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From Denmark

and other Scandinavian countries

A weekly updated internet magazine

Last updated : 1. November 2024

1 November 2024

 

Circus Arena 2025. Circus Arena writes (my translation):

 

In 2025, Circus Arena celebrates its 70th anniversary with Bubber and Malene Qvist at the head of a new spectacular show for the whole family. In the 70th anniversary show, you will meet a unique combination of artists performing for the first time in Circus Arena, as well as the super league of the very best artists who have enchanted our audience over the years

 

Look forward to, among other things to experience impressive illusions, completely amazing tight wire dancing, the world's best juggler with a total of 33 Guinness World Records, elegant horses, enchanting aerial acrobatics and a string of clowns, wonderful songs and surprises. There will be plenty to talk about afterwards!

 

 

Until now, Circus Arena has published the following artist names:

 

Steven Ferreri – tight wire

 

Michael Ferreri - juggler

 

The two brothers were also with Arena in 2023.

 

The magician Christofer Eötvö. Christofer performed in Circusland in the 2024 summer season.

 

Circus Arena's house clown Jimmy Folco

 

William Tournoud – rola bola in trapeze. He comes from France and has not previously performed in Denmark.

 

David Hammarberg - aerial act. He was also with Arena in 2023 and 2024.

 

Duo Costache. It is Leonardo and Vita Costache's 6th season at Circus Arena.

 

More artist names will be announced soon.

 

There is season opening on “Bellahoj” in Copenhagen on 25 March. Circus Arena is the largest circus in the Nordic countries.

 

 

1 November 2024

 

Circus Baldoni 2025. Cirkus Baldoni tell that for the 2025 season they have re-engaged the clown José Michel. They have also engaged one of José and Giulia Michel's daughters, Quincy Azzario, who in 2012, together with her sister Katie, won a silver clown in Monte Carlo for their act Azzario Sisters. The duo stopped after the 2015 season when Katie married the big cat trainer Alexander Lacey. Quincy has since performed solo. Among the other performers in Circus Baldoni are Diana Boiachin, who was also with Baldoni in 2023 and 2024, as well as jugglers and acrobats. Just as in 2024, the performance is presented by Mickey Juel Prüssing.

 

There is season opening on 5 April.

 

 

23 October 2024

 

Halloween show in Kolding Shopping Mall. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance on 19 October at 13 and 15 and writes (my translation):

 

The centre square was transformed. A large labyrinth filled most of the area, and inside the labyrinth there were cobwebs, spiders, skeletons, witches, monsters - and indeed two scary clowns.

 

But it was on the stage outside the labyrinth that the circus acts was shown. Were we in a marketplace? Were we at the funfair? Were we at a freak show? Probably a little bit of everything. Lasse Nørager, Joakim and Julia led us together with other artists into a universe where the unbelievable happens right before our noses and the impossible suddenly becomes reality. The lively and vibrant universe of the clown and the artist. – an extension of or a response to the everyday life we ​​live in. Fascinating, festive, colourful and beautiful. And at Halloween time also a bit disturbing.

 

Lasse Nørager - in his impressive, white plus fours and with a uniform that gives associations in all possible directions - was announcer/compere. With relevant presentations and language brands, he gave extra life to the performance. Julia was presented as "the student who avoided Egtved girls' school." It was "horribly funny", and the artist with whiplash could "whip up a mood", and another had to go "back to the baker".

 

 

Lasse "Bonbon" Nørager in uniform. All photos are taken by Anny Skjøth Schaldemose

 

There were no seats, but a large floor space where children could sit: "When you sit, you won't fall if you faint." And so on.

 

 

But the show? There was a good selection of the many sketches, performances, skills and quirks that the Nørager family can deliver. And the two performances were not the same. There was plenty to take off - and you can clearly see that both Julia and Joakim are having fun together with the audience. You can feel that they have the artist's infectious pride and joy in amusing, surprising and entertaining the audience.

 

And entertained, we were! Julia showed hair hanging high in the air. We got the old number with the three buckets where a head is stuck up where there is room for it. Joakim blew a toilet roll into space with a hairdryer - then blew up a giant balloon. Along the way, he lost his glasses and had to climb into the balloon to find them - and after many attemps inside the balloon, he stuck his head out - with the glasses on his nose. And we got the unforgettable sketch with the ton-heavy suitcase, which is light as a feather when the right person, a boy from the audience, is allowed to lift it.

 

   

 

The siblings Julia and Joakim Myllykangas. Julie is hanging by her hair and her little brother Joakim has crawled into a balloon.

 

There were also other artists. Tilda and Viktor were parterre acrobats, Heidi Latva swung in a trapeze high up in the air - very high up, and she didn't use a longe. Because Halloween involves horror.

 

 

Heidi Latva

 

And then there was Juma from Tanzania. He was with circus Torment when they visited Denmark last year, and he will be them with when Torment visits Denmark again in 2025. He is a contortionist. And he could tie himself into knots, take his legs on his neck and twist and bend his arms and legs and the whole body in all possible and especially impossible positions. So much so that it almost hurt to look at it. Again, a real Halloween thrill.

 

 

Juma

 

In short: entertainment at a high level, lots of thrills and laughs, jokes and artistry in a classy mix.

 

 

Circus News reporter Jorgen Lorenzen together with Lasse Nørager        

 

 

20 October 2024

 

Circus Trapez. Jørgen Lorenzen saw the performance in Houlkærhallen in Viborg on 17 October at 17 and writes:

 

 

The performance started when all the artists entering the ring. A hat passed from person to person and whoever wore the hat gave a short presentation of their act.

 

Isabella Enoch welcomed and the first act was with animals. 6 ferrets were presented by Svetlana Roslyakova. The little creatures could do everything you usually see in shows with poodles. Surprising, different, astonishing. And good to see for those who like to see animal acts in the circus.

 

 

Svetlana Krachinova. Her daughter Anelya Roslyakova presented a similar act in Circus Benneweis in 2014. All photos are taken by Anny Skjøth Schaldemose

 

The Danish clown Zap, aka Asger Frøkov, was the common thread throughout the performance. He is not well-known in Denmark. It's a shame, because he's a clown of a large format. Experienced, with charm and fine audience contact and perfect timing and ability to use the impulses from the audience. A middle ground between a Storm P. figure and - for the children - a nice old grandfather who couldn't figure anything out, and therefore needed their help and tolerance. And we older people clearly saw that his physiognomy reminded us of Long in the Danish comedian couple Long and Short. His first entrée was the music director gag, where the audience had to clap after his direction. The music sheet was gone and he looked for it in vain. It was in his back pocket, and the children shouted to help him. It was clarified when a child's voice broke through: it's in the ass!

 

Nandor Varadi juggled plates on sticks.

 

 

Zap took a long time to put on his jacket. It was wrongly fitted, and it was stuck, before the children, with shouts and suggestions, finally helped him into the clothes.

 

Then came a dog acts. Two poodles, presented by Stine Marie. Followed by a pony, which was presented by Nikolai.

 

         

 

The brothers Andrii and Mykola Krachinova balanced on a rola-bola board. And on it they performed difficult acrobatic figures and exercises - on a rocking ground. Handstand, headstand, and all the figures that two acrobats can make in perfect harmony. Graceful, focused on strength, elegant – and difficult. The two brothers had no make-up and they worked in "civilian" clothes. Inspiration from contemporary circus?

 

After the interval Svetlana entered the ring with came with 6 cats – domestic cats. When you keep a cat yourself, you know that the beasts has their own will and do nothing on command. But not here! They could crawl, jump, balance, and when they were done, they jumped into their transport boxes. No need to run away!

 

 

Duo Twins - the Krachinova brothers – presented a strong act. Parterre acrobatics, lifting acrobatics and handstand. A mixture – with moments of strength and stillness, but also moments of movement and speed. It requires body control, strength and an expertise that far surpases even the most skilled gymnast. Artistry at a high level.

 

       

 

Nandor Varadi was a classic juggler. Stylish, safe, fast-paced, but with grace and with moments of excitement and charging for the next trick. He juggled 7 balls and 9 rings - so he was at the heavy end of the juggling profession.

 

 

Zap was the leading figure in the performance. He has several clown entrées. Routine, with charm and very good contact with the children. He had many gags, quirks, misunderstandings and mistakes. The children helped him on the right path. His finale was playing the saxophone. But as a true clown, you have no idea what such an instrument is to be used for. The rest of us know better, but the clown is like a child who has to gain the experiences that the adults already have. Is it a tuba, is it a bagpipe, a guitar or a telephone? He found out, the horn finally sounded, and he could ascertain that "the ferry will be in port in a few minutes."

 

 

And then the audience also came ashore and could go home after a good performance. Good flow, many animal acts, pace, versatility – and an excellent clown. The way we old circus fans would a performance to be.

 

 

17 October 2024

 

Circus Dystopia, Marselisborghallen in Aarhus with entrance from the street or from Tivoli Friheden. Jørgen Lorenzen visited Cirkus Dystopia 13 October and writes (my translation):

 

The sports hall Marselisborghallen was as if transformed to something different. The visitors moved about in the twilight. A stage was set up in the middle. Or was it a scaffold? There were scary sounds, shouts and screams. There was scary nightmare music. And there were creatures roaming around – ghosts, apparitions and madmen. Suddenly they were close to you - with prayers, begging, enticing calls or just plain crazy talk, sometimes followed up by physical touches.

 

   

All photos are taken by Anny Skjøth Schaldemose

 

You could visit two labyrinths, which were populated by creepy and supernatural beings, each of which had to illusion a character. There were crippled, tormented, demented madmen - and there were nightmarish creatures from another planet and from the underworld. Or was it a torture chamber?

 

 

 

There was flickering lights, creepy masks, eyes where contact lenses sat with creepy pupils. And there was deranged talk, as if you were staying in a medieval madhouse or a workhouse in Denmark many years ago. Creepy, and perhaps even creepier, that you occasionally made fun of the poor creatures. But OK! You knew it was theatre.

The actors were well masked and imaginatively costumed - lively and at times true to life in their abnormality and madness. There was free rein for the imagination. The actors came from Dystopia Entertainment in Vejle. The many actors clearly got an outlet for their inner madness and wildness. And enjoyed it!

 

   

 

 

Once an hour there was a performance on the stage in the middle of the hall. It began with a sketch in which the lovable Pierrot was transformed. His blood-red mouth took on a literal meaning, and his pure, white face was covered in blood, and black threads hung from his mouth. He wanted to prevent Harlequin and Columbine from getting together, and while Harlequin slumped down on the stage, Pierrot dragged Columbine off.

 

   

Murder in the circus - Pierrot has killed Harlequin

 

And then there were artists engaged by Dark Thrill Entertainment. There was Bozo the Crazy Juggler. Behind the creepy, diabolical masking, one could recognise David Sosman. There was an excellent whip and lasso number – very suitable for the whole set-up. It was presented by Duo Laner, who later came back in with a nice knife-throwing act. There were blindfolded dagger throws against a rotating disc/partner. What was new was that the two actors simultaneously threw knives at each other - or of course: past each other, before the knives reached their target on the disc.

 

Click here to see a 15 sec. video clip from Duo Laner's act

 

 

But the very best - or very creepiest - was Denis the Illusionist. It has been many years since we in Denmark have seen a real fakir. Now he was here! And the surroundings were absolutely perfect for a fakir. He stuck needles through the skin on the arms, and needles from the mouth out through the cheek. And he went very close to the audience, who were allowed to pull out the needles. And the final trick: with a drill, he turned a screw up the nose, where it disappeared somewhere, before pulling it out again. A strong number. Horror and horror at the same time.

 

It seems that Halloween has overtaken the carnival and Mardi Gras traditions in popularity. Why has this happened? Halloween has something dark about it. Death, doom and extremes, which you try to live through or illustrate in the context of Halloween. Why is it popular right now? Mardi Gras and carnival are light and cheerful – role-playing games where you can dream up another role. As in the festival plays in the Middle Ages, where the servant was allowed to be the master for a day and the landowner swapped places with his peasants. But Halloween revolves around death and destruction, the dark and sad side of life. Why is it popular right now? A whole feature article could probably be written about that.

***

Dystopia Entertainment is based in Vejle and consists of a group of horror enthusiasts and creative souls who love to create experiences for others. Their motto is TO HORRIFY AND ASTONISH. You can read more at www.dystopia.dk

                     

 

11 October 2024
 

New exhibition at the Circus Museum in Hvidovre, Copenhagen. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum has special exhibitions. Their newest special exhibition is about the Thierry family's small Jutland Circus Krone, which started as a circus with short performances at fairs, but later became a "real" circus.

The exhibition opened on 11 October. The exhibition can be seen until the summer of 2025. Below, a few photos from the new exhibition and from the exhibition opening.

Circus Krone was established by Regner Thierry, but it was his daughter Irene Thierry who turned it into a traditional circus. And by the way, for a number of years it also functioned as a form of artist school for young talents. For a period in the 1990s, Circus Krone also ran a artist school during the winter period in their winter quarters in Haarup old school.

Today, Cirkus Krone is run by the 3rd generation: Irene's eldest son Frank Thierry.

 

 

Irene Thierry looks at the exhibition. She has used the blue dress herself in her entrée with pigeons. Hat, poster and magic props have been used by Irene's mother Ebba Thierry
 



The front dress was sewn by Irene Thierry herself as a 7-year-old for a trapeze number. She used the dress behind in the finale of a Krone performance. Behind a suit jacket used by Regner Thierry. Back costume for a Don Cossack. Regner Thierry's Don Cossacks were however Danes!
 



Irene's grandchildren had come along to see the exhibition about the family's circus
 


In the spring 2025 there will be a biography published of Irene Thierry, here seen together with the author Joan Dansberg
 



Museum curator director Mikkel Knudsen welcomes


 

In addition to the new exhibition, the museum's playroom has been given a facelift

 

 

8 October 2024


 

At the performances in Weihnactscircus Düsseldorf from 11 December to 5 January, you can see the Garcia family's space rocket. But with new crew, as the brothers Antonio and Conor Garcia have replaced their parents Pablo and Vickki Garcia. The Danish audience saw the rocket with Pablo and Vickki in Circus Arena in 2024. Antonio and Conor were also at Arena with a handstand number that brought them the year's talent prize from the Danish Circus Award. Among the other performers in the German Christmas circus is Kaya Janecek, who received the Danish talent prize in 2023. Before the job in Düsseldorf, Kaya will participate in the prestigious Youth Circus Festival in Wiesbaden. It takes place from 30 October to 2 November.

4 October 2024
 

CIRCUS DYSTOPIA (horror circus)

From 12 - 20 October, you can see international circus performers from Dark Thrills Entertainment in the ring in Circus Dystopia at Tivoli Friheden in Aarhus. There is a show every hour from 13.30 to 20.30. They write that they present fantastic and nerve-wracking shows that have never been seen before in Denmark. Among other things, you can look forward to hair-raising knife throwing and the mysterious 'Freak', who drills screws in his nose and pulls needles through his cheeks!

They describe the performances as follows (my translation)

This year Cirkus Dystopia takes you on a nerve-wracking journey into a twisted mind where the borders lines between love and madness are blurred. In the center stands Pierrot, as you have never seen him before. He was once a funny fool, but an unattainable love has driven him mad. Pierrot is in love with Columbine, but her heart belongs to Harlequin. This burning jealousy has driven Pierrot to extreme actions, and in his insane rage he has tortured Harlequin turning him into a pitiful doll that is now part of Pierrot's sick amusement. Pierrot's heart is now home to a sick obsession that has turned him into a dangerous shadow of his former self.

In this nightmarish universe, Pierrot rules, whose distorted love has created small, creepy clown children who, with their grim smiles, spread chaos and death. This is his perfect nightmare - an endless cycle of horror and desperation, where love has turned to evil and chaos has become his home. This is how it can go…

 

3 October 2024      
 

Circus of Torment back in Denmark in the spring 2025.

CIRCUS OF TORMENT presented horror circus performances in Vejle and Aalborg in February 2023. In autumn 2023, they were back with performances in Esbjerg, Aarhus and Odense.

Circus of Torment is a live horror show filled with nerve-wracking performances, comedy and immersive theatrical elements throughout the show.


 

The juggler on the Circus of Torment flyer is David Sosman, son of Isabella Enoch Sosman and the late Eddy Sosman
 

About the performance in Aalborg 2023, the digital media migogaalborg wrote "Perfect combination of horror, laughter, horror and screams" and gave the performance 5 stars.

On this page, Jørgen Lorenzen wrote, among other things: "There was so much that at the end you wanted to see it all again. And as in a good theater performance, the performance posed questions to the audience: what was it that we saw here? How should we interpret it? There was not just, as in a good circus performance, a bombardment of the senses, a joyful demonstration of the many facets of circus art and its beauty".

In the spring of 2025, CIRCUS OF TORMENT will return to Denmark with performances in Copenhagen, Odense, Vejle and Aarhus. They write (my translation):

Venture into the ominous fog where a troupe of doomed circus performers await. Be a part of the story – laugh, tremble and scream as ghosts and demons are brought to life from their dark past. Experience their amazing and breathtaking circus acts in this nerve-wracking and thrilling live horror show!

Prepare to travel back to a dark time of mysterious fortune tellers, terrifying freak shows, psychopathic performers and murderous clowns. This show is not for the faint of heart and is a guaranteed hair-raising experience! Take your place around a specially designed stage that provides a unique 360 ​​degree view of the terrifying stunts. Feel the horror brought to life around you as the creatures of this cursed world enter the stage.

Be part of the show and witness international artists from all over Europe perform incredible and dangerous circus acts in this impressive horror show. Witness the pain and experience the agony!

Circus of Torment invites you in for a show you will never forget…

There are performances at Trianglen in Copenhagen from 14 to 23 March, in Ansgar park in Odense from 28 March to 6 April, in Vejle from 11 to 20 April and at Harbour Square in Aarhus from 25 April to 4 May.

You can read more at https://www.circusoftorment.com/


 

In Circus of Torment's 2-pole tent, there is a small circular stage surrounded by 2 rows of chairs and a grandstand with 6 rows of benches. Photo from Odense 31 October 2023
 

 

2 October 2024
 

Circus Arena in Greenland. Cirkus Arena is currently on tour in Greenland, where they visit 6 cities. In Greenland, it is their 40th anniversary tour. Apart from the corona years, Benny Berdino and his team have for many years visited Greenland every autumn with performances in indoor arenas. Due to the expensive freight, they bring only the most necessary equipment, and normally no animals are included in the performances. The artists are not quite the same as during Arena's Danish tour. In Greenland, it is a big event when the circus comes to town. Just as it was in the old days, when a circus came to the cities in Jutland and on Funen and Zealand, and the spectators' seats in the Greenlandic arenas are well filled.

Cirkus Arena writes about this year's show (my translation):


 

Circus Arena celebrates 40 years with a magnificent anniversary tour in Greenland, where the audience can look forward to a magical experience for the whole family. It will be a special celebration, presented by the two popular hosts Bubber and Julie Berthelsen, who will guide the audience through a show full of spectacular acts and fantastic artists.

The tour offers a string of world-famous artists that will fascinate both children and adults. Experience the enchanting and seductive Skating New Vision with their breakneck roller-skating act that defy gravity. The talented Jessica Jester brings humour and elegance to the air with her aerial acrobatics, while Kelly Folco seduces the audience with impressive juggling. Michael the clown is a hit for young and old.

In addition to the established stars, the tour will also present the young and talented artist couple Julia and Joachim. Their fresh and modern acts show that circus art is alive and well, and they will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Bubber, who is known from Danish TV, and the singer Julie Berthelsen lead the audience through the performance in both Greenlandic and Danish.

 

Circus Arena visits:

Ilulissat 30 September at 18.30

Aasiaat 1 October at 18.30

Sisimiut 2 October at 18.30

Maniitsoq 3 October at 18.30

Nuuk 6 October at 14 & 17
 

Julia and Joachim Myllykangas are children of the clown Lasse "Bonbon" Nørager and Mrs. Tiina. By the way, Bonbon is also part of the performances in Greenland.

The clown Michael (Michael Alves) performed throughout the summer in Circus Arena’s theme park Circusland.

 

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