorios with their globe of death, Andrejs Fjodorovs with pigeons, Oleg Izossimov with handstand, Kolev Sisters with hand to hand acrobatics, The Flying Wulbers in flying trapeze, Laura Berdino with horses in liberty, exotics from Cirkus Arena’s stables and Cirkus Arenas clown for many years Jimmy Folco.

Circus Arli: Season opening in Fløng (Copenhagen suburb) at the end of March. Names of performers have not yet been published.

You can for sure meet the clowns Martino & Co. in Circus Arli

Circus Baldoni: Premiere in Lyngby (Copenhagen suburb) on 23 March. In addition to the director René Mønster Baldoni you can among others meet the illusionist Kim Kenneth, Abu Brothers with their Risley act and the clown / comedian Peytchev Plamen Metodiev. Included in the program should also be a knife thrower, a tempo juggler and a Japanese tight wire dancer.

For the second year in row the illusionist Kim Kenneth and his girlfriend Jessica are part of Baldoni's performance. But with completely different tricks than those they presented in 2018

Zirkus Barnly will this year follow Zirkus Nemo (both circuses are owned by the comedian Søren Østergaard) and visit 3 cities: Aarhus (6 to 30 June), Copenhagen (7 August to 1 September) and Odense (4 to 15 September). Captain Frodo is again the main attraction. Frodo can also be seen in Zirkus Nemo

Just as in 2019, Norwegian Captain Frodo is the main star in Zirkus Barnly. Photo: Rud Kofoed / Ajour Press

Circus Krone: Season opening date not yet published. Names of performers have not yet been published.

Like the country's other circuses, Circus Krone hopes on lots of people queuing at the circus box

Circus Mascot: Season opening date not yet published. Apart from members of the Deluran family and the clown Gulio and his family, the names of the performers have not yet been published.

Marianne Deleruan presents both dogs and goats and mini pigs. Here photographed with a goat. Photo: Mr. Sputnik aka Per Krogh Petersen

Zirkus Nemo: Season opening on 18 April in Horsens. In the performance you will meet Søren Østergaard, the rubber man Captain Frodo, the handstand artists Duo Kvas, the juggling duo Menno and Emily van Dyke and the Finnish magician with pigeons Marko Karvo.

Zirkus Nemo's artists are always excellent. But the big drawbar is probably the director himself, not least when he acts as the smash man. Press photo from Zirkus Nemo. Photographer Steen Brogaard.

Circus Trapez: Season opening day not yet published. In the performance you will meet the Indian boy Yakari and the pony Little Thunder, Bernhard Kaselowsky, who preset Frisian liberty horses as well as the Friesian horse Frederik and the little pony Bonito in a big and small act. Furthermore you will meet the Saabel family with their beautiful Siberian husky dogs, Kelly Saabel with handstand, Jennifer Saabel as foot juggler, Randy and Mila with an aerial straps act and Romany May with another aerial act, probably in tissue. The clown in the performance is Michael Cadima, who also has a juggling entrée.

2 January 2019

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS ---  during the CHRISTMAS festivities - a great number of shows could be seen.

From 5 to 29 December ESPACE PARIS-PLAINE, a beautiful theatre, sponsored by the local  TOWNHALL, proudly presented MIRAGES /same word in English/  a concept that make people think of -  mirages , i.e. the wonderful, the dreams and poems.

This show, by and with FRANK DESMAROUX and friends: SVETLANA ZINDOVIC, ROMANE CHANDELIER, MELL DESMAROUX, NANCY MOUTARDE, DANTE DESMAROUX, ERIC VARELAS, background decorations by HIPPOLYTE ROMAIN, choreography by JOHAN NUS.

The stage setting is beautiful and original, it creates the right atmosphere and enhances the artists' performances, they all excel featuring various specialities, single and formation juggling, elegant balancing, contortion, clowning and comedy, acrobatics with and without dancing stunts, several aerial features, aerial ring, tissues like the vertical rope.

All photos by courtesy of La Lanterne Magique

I particularly liked the becoming and colorful costumes, certainly created for this very purpose, the joy of performing was clear and obvious - a feeling that the artists conveyed over to the audience who expressed their joy by applauding strongly.

The music was tuned down to a reasonable and palatable level, thus being what it should be - a back up to the artists' features!!

At the end of the show, everyone left in an excellent mood, after an unforgettable experience.

Point of interest must be that the young audience had got a feeling of the joy of watching LIVE ENTERTAINMENT instead of electronic one, this confirming the importance of French theatre tradition, still well alive and kicking since MOLIERE's time !!

ABSOLUTELY WELL WORTH SEEING!!

See more:  www.lalanternemagique.eu

Venue:  ESPACE PARIS-PLAINE, 13 rue du General GUILLOMAT, 75015 PARIS. Metro: PORTE DE VERSAILLES, then one can take the tramway or walk for about 30 min.

IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!

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

1 January 2019.

This website close to had 30.000 visitors in 2018. The news section, being a eekly internet magazine, and the tour list (“What’s on) are usually updated every Saturday. Apart from news and tour list the website has pages with facts about Danish circuses, Danish circus families etc. Links to those pages can be found at the bottom of the opening page

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