Circuses Stuck Around the World!

Circus News

Circuses Stuck Around the World! Updated 6/10/2020

From self-quarantining to social distancing, feeling “stuck” is a unanimous condition we’re experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the cases of these circus troupes and performers, COVID-19 has halted their tours and left them eerily and utterly stuck around the globe. This bizarre phenomenon is challenging their way of life, testing their survival skills, and sending us perspectives & voices from the truly stuck. This is an ongoing collection…

Zirka Circus First Event in Taranaki Since Before Lockdown

After curating and reading countless stories of devastation and resilience, I’m pleased to share a cautious shift in the narrative. With many adaptations and compliances, Zirka Circus took a breath, and launched their show series in Taranaki.

“We’re just happy to be up and running.” – Paul Johnson, Zirka Circus general manager

Coronavirus: Drive-in Circus Opens in Germany

As an innovative response to social distancing, “Germany’s first drive-in circus has opened in the city of Recklinghausen, where most of the circus stunts are displayed on a LED screen and artists perform in front of am audience watching from their cars.”

Circus in Crisis: Even if the Tent Goes Up, the Problems Won’t Go Away

Performers at Circus Gerbola have been locked down in Ireland since restrictions were implemented, and in this  powerful & personal article/video combination, address a looming future of insurance hikes & reduced capacity.

“We’ll have to reduce capacity by two-thirds for social distancing and our insurance is climbing. This year it jumped 78 per cent. When that happened we’d a big decision to make about continuing. But we’ve put so much into this, you’re talking about a lifetime’s work.” – Tara Gerbola, Circus Gerbola

The Circus Came to Town, Then it Couldn’t Leave

Stuck on the outskirts of Rome, the Rony Roller Circus contemplates its next move as they juggle quarantine restrictions and a sudden eviction from their temporary home. With much uncertainty, the best bet is staying together.

“Better in the company,” she said was the consensus, “with my people.” – Daniela Vassallo, Rony Rollers Circus

Circus Industry Readies for Final Curtain Call

Circuses across India share their concerns for their survival as an industry, given the countless obstacles they must face. From longstanding setbacks, to consequences resulting from today’s coronavirus, these companies are both hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

“Though we have been innovating, it is just a matter of time that the industry will vanish if no help comes.” – K M Sanjeev, Great Bombay Circus

Circus Group in Colombia Vows Show Must Go On

Circus Gasca takes to the virtual stage during the COVID-19 lockdown, sharing a dose of resilience and entertainment with the online community, live from their stage in Colombia.

See the Full Video at CGTN

Stranded German Circus Faces Uncertain Future

While idle in Germany, Circus Altano performers are catching up on repair work while unable to stage performances during the pandemic. Even with the hope of lifted restrictions, Josef Traenkler explains the difficulty of restarting operations.

“If you’re a hairdresser or a shop, the restrictions are lifted and you can just open again. But we have to plan weeks in advance.” – Josef Traenkler, Circus Altano

Show Must Go On for Circus ‘Cocooning’ in Tralee

Tralee was the last touring stop for Circus Vegas, but on 12 March, it became their makeshift home. Despite their struggles, the performers and workers maintain a level head and look on the bright side of this pandemic.

“Of course there are some horrible things happening in the world, and my heart goes out to anyone who is going through it, but we do try and keep positive around here and try to look at the positive of everything.” – Kourtney Victoria, Circus Vegas

stuck circus
Clowns, Jugglers & Gymnasts in Traveling Circus are Stuck in Texas Parking Lot Amid Lockdown
From their temporary home in Texas, Cirque MonteCarlo shares their story and a note on patience and perseverance.
“We thought [sheltering in place] would last two to three weeks,” home operations manager Cindi Cavallini, 54, tells Yahoo Life. “We were not expecting it to drag this long.”
travelling circus
International Circus Stranded in New Mexico Amid COVID-19

Do Portugal, a circus from Mexico, finds themselves stranded in New Mexico, USA. All things considered, the troupe is looking on the bright side and showing appreciation for local help.

“Thankfully, people from Eastern New Mexico State Fair—they gave us, you can say a home, for these tough times and they’re letting us stay here. We have water, we have electricity, we are safe.” – Do Portugal’s manager, Damian Portugal

stranded circus

Stranded Big Kid Circus Plans Annual Free Show to Thank Morecambe Community for Keeping Them Fed

Temporarily stuck in Morecambe, the 35 cast members of Big Kid Circus have been unable to leave the circus site for weeks, but have received help from the council, the foodbank and local residents.

“We have had food banks helping us and now we are being supportive of them too, we are volunteering by driving and helping them do deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been really heart warming.” – Julia Kirilova, Big Kid Circus

Indian circus

COVID-19: Assam’s Circus Group Members Stranded in Kokrajhar Finally Get Support
The “New Guria Circus and Jadu” group, with 28 performers and crew, is currently stranded in the Kokrajhar district of India. Like many, this troupe hopes to find the means and support for survival.
“We are facing revenue losses and financial crisis, and had to borrow money to sustain the circus by mortgaging my van, but after the lockdown, dead bells have started ringing over us with dark clouds of uncertainty looming large.” – Babul Islam, New Guria owner
Virus Halts Travelling Circus in Netherlands
Circus Renz Berlin’s fleet of blue, red and yellow trucks has found itself in the Netherlands until further notice. With both human and animal performers in need, the locals provide help and supplies yet again.
“We have food, but not for long. We’re already nearly through our reserves. Now other people have helped by bringing things for the coming weeks. We’ve got supplies from people, that’s really fantastic.” – Sarina Renz, Circus Berlin owner
Em Holt
Burlesque Dancer, Acrobat, Community Manager -UNITED STATES
Em Holt (they/she/he) is a genderfluid mover, burlesque dancer, drag performer and acrobat based in Florida, US. With a background in high level competitive gymnastics, circus arts and multidisciplinary dance, their diverse capabilities allow them to meet a variety of physical requirements and personas on stage.

These days, Em independently travels and tours the US as burlesque and circus bombshell, Karma Carnelian. Karma's performance style seamlessly blends classic and neo burlesque choreography with dynamic acrobatic chair and floor work. Karma has performed coast to coast, from the Hubba Hubba Revue in San Francisco, CA, to the House of Blues in Chicago, IL, to countless productions in their home state.

Em received their BA in Advertising in 2019 and MS in Integrated Marketing in 2021 from Florida State University, where they also performed teeterboard, flying, swinging and double trapeze in The FSU Flying High Circus from 2016-2020. Em first joined CircusTalk first as a journalism intern in 2020, and currently serves as the team's Community Manager, creating written and digital content for the site, and managing the companies' social media channels.
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Em Holt

Em Holt (they/she/he) is a genderfluid mover, burlesque dancer, drag performer and acrobat based in Florida, US. With a background in high level competitive gymnastics, circus arts and multidisciplinary dance, their diverse capabilities allow them to meet a variety of physical requirements and personas on stage. These days, Em independently travels and tours the US as burlesque and circus bombshell, Karma Carnelian. Karma's performance style seamlessly blends classic and neo burlesque choreography with dynamic acrobatic chair and floor work. Karma has performed coast to coast, from the Hubba Hubba Revue in San Francisco, CA, to the House of Blues in Chicago, IL, to countless productions in their home state. Em received their BA in Advertising in 2019 and MS in Integrated Marketing in 2021 from Florida State University, where they also performed teeterboard, flying, swinging and double trapeze in The FSU Flying High Circus from 2016-2020. Em first joined CircusTalk first as a journalism intern in 2020, and currently serves as the team's Community Manager, creating written and digital content for the site, and managing the companies' social media channels.