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Special feature: It all happens in Paris
Last updated : 2. February 2012
2 February 2012
Circus Benneweis 2012. Circus Benneweis has published the names of the artists which you from 23 March and until the middle of September can meet in their 125th anniversary program. It is a very strong program with international star performers and many animals: horses, elephants, dogs, and sea lions. No big cat acts as such acts are forbidden in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
There will be a joyful reunion with the sympathetic elephant trainer LARS HÖLSCER with two elephants: the African elephant Sonja, who is 36 years, and the Indian elephant Vana Mana, who is 41 years old. Lars Hölscher and his elephants were also with Circus Benneweis in season 2011, but it's a brand new entree they will present this year.
YURY VOLODCHENKO is one of the artists which Diana Benneweis has looked most forward to present to the Danish circus audience. He rides high school. And nobody does it as Yury, who is able to get his horse to dance. My guess is that "dance school rider" has a good chance of being rewarded with standing ovations. There is his first appearance in Denmark. Currently, he tours with "Grosse Russische Staatscircus" in Germany which about his act writes: "Diese junge Gipsy-Reiter bring Temperament Grazie und in die Manege". The German circus ends their season 18th March, and Yury will then hurry to Hillerod to be ready for Benneweis opening night 23rd March.
Yury Volodchenko. Photo by courtesy of Circus Benneweis
MISS HELENA comes probably from Poland and presents a great act where she juggles with footballs. At the recent Circus Festival in Massy, she was awarded the Piste de Bronze. It is her first appearance in Denmark.
DUO GUODI (Iana and Sacha Guodi) comes from Italy and does a Risley act, i.e. an act where one artist with his feet is juggling with the other. Normally that sort of acts is presented either by two young men or of a father (or mother) with a two children. In Duo Guodi one partner is a woman, and the act which is presented in tough contemporary style is excellent! It is the couple's first appearance in Denmark. In this year’s Benneweis-show you will also meet Iana in spectacular aerial act.
MR. DALMATIAN (Sergui Prostetsov), whose number includes both Dalmatian dogs and ponies was also with Circus Benneweis in 2004. Many circus guests have wanted to see the elegant act once again and Diana Benneweis now fulfil their wishes.
Mr. Dalmatian. Photo by courtesy of Circus Benneweis
The ESHIMBEKOVI troupe present world class Djzhighit/Cossack Riding. They were awarded a silver clown for their act in Monte Carlo in 2010. In season 2011 they toured with the Finnish Circus Finlandia. The season with Benneweis will be the troupe's first visit to Denmark. Click here to see a video clip from their act.
TRIO BOKAFI is springboard acrobats and is currently one of main attractions in the famous Cirque d'Hiver in Paris. As the name says, there are just three members in the troupe where many other teeterboard troupes have 6 to 12 members. But the troupe's leader Gábor Boros and his two partners are fabulously talented and perform tricks of a difficulty which nobody else can do. Among other tricks they master the 3-double somersault. It will be the trio's first performance in Denmark. Click here to see a clip from the act.
Trio Bokafi – world class springboard act. Photo by courtesy of Cirque D'hiver Bouglione where the trio can be seen until 4 in March. Photographer: Dominique Secher
This year’s run-in clown comes from Mexico and his name is VERSACE. In 2004, he had great success in the Swedish Circus Maximum. Later, he appeared for several seasons in the German Circus Charles Knie. In 2012, time has come for the Danish audience to meet Versace, who never before have worked in Denmark.
A sea lion act is presented by Consuelo Berto Catala and Gabriel Arbona Moncho. The sea lions are California sea lions and named Mike, Paul and Mister Murdoch. They were born in 2005, 2004 and 1992 respectively. They are trained by BEATRIX HÖLSCER and come from the legendary German Circus Fliegenpilz, which for many years was one of the leading German circuses but some years ago stopped due to the crisis among German circuses. Beatrix is mother to the elephant trainer Lars Hölscher. The act has never before been shown in a Danish circus.
As in 2011, JUDY GLOSTED will be ringmistress and JAN HERTZ will put on stage.
As always when a program is published several months before the tour start there can be changes in the program.
2 February 2012
Circus Dannebrog 2012. Circus Dannebrog will start the season on 29th March in Vojens. They will this year present an exciting show, called Amazing Africa, with a number of super talented African artists. Both in Belgium, Holland and Germany such shows have had great success. And now the Enoch family will present such performance to the Danish circus audience.
26 January 2012
Photos from Monte Carlo. Rud Kofoed has sent me the following wonderful photos from Monte Carlo. About the festival Rud writes:
It was Casselly’s elephant act which triggered 'the great gold party' in Monte Carlo, although also the high school riding act with four elephants and four horses presented by the Casselly-Berdino-families’ eight beautiful girls got the big applause. It is one of the attractions in Circus Arena in the forthcoming season. I do not recall ever having seen such a focused and great ovation as the Casselly's got this year. Both at the two selection shows and at the and award-gala.
René Casselly Senior is also a persevering person. He was not satisfied with 'only' getting a silver clown in 2008, but went straight for the gold and has since worked hard for it - and clearly not in vain. It was quite an experience to witness. Although the Shanghai Troupe Acrobatique also got gold clown, they was almost overseen compared to the enthusiasm for the Casselly’s.
A Gold Clown to the Casselly family from Circus Arena. Prince Albert II was as enthusiastic as the jury president, Princess Stéphanie. Here the hand over the Gold Clown 2012 to the family who took the international audiences by storm. (Photo: Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
The excitement would not end - in the middle you can see tonight's heroes: René Jr., 15, and Mary-Lu, 20, from Arena’s Casselly family. (Photo: Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
It was René JR’s triple somersault to elephant back which was the sensation because it was another elephant that jumped up on the spring board and send René off like a rocket (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
Rene JR doing his somersault ... (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
It was the elephant number starring the siblings Rene Jr., 15, and Mary-Lu, 20, which resulted in the Golden Clown in Monte Carlo (Photo: Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
The Casselly-Berdino-families presented their new high school riding act with four elephants and four horses in Monte Carlo - it is also one of the main acts in the coming season in Circus Arena. The photo shows the 4 members of the Casselly family: René, Alexia, Mary-Lu and René JR, and 3 members of the Berdino-family: Charmaine, Stephanie and Anastazja. I do not know the names of the last two riders. (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
The Casselly-Berdino families. (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
Azzario Sister's - Quincy Santos, 18 & Katie, 23 - was awarded the Silver Clown by Princess Stephanie of Monte Carlo. In the coming season they can be seen in the Swedish Circus Brazil Jack. (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
One of the Azzario Sisters, who were awarded a Silver Clown by Princess Stephanie of Monte Carlo, greets the gold winners Rene Jr. and Mary-Lu Casselly. (Photo Rud Kofoed/Ajour Press)
25 January 2012
The Danish magician Kim Kenneth and his partner and girlfriend Jessica tour in the upcoming season as last year with John and Stephen Courtney’s Circus Vegas, which this year as in most of the 2011 season will tour in England. Kenneth Kim is ringmaster and presents a number of his marvellous illusions. In addition to assisting Kim in his act Jessica has an elegant sword balancing entrée.
Kim Kenneth and Jessica with one of the fabulous illusions.
Jessica with sword balancing. Both photos by courtesy of Kim Kenneth and Jessica
23 January 2012
A golden clown awarded to the Casselly family. At the Circus Festival in Monte Carlo the jury has awarded a golden clown, a silver clown or a bronze clown to the following artists:
A GOLDEN CLOWN - CLOWN D'OR
Troupe Acrobatique de Shanghai (China) for their act on springboard and Cai Yong's equilibrist act
René Casselly (Germany), African Elephants & springboard/ High School on elephants and horses. Danes know the Casselly family from Circus Arena, owned by the Berdino family. Apart from the golden clown the Casselly's also won PRIX DU PUBLIC and a number of other special awards.
A SILVER CLOWN - CLOWN D'ARGEN
Viadislav Gonchaerov - Lions
Troupe Vorobiev (Russia), russian swing
Azzario Sisters (Spain), hand to hand. Azzario Sisters are daughters of the clown José Mitchel and his wife Julia. In the coming season José, Julia and their two talented daughters will tour with Circus Brazil Jack in Sweden.
BRONZE CLOWN - CLOWN DE BRONZE
Flying to the Stars (Ukraine), horizontal bars
Duo Israfilov (Russia), Aerial Straps
Skating Pilar (Frankrig), rulleskøjter
Skating Pilar (France), Roller skate
Flying Zuniga (Argentina, Brazil), Flying Trapeze
Duo Stipka (Czech Republic), Pas de Deux on horses
Troupe Khadgaa de Mongolie - strong men / human pyramids
THE JURY's SPECIAL AWARD- MENTION SPECIALE DU JURY
Troupe Bingo (Ukraine)
THE AWARD FOR YOUNG ARTISTS - COUPE DE S.A.S. LA PRINCESSE ANTOINETTE DESTINEE AU PLUS JEUNE ARTISTE
Ty Tojo (Japan), juggler. Ty is 13 year old and trained by former silver clown winner Dick Franco.
The panel of judges, under the Presidency of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and composed of celebrities from the world of the circus, will award the famous Gold, Silver and Bronze Clowns. The 2012 panel includes Ms Jessica Hentoff, Director of the «Circus Harmony » (social Circus), U.S.A., Ms Tatsiana Bandarchuk, Director of the Circus of Belarus from Minsk, Mr Emil Steinberger, Comedian, Switzerland, Mr Bian Faji, President of China's Association of Acrobats, Mr Alexandre Ogurtsov, Vice-President of the Nikulin Circus, Russia and Mr Benny Berdino Director of Circus Arena, Denmark.
Apart from the awards mentioned below there was a usual several special awards:
TROPHEE LOUIS MERLIN: Ty Tojo - Jongleur
PRIX DE LA VILLE DE MONACO: Infernal Varanne - Les globes infernaux
PRIX DE L'ASSOCIATION MONEGASQUE DES AMIS DU CIRQUE: Erika Lemay
PRIX DU JOURNAL NICE MATIN: Skating Pilar - Acrobates sur patins à roulettes
PRIX JEAN-LOUIS MARSAN: Troupe Bingo
PRIX TMC MONTE-CARLO: Cai Yong - Equilibriste
PRIX SPECIAL DU BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS: Steve Eleky - Comique parodiste
PRIX DE LA REVUE « LE CIRQUE DANS L'UNIVERS »: Duo Stipka - Pas de deux à cheval
PRIX DE LA SOCIETE DES BAINS DE MER: Les Rubsov - Jongleurs
PRIX DE LA SACEM: Clowns Michel - Entrée clownesque
PRIX SPECIAL SPENCER HODGE: Clowns en folie
PRIX ERICH ROZEWICZ: Troupe Khadgaa de Mongolie - Hommes forts et voltige acrobatique
PRIX SPECIAL Z.P.R. DE VARSOVIE: Vladislav Goncharov - Lions
PRIX DU FAIRMONT MONTE-CARLO: Marc Métral - Ventriloque
PRIX SPECIAL MARSUPILAMI: Famille René Cassely
PRIX SPECIAL EMILIEN BOUGLIONE: Skating Pilar - Acrobaties sur patins à roulettes
PRIX CIRQUE D'HIVER BOUGLIONE: Azarrio Sisters - Main à main
PRIX SPECIAL GESELLSCHAFT DES CIRCUSFREUNDE E.V. (ASSOCIATION DES AMIS DU CIRQUE D'ALLEMAGNE): Duo Stipka - Pas de deux à cheval
PRIX DES AMIS DU CIRQUE ITALIEN: Bobylev - Clowns de reprises
PRIX SPECIAL DU STUDIO GRIMAILO MOSCOU: Ty Tojo - Jongleur
PRIX SPECIAL DE L'EUROPEAN CIRCUS ASSOCIATION (E.C.A.): Cherifian Troupe - Sauteurs au tapis
PRIX SPECIAL DU CONSEIL NATIONAL: Troupe acrobatique du Cirque de Changai
PRIX SPECIAL ARLETTE GRUSS: Ekatarina Shavrina - Trapéziste
PRIX DU JURY INTERNATIONAL HSBC: Famille René Cassely
PRIX SPECIAL JEROME MEDRANO: Steve Eleky - Comique parodiste
PRIX SPECIAL JOSE MARIA GONZALES VILLA JUNIOR: Clowns Michel - Entrée clownesque
PRIX DU CIRQUE NIKULIN MOSCOU: Steve Eleky - Comique parodiste
PRIX SPECIAL STARDUST CIRCUS INTERNATIONAL: Flying to the stars - Barristes
PRIX SPECIAL MOIRA ORFEI: Famille René Cassely
PRIX SPECIAL GANDEY: Flying Zuniga - Trapèzes volants
PRIX DU GRAND CIRQUE D'ETAT DE ST PETERSBURG: Les petits animaux de la ferme de la famille Probst
PRIX DU BOLCHOÏ CIRCUS: Azzario Sisters - Main à main
PRIX DU PUBLIC: Famille René Cassely
PRIX DU KOBSOV CIRCUS: Infernal Varanne -Les globes infernaux
PRIX ROSGOSCIRK: Vladislav Goncharov - Lions
PRIX DE LA GRANDE MURAILLE DE L'ASSOCIATION DES ACROBATES DE CHINE: Duo Israfilov - Acrobates aux sangles aériennes
PRIX DU CIRQUE D'ETAT DE MINSK: Viadislav Goncharov - Lions
22 January 2012
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- a cabaret full of traditions: LE CARROUSEL features an elegant show, presenting revue-tableaux in the best of French traditions, singing and cancan dancing and visual specialty acts. MC (master of conference) DANE PORRET. Standup comedian TONY MARCO.
DANILSEN features an original act, called shadowgraphy - using his bare hands, he projects figures and short sketches onto a white screen, reminding us about cinema.
A nice and visual attraction which blends nicely into the tableaux.
LE CARROUSEL also offers an appealing French cuisine and after the dinner-show - there is dancing!
Some of these cabarets have disappeared but LE CARROUSEL accepts the challenge - we are grateful for that - nothing is like LIVE entertainment !!! We can, thus, still appreciate and enjoy a nice Paris-by-night - and for a decent price !!
Come to the CABARET !!! --- LE CARROUSEL !!!!!!!!
Venue: LE CARROUSEL, 40 rue Fontaine, 75009 Paris. Metro: Pigalle or Place Clichy.
--------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
Left: dancers from Le Carrousel, Right: Danilsen’s shadowgraphy
20 January 2012
Freddy Bergmann Kolding turns 60, Monday 23 January Circus Benneweis’ General Manager Freddy Bergmann Kolding can celebrate his 60 years birthday. Freddy’s live took a change in 2004, when circus owner Diana Benneweis’ sister Ulla who was chief financial officer for the circus and also in other respects was an invaluable support for Diana, got a heart attack and died. Freddy was at that time operations manager at Arriva (a leading pan-European public transport operator) and had a few years earlier met Diana. Sweet music arose, and they became a couple. When Ulla died, Freddy stepped in to assist Diana. It was meant as a temporary solution but it ended up being permanent. 2012 is season no 9 where Freddy works for Circus Benneweis. Since Diana some years ago withdrew from the daily work and focused on the overall management, Freddy has been General Manager of Circus Benneweis. Freddy and Diana is not a couple any longer – they are just good friends. "But Freddy is one of the musts faithful and loyal employees, I ever have had, and he is a completely invaluable support to me," Diana Benneweis says.
Freddy Bergmann Kolding. Photo by courtesy of Circus Benneweis
18 January 2012
There are today several circus festivals. The greatest and most prestigious festival is Festival International du Cirque du Monte Carlo, which held annually in January, this year from 19 to 24 in January. Other important festivals include the Festival International du Cirque de Massy, Festival Mondial you Cirque de Demain, International Circus Festival of Budapest and the European Youth Circus Festival.
The first of the major festivals, the Festival International du Cirque de Massy, was this year held the 12th day to 15 January, where the following winners was appointed:
Prix du Club du Cirque: Les Flying Havana (trapèze volant)
Prix du Cirque et de L'illusion: Redy Montico (fauves)
Prix de Bretagne Circus: Les Martinis (clowns)
Prix des Amis du Cirque de Massy: Les Curatolas (main à main) Prix de la Ville de Massy: Yulia Rasshivkina (hula-hop)
Prix Spécial du Jury: A l'Orchestre de Eric Mula
Piste de Bronze: Famille Donnert (jockey et pas de deux)
Piste de Bronze: Helena Kaiser (jonglerie)
Piste d'Argent: Diana Vediashkina (chiens) Piste d'Argent: Duo Labrise (main à main)
Piste d'Argent: Duo Polinde (cadre aérien)
Piste d'Or: Redy Montico (fauves)
Piste d'Or: Sampion Bouglione (jonglerie)
Piste d'Or: Secret of my Soul (cerceau aérien)
Prix du Président de la République: Leosveld et Diosmani (mât chinois)
Monte Carlo winners: The next major festival is the festival in Monte Carlo, where there is competitions shows from 19 to 22 January. The jury usually releases the names of the winners in connection with a party Sunday evening. Click here to see the names of the winners (available from 23 January if possible).
14 January 2012
Circus in Denmark during the winter months. In January, February and March you can see several contemporary circus performances etc. in Denmark.
In late January / early February, you can meet the clowns from Okidok with the show Ha ha ha. In early February, some cities on Zealand will be visited by Compagnie Ea Eo with the performance M2. In late February and early March, you can several places in Denmark meet the Swedish Circus Cirkör with the performance Wear it like a Crown.
From 22 to 25 February CIRCOLOMBIA will visit Aalborg with the show URBAN. In roughly the same period, namely 23rd to 25 February, the Russian ice circus Cirque de Glace will visit Aalborg.
For information about venues, dates and the booking of tickets for the above mentioned performances look in What's On (The Circus Calendar). This site also includes an overview of circus performances in shopping malls etc during the schools winter holidays and dates and tour lists for the Danish circuses. The Circus Calendar is updated with all known dates until the end of April.
14 January 2012
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS --and all the year around - LE MUSEE DE LA MAGIE offers a fantastic experience which is joyful, interesting, surprising and with an educational touch.
This museum, founder antiques trader GEORGES PROUST, presents a large collection of antique magic props, and this without giving away any secrets, furthermore an important collection of mechanical automatons, all piously refurbished without removing the original mechanism. These automatons are brought to life every time anyone pushes a button, to the delight of the children.
As a top attraction LE MUSEE DE LA MAGIE offers a MAGIC SHOW which is appealing, funny and interesting - it takes place on a small stage - and always in front of a full house.
Magic entertainer JEROME CADEAC has been performing here for years, using only sleight of hands, he succeeds in getting and holdning the audience's interest, and this goes for children and adults as well: the thin thread that is ripped apart but instantaneously repaired - balls appearing and disappearing here and there, ropes getting longer or shorter, and a card, signed by a spectator, disappears and is found inside JEROME'S wallet -- a sympathetic artist thus winning the audience's sympathy - a prerequisite for success !!
In a small outlet you can buy a couple of easy tricks for beginners.
School classes and other groups often visit -- and all this certainly is as cultural as --- many other events. Thus well worth visiting and seeing !!!
Venue:11 rue Saint Paul, Paris. Metro: Saint Paul.
Opening hours: WED-SAT-SUN- 14.00 thru 19.00.
------------------------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
Magic show at le Musee de la Magie
12 January 2012
Benny Berdino member of the Monte Carlo Jury. The panel of judges, under the Presidency of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and composed of celebrities from the world of the circus, will award the famous Gold, Silver and Bronze Clowns. The 2012 panel includes Ms Jessica Hentoff, Director of the «Circus Harmony » (social Circus), U.S.A., Ms Tatsiana Bandarchuk, Director of the Circus of Belarus from Minsk, Mr Emil Steinberger, Comedian, Switzerland, Mr Bian Faji, President of China's Association of Acrobats, Mr Alexandre Ogurtsov, Vice-President of the Nikulin Circus, Russia and Mr Benny Berdino Director of Circus Arena, Denmark.
It is the second time Benny Berdino will be member of the jury in Monte Carlo. A person is rarely reappointed to this position. The Benneweis family joined the jury three times, but being represented by three different persons: Eli Benneweis, Diana Benneweis and Nelly Jane Benneweis. No other Danes than Benny Berdino and the three Benneweis’es have been represented in the Monte Carlo jury. The re-appointment of Benny Berdino shows the position he has in the European Circus World and his good relations with the festival’s artistic director Urs Pilz.
Jessica Hentoff is the artistic and executive director of Circus Harmony, St. Louis' only circus school and social circus organization. It is as far as I know first time someone from a youth circus has been appointed to the jury. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Youth Circus Organization. She has been involved in circus arts since 1973. She is considered one of the leaders in the field of Social Circus (using circus arts to motivate social change) and has performed as an aerialist, clown, juggler, bareback-rider, small animal trainer and fire-eater and was a founding member of both the Big Apple Circus in New York and Circus Flora in St. Louis.
In 1997 Minsk State Circus was renamed to Belarusian State Circus. Since August 1996 the Belarusian State Circus has been managed by Tatsiana Bondarchuk.
Emil Steinberger (born January 6, 1933, Luzern) is a Swiss comedian, writer, director and actor. He is well known as Emil in Switzerland and Germany for his acts on television in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1977 he toured with Circus Knie. Apart from this he has as far as I know no circus background.
The Nikulin Circus is one of the oldest in Russia, and the traditional home of the world-famous Moscow State Circus. It is named after the great clown (and movie actor) Yury Nikulin (1921-1997).
The Danish member of this year’s Monte Carlo Jury, Mr Benny Berdino
12 January 2012
Clowns at Bakken during the Easter Holidays. There are almost three months to Easter. But you can already begin to look forward to the EASTER INTERNATIONAL CLOWN FESTIVAL SHOW & CLOWN PARADE at the amusement park Bakken north of Copenhagen. From Thursday 4 April to Monday 9 April Benny Schumann will present world class clowns & amazing comedy artists at Bakken. Amongst the performers are Konstantin Mouraviev, comic acrobat from Russia, John Burke's sea lion show from England and Mr. Niels Weberling, unique mime artist from Germany. Furthermore, the clowns Toffe, Patricia and Benny Schumann will present various classic clown gags, and there are also various guest clowns from Denmark and abroad.
John Burke and his sea lions. Photo from performance at ‘Bakken’ in 2009
7 January 2012
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- magic as entertainment in a theatrical style --- THEATRE HEBERTOT proudly presents magic sketches called MAGICIENS TOUT EST ECRIT -- the title refers to a prediction effect, where we see the correct result written on a board, /tout est ecrit = everything is written/. The actors are Jean-Luc Bertrand, Julien Labigne, Sebastien Mossiere - furthermore Mathieu Sinclair and Arthur Jugnot, the latter is a well-known actor who has created the stage-settings for this show.
We were treated to a beautiful version of SNOWSTORM IN CHINA, but here red rose petals were falling down in great numbers, while complete black-out we saw red lights travelling between the actors' hands, very elegantly featured, a book-test where the artist finds the correct page, line and word chosen by a spectator, a sketch using the hand-guillotine in a funny way, a lot of manipulations and towards the ending the above-mentioned prediction, entirely strange and stunning and surely the topic of conversation -- after this show.
It is clear that Arthur Jugnot had worked a lot on the numerous theatrical details, really impossible to describe -- the audience reacted positively and all seemed to enjoy the show. The whole performance was conducted at a brisk pace and the contact between artists and public was very good. It can hardly be better, but if the accompanying talk and the number of interactions with a spectator on stage could be somewhat cut down --- we would have a win-win situation for all. The theatre was nearly sold out -- in Paris we go to the theatre!
An important point seems to be that this magic show is featured in a real theatre, neatly refurbished in Parisian style - this creates ATMOSPHERE --- while waiting for the curtain to rise -- and -- IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!
Length of show: 75 minutes.
Venue: THEATRE HEBERTOT, 78 bis, Boulevard des Batignolles, 75017 Paris. Metro Villiers.
--------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
Snowstorm in China as presented by Magiciens tout est ecrit. Photo by courtesy of Lard'Enfer & Beeh Productions
6 January 2012
Circuses in 2012. There is only a little more than two months until the Danish circus season begins. Circus Arena has its opening night in Copenhagen on 13 March. Circus Baldoni begins their season in Lyngby (Copenhagen suburb) on 21 March. Circus Benneweis will have the season’s first performance in Hilleroed (40 kilometers north of Copenhagen) on 23 March. Circus Mascot has its opening night in Roslev on 28 March. Circus Dannebrog will begin the season in Vojens on 29 March. Circus Arli has their opening performance in Floeng (Copenhagen suburb) on 31 March. Danish Circus Krone will begin their season in mid-April.
As for circuses in Sweden it looks like this: Circus Brazil Jack: date of season opening is not yet known, but usually it is late March in Malmo. Circus Maximum: the tour starts in Älvsered in the end of March. Circus Olympia has their opening performance 31 March at 15 in Oskarström. Season start for Circus Skratt is not yet known. Circus Scott has their opening night 3 May at 19:00 in Växjö. Circus Wictoria: date not yet known.
Premier dates for the three Norwegian circuses, Circus Arnardo, Circus Merano and Circus Zorba are not yet known
Performers: Here is the summary of the information which the Nordic circuses until now have released: The Swedish CIRCUS MAXIMUM is the only circus that has announced its full 2012-program. It was mentioned on this website 12th December 2011. CIRCUS ARENA published in October 2011 part of their program: A hot air balloon which "unfortunately" is trying to cross the ring - 16 super agile Chinese athletes with impressively foot juggling, partly as Risley act - the Belgian world clown Toto Chabri and his family and Arena’s usual clown Jimmy Folco - juggler Picasso Jr. - Catana troupe on springboard - lots of animals, including Casselly’s horses and elephants. CIRCUS BENNEWEIS has published that the show as last year will have Judy Glosted as ringmistress. The names of the participating artists for their 125 years anniversary show is not yet published.
4 January 2012
Birthdays with a round figure in 2012. Several persons from Danish circus and artistic world are celebrating a birthday with a round figure in 2012. On 23 January General Manager Freddy Bergmann Kolding of Circus Benneweis can celebrate his 60 years birthday. On 1 March the sea lion trainer Addie Jepsen can celebrate her 70 years birthday. On 5 June, Bettina Arli of Circus Arli can celebrate her 50 years birthday. On 12 June Diana Benneweis of Circus Benneweis can celebrate her 65 years birthday. About a month later, on 13 July, her circus can celebrate its 125 years anniversary, and her children Nadia and Dawid Benneweis can celebrate their 25 years birthday. On 25 June Solveig Enoch of Circus Dannebrog can celebrate her 75 years birthday. On 25 November Marianne Deleuran of Circus Mascot can celebrate her 50 years birthday
2 January 2012.
This website had a little more than 32,000 visitors in 2011. It is about 2,000 more than the year before.
The editor Ole Simonsen
2 January 2012
IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS -- during our Christmas season - CIRQUE ELOIZE - proudly presents an outstanding show - certainly New Circus - BUT on a theme which people can understand - WITHOUT having read the program-presentation -- this is far from frequent concerning this kind of circus, and we forward a big THANK YOU !!
CIRQUE ELOIZE, choreography by MOURAD MERZUKI, stage-setting by JEANNOT PAINCHAUD, features a very acrobatic show which has the character of elite-gym-stunts - but the artistic setting, the cleverly conceived background using wings and decorations as moving rear modules throughout the show - the elegant and appropriate costumes - make for an excellent show, carrying the theme STREET LIFE.
We see acrobatic stunts on mountainbike, breakdance, hip-hop, juggling, springboard jumping and all kinds of acrobatics, where the female dancers are particularly excellent - BRAVO!! The elegant and appealing costumes recall the dresses that both male and female top-rate sportsfolk wear -- another asset for CIRQUE ELOIZE -- and this is in sharp contrast to the ugly and boring dresses worn by representatives for other kinds of New Circus. A huge stage and a theatre holding 1200 seats contribute to the good impression and thus to the success.
Youthful strength, enthusiasm and a palpable joy of performing - and there you are: success, and - IT ALL HAPPENS IN PARIS !!!
Length of show: 90 minutes plus an intermission of 20 min.
Venue: THEATRE CHAILLOT, 1 Place du Trocadero, 75016 Paris. Metro:Trocadero.
---------------------------------------- reported by ZARRO ZARRO.
Juggling in Cirque Eloize. Photo by courtesy of Theatre National de Chaillot
2 January 2012
PRESS RELEASE from ECA - Austrian Court Decision on Animals in Circuses
Does Not Decide European Question
In a decision published on 21 December 2011, the Austrian Constitutional Court ruled that
Austria’s ban on “wild” animals in the circus does not violate the Austrian Constitution. The
court did not decide the legality of the ban under European law, which requires that Member States of the European Union use the least restrictive means possible to achieve their objectives when governmental legislation impacts freedom of services and functioning of the internal market. Whether the Austrian ban violates European law is a matter that is ultimately for the European Court of Justice to decide.
The Austrian court ruled on a complaint filed by Circus Krone that Austria’s ban on wild animals in the circus violated its freedom guaranteed under European law to provide its services in Austria. This claim followed the legal conclusions of the European Commission which stated in a letter to Austria dated 12 October 2005 that Austria’s ban on non-domesticated animals in the circus “violated Article 49 of the EC Treaty.” Krone also argued that the ban was unconstitutional under Austrian law.
The court rejected the Government’s argument that Krone had no recognizable legal interest. It concluded, however, that the ban did not violate Austria’s Constitution because the government did not ban all circus performance but only performance with non-domesticated animals. The court considered this to be a “restriction” of circus activity that is within the government’s discretion.
The court did not address Krone’s point that the ban is discriminatory because the same
animals are permitted to perform on film sets. In its 2005 letter, the European Commission
noted that the Austrian law banning performance in circus does not ban the use of animals in entertainment or for film productions, but creates restrictions. According to the Commission, “this shows that the aim to protect animals in circuses can be achieved with less restrictive measures.” The fact that measures that are less restrictive than a ban are available is also proven by the existence of laws that regulate circus animals in France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere.
The Austrian court took the view that there was no discrimination because the ban applies
equally to Austrian and foreign circuses. According to the European Commission, “Article 49 of the EC-Treaty does not just demand that there cannot be any discrimination against service providers due to their citizenship. But also, all other obstacles, even if they equally apply to the citizens of the country as well as foreigners, are prohibited, if they make it impossible or difficult to provide this service in the country, if the same service is being legally provided in another Member State.”
In its decision the court summarized the Government’s allegations about circus animals welfare. Circus Krone was not given the opportunity to submit evidence, including published scientific studies, showing that circuses can and do meet the health and welfare requirements of their animals. This evidence was considered by an independent panel of experts commissioned by the United Kingdom (DEFRA) in 2007.
The panel found that there was “not … scientific evidence sufficient to demonstrate that travelling circuses are not compatible with meeting the welfare needs of … non-domesticated animals [including big cats and elephants].
Furthermore, in the absence of compelling scientific evidence, any attempt to ban the use of an animal would fall foul of the principle of proportionality.” The panel also concluded that “although circus animals are transported regularly, there is no evidence that this, of its own nature, causes the animals’ welfare to be adversely affected.” Recent scientific studies conducted in Europe to test stress levels of circus animals before, during and after transport have confirmed this conclusion.
The European Circus Association and its members continue to promote best practices for
animals in the circus and to advocate the development of appropriate governmental regulations to ensure the health and welfare of all animals under human care, including performing animals.
The European Circus Association is a non-profit organisation established to promote and preserve circus arts and culture. The ECA represents more than 130 circuses, festivals, trainers and presenters in 29 countries, including nearly all renowned European circuses. It collaborates closely with professional organisations working in the areas of education of travelling children and vocational education and with partners such as the European Showmen’s Guild and the Christian Council for the Pastoral Care of Circus and Carnival Workers.
Link to news from 2007
Link to news from 2006