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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The pizazz, perils, and pratfalls of life under the Big Top
He's setting up the Circus Smirkus 2025 Big Top tent at the Cracker Barrel fairgrounds on a Monday morning, bright and early. The tent crew arrived late the night before after breaking down the last show, 100 miles away in Greenfield. Circus Smirkus, based in Vermont, is the only traveling youth circus performing under the Big Top in the USA. There are 18 'troupers,' as performers are called, ages 12 to 18. A staff of 30-40 grownups complete their 'circus bubble' that travels around New England in 25 vehicles. Advertisement Nelson Wilson, 18 of Providence and Sekora Berge, 15, of Plymouth, Wis., do a warmup before going in for the 7 p.m. show. Stan Grossfeld The kids stay with host families at each stop. The grownups live in trailers at the tent site. They have a mobile kitchen, aka the 'Pie Car,' and a trailer was converted into six tiny showers. They'll do 65 shows in seven weeks, clowning around before some 35,000 people. It's not all jesting and jokes, and risks are present. That became clear the day after the circus was set up when an aerialist fell 15 feet while performing, suffering serious injuries. He is now recovering, his mother posted on social media. Salix Wraith, a senior Tent Crew member, puts up supporting beams in the tent. Stan Grossfeld In many ways, Circus Smirkus is a throwback to a simpler time. 'It's called a mud show, because it's set up in fields as opposed to stadiums,' he says. 'We're carrying on the history of doing circus tours like this.' Advertisement Story Gemmati, 14, of Huntington Beach, Calif., puts on her makeup before the show. Stan Grossfeld Ringling Brothers is taking 2025 off to regroup but Smirkus Circus keeps on trucking in its 38th year. This year's high-energy show is called 'Game On.' It's guaranteed to make you smile. ' Yeah, I love them,' Wraith says of the troupers. 'They inspire me. They're incredibly talented and athletic and sweet and creative. It's why we're here. We do it for the kids.' On a travel day, the performers go to their host families for rest and relaxation. A comfy bed, breakfast, and dinner. They are an eclectic group of athletes, twisting and turning in the summer air. Each January, 45 kids are invited to audition in person at the circus headquarters in Greensboro. Those that don't look people in the eye never make the cut. Nelson Wilson, 18, of Providence, warms up with a Hula Hoop before a show. He will attend Boston University in the fall. Stan Grossfeld The performers then meet on Zoom until they spend three weeks in June to finalize the show with their director and coaches. They also don't make any money, as Circus Smirkus is a nonprofit cultural organization. Tuition this year is $9,000, which covers training, housing, food, costumes, coaching, and touring costs. No one is turned down because of financial need, according to marketing director Genevieve Martineau. They typically work a 12-hour day. In between their noon and the 7 p.m. shows some troupers take cat naps. At rehearsal, Oscar Benninga 15, practices with aerial silks in the main tent. Stan Grossfeld Oscar Benninga, 15, of Lexington, practices flying through the air on a long swath of silk, which he twirls like a matador. Is it like being Peter Pan? 'You do get that sense of detachment,' he says. 'It's a different world . . . It's really fun. I get to train all day and perform for new people and make them smile.' Advertisement Lev Eisner, 18, a juggler from Baltimore, says circus life is a bit of a balancing act. Performers, top from left: Sylvie Merryman-Lotze,15, of Glenside, Pa., Adi Natof, 14, of Lexington, Ky., and Azaria Passini,12, of Plymouth, Wis.; with Miranda Myer,15, of Bellevue, Wash., at bottom left. Stan Grossfeld 'We know how to stay up all night and swing off the roof, and we also know how to get to bed on time the night before a show and wake up at 6:00 a.m. to start warming up our bodies.' The performers also do a multitude of other tasks. Last summer in Hanover, N.H., they were assigned to clean the tarps and mats. 'There's decomposing slugs all over the tarps,' says Eisner. Four teenagers lugged them down to the river, a half mile away. 'It turns out the current is really strong. They're in, they're unfurling, they're billowing away. We're pulling on them for our lives because we can't lose the tarp,' he says. We're going to be in so much trouble.' Somehow they managed to get back on land but the wet tarps were too heavy to carry. A fisherman who was a Circus Smirkus fan took them back in his pickup truck. 'I don't think they quite dried before the show, but at least we were on time,' he says. Sylvie Merryman-Lotze, 15, of Glenside, Pa., has been doing circus training since she was 5. She says her sister was taking piano lessons in Philadelphia and a circus school was right down the street. 'It was just something to kill time,' she says. She discovered her calling to be a contortionist. It has gotten her into a lot of tight spots. 'I love working with my body, and I love working with other people.' Advertisement So many things can go wrong. Charlotte, 11, and Daley Murphy, 4, of Mansfield enjoy the show. Stan Grossfeld 'A few shows ago, there were four nosebleeds during the show. Some people had to run off stage. We just had people sub in. We were behind the curtain, whispering, 'All right, who's going to do this trick'? It was crazy having to improv on stage to make up for it,' Sylvie says. The accident involving the aerialist brought an outpouring of love and support. The show was immediately stopped and refunds were given. Some patrons returned them with messages of love and hope. 'I returned to the tent on Wednesday and dropped off a cake to try in some small way to show that you are thought of by so many. It is a helpless feeling but I continue to keep all of you in my thoughts,' one woman wrote. Azy Berge (top), 18, of Plymouth, Wis., and Jaycee Roethel, 18, of Sheboygan, Wis., nap between shows. Stan Grossfeld 'I support and care about sustaining all of your hard work and all of the emotional work you are doing right now.' The accident devastated the Circus Smirkus family, especially troupers, says Rachel Schiffer, executive and artistic director. " They're sad. They're curious and concerned. They're frustrated because they want answers, understandably so.' Two shows were canceled, but troupers bounced back. They spent a day off performing a show in the gym at Staff member Nora Kempner does the laundry behind the troupers' backstage tent and the shower trailer. Stan Grossfeld 'They've been amazing in a really tough time,' Schiffer says of the troupers. For now there will be no aerial acts until the investigation is complete. 'When we do circus, we come into a world of calculated risk,' despite rigorous training, education, safety checks, and balances, she says in an interview after the accident. 'With all of those things, things can still go wrong.' Advertisement Sylvie Merryman-Lotze, 15 of Glenside, Pa., does chores between shows. Stan Grossfeld Schiffer says a safety net is not feasible because the circus tent isn't tall enough. A few days later, there's good news. The performer's mother posted a photo of him at home smiling and giving the peace sign with two of his circus besties. Tawnya Sauer, assistant general manager, displays an old circus saying on her arm. 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BBC News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Devito's Circus aims to be host the kindest and most inclusive Big Top
A new circus aims to host the most inclusive and kindest Big Top in the Circus, set up by David Devito, is the smallest touring Big Top circus in the country with just 175 seats and six performers. It offers relaxed performances for neurodivergent team hires children from the community in partnership with the Glastonbury-based charity Children's World."We went to the charity with this idea 12 months ago and we've finally got to the stage of opening this year," said Mr Devito. Mr Devito said he had always wanted to run his own circus as he has Asperger syndrome and was bullied at school."Every child can have a dream and this is my dream, which is finally coming true," he said."I've been in the circus since I was 15 and this is my happy place." The show, titled Laughter is a Worldwide Language, is a blend of classic circus entertainment and timeless the Clown is played by Mark Foot, who has dyslexia and struggled at school. He said the circus helped him to express himself better through performance. "Within the circus, it is very, very culturally diverse and is very accepting of everybody and anything."It doesn't matter what your weaknesses or strengths are, you all have a level base that you can communicate on and come together like a big family," he said. Children and young adults from Children's World are employed to work front of house in the box office or selling candy floss and popcorn, and as backstage hands doing lighting or sound. The first performance was held in Castle Cary earlier this month, with further shows booked on 2 and 3 August at Paddington Farm, Glastonbury, and 5-7 September at Merriman Park, Street. Story part 2 goes here
Leader Live
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham Lager unveiled as lager partner for Deva Fest
Taking place between August 7 and 10 at Cholmondeley Castle, Deva Fest will see headline acts like Gloria Gaynor, The Fratellis, Happy Mondays, Matt Goss and Dj Sigala all perform. Wrexham Lager (4% ABV) will be the festival's official lager, with all on-site bars serving the award-winning high-quality lager. Deva Fest's iconic Big Top will also be renamed as the Wrexham Lager Big Top as part of the collaboration. The event promises to be its biggest celebration yet, offering a weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and festival magic. Jon Roberts, interim CEO of The Wrexham Lager Beer Co said 'Our new partnership with Deva Fest is more than just serving pints, it's about sharing our story, our taste and celebrating the best of local culture. "This collaboration allows us to share not only our signature taste but also the spirit of community and craftsmanship that defines our brand." Read more He added: 'We're thrilled to be part of a weekend filled with incredible live music, side-splitting comedy, and vibrant entertainment. It's an honour to raise a pint with Deva Fest and be part of something that brings people together in such a meaningful way.' Phil Marston, festival director at Deva Fest, said: 'We're absolutely delighted to welcome Wrexham Lager as our official lager partner for 2025. As a proudly regional brand with deep roots and an incredible heritage, Wrexham Lager is a perfect fit for Deva Fest. "The renaming of our Big Top to the Wrexham Lager Big Top is just the start of what promises to be an exciting and flavour-filled partnership. We can't wait for our festival-goers to enjoy a proper pint while taking in the amazing line-up we have planned this summer.' The news follows Wrexham Lager Beer Co signing a three-year partnership with Bangor-On-Dee racecourse, further solidifying the brand's presence across the region, as well as significant international expansion over the past 12 month into the US, Canadian, Australian, Hungarian, Scandinavian and Northern Ireland markets.
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Isle of Wight Festival 2025 TV: how to watch IOW festival?
Isle of Wight Festival has quite the line-up for 2025 😍 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Isle of Wight Festival is here for another year. The 2025 edition boasts the likes of Sting and Justin Timberlake. But if you didn't manage to get tickets - can you watch at home? The sun has truly come out to shine for the Isle of Wight Festival. Those lucky enough to secure tickets will be able to enjoy show stopping performances from Sting, Justin Timberlake and more. If you missed out or were not able to attend, you might be wondering if you can follow along from home. Sky is a major partner of the festival and will be providing coverage throughout the weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But how exactly can you watch the festival - and what can you expect? Here's all you need to know: Is the Isle of Wight Festival on TV in 2025? View of the crowd during Day 3 at The Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park on June 15, 2014 in Newport, Isle of Wight. | Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Sky will be providing coverage of the festival throughout the weekend, it has confirmed. A mix of live sets and highlights will be broadcast from today (June 20) through to Sunday (June 22). It will be available to watch across Sky Arts, Sky Showcase and Sky Mix throughout the weekend. Sting and The Stereophonics headline sets are among the coverage announced by the broadcaster. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sky will be broadcasting performances from the Main Stage and Big Top throughout the coming days. Live coverage will start in the evening on all three days - from 7pm Friday through Sunday. Can you watch a live stream of Isle of Wight festival? Now TV subscribers with the entertainment package will be able to watch Sky's coverage of the festival throughout the weekend. Sky Arts is among the channels included and can be watched live via the app on mobile, tablets and smart TVs.
Extra.ie
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Trad, techno and throwbacks: Galway's Big Top line-up has something for everyone
West is best this festival season, with the Galway International Arts Festival returning once again. The arts festival is a staple of the city that was once named the Capital of Culture (never forget), where international legends and local heroes head to the tent in the heart of the city. But who's headlining in the Big Top this July? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amble (@ambleofficial) Kicking off the Big Top season, contemporary folk band Amble are continuing their huge tour of the country in the arts festival. The trio, who just met two years ago and bonded over their love for storytelling will be heading to Galway this July, with the lads recently speaking to about their remarkable formation. Sophie Ellis-Bextor's career renaissance continues, with her heading out west this summer. Pic: GMCD Noughties fans, rejoice — two of the biggest hitmakers from the era are heading out west. After Saltburn revitalised her career and her absolute smash that is Murder on the Dancefloor, Sophie Ellis Bextor will be enjoying her career renaissance in Galway, and won't be alone — with Unwritten hitmaker Natasha Bedingfield. A huge nostalgia trip awaits Galwegians. The Mary Wallopers will be returning to Galway this summer, but a man down following Sean McKenna's departure earlier this year. Pic: Sorcha Frances Ryder Despite the departure of founding member Sean McKenna earlier this year, the Dundalk folk band are set to bring their tour out west following huge gigs in Dublin and Cork before going international. The lads are on hand to put on another memorable show this summer. These lads are everywhere this summer, with Galway just one stop on their huge international tour. The Kildare band will be entertaining out west alongside other dates in Cork, Limerick and Letterkenny, and always put on one hell of a show. The UK DJ isn't coming alone when he heads to the big top — he's bringing some homegrown talent with him. The garage artist will be bringing his high energy set to Galway alongside Dublin techno artist Tommy Holohan, but Galwegians will be delighted to see Shampain on the marquee — with the G-Town Records co-founder (and Poblacht barber) joining the pair for what's set to be a massive set.
