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In 2020, after many months of performances halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, clowns, jugglers, and artists of the Estoril Circus in Rio de Janeiro found a way to go back to the stage. They created a drive-in circus to keep being able to entertain a populace which, these days, needs uplifting creative performances more than ever in their lives.
Founded in 1898 in Portugal, Brazil’s Estoril Circus took a hard hit when performances were stopped for extended periods of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspired by drive-in cinemas, the circus, which has been in Brazil for 30 years, is now providing drive-in shows to ensure that people get entertained while observing social distancing.
For Anderson de Souza Silva, the circus’s Batatinha Clown (in Portuguese meaning “little potato”), having the venue closed for months was like losing a loved one.
Anderson said, “Today, thank God, we are having the opportunity with the drive-in model to start our performances again. I cannot describe the happiness and content I feel being allowed to be on stage again.”
Magician Daniela Portugal also expressed her happiness about the reopening of the circus. “It was a great feeling when we turned on the lights in our tent again.”
So, in the summer of 2020, for the first time in the long history of Estoril Circus, it was not bleachers filled with spectators that surrounded the circus ring. It was cars.
Yet, the spectators’ delight behind their windscreens wasn’t diminished at all. Instead of thunderous applause they showed their appreciation with loud honking.
Performers and audiences both were immensely grateful to have been given back the most healing “medicine” of all: laughter.
Willian Cezar, a 40-year-old Itaguai city councilman, took his family to the show.
“My daughter, for example, since I told her about the circus she asked me: ‘Is it today? Is it today? Is it today?’ To be in contact with culture is really nice. It’s amazing. She’s loving it,” Cezar said.
Still, enthusiasm was not enough after the extended closures and, compared to before, relatively low incomes.
The financial situation of the circus remained precarious whilst cast and crew tried their best together to keep their company afloat.
At the time, in July 2020, the pandemic had left only 35 of 78 employees still working at the circus. As a direct result, the artists had to share responsibilities with the crew.
Before and after their performances on stage, they sold tickets or helped at the small food court that delivered popcorn and beverages to the audience’s cars.
The tent had capacity for 40 vehicles. And the price of the ticket per car was between 14 and 18 USD.
Thankfully and amazingly, due to their admirable efforts, the Estoril Circus prevailed.
At this moment in time, in January 2022, shows are again taking place with spectators sitting on bleachers instead of in their cars.
Hopefully, there will be no more long-term lock-downs. For there are only so many closures small, independent entertainment companies like Estoril Circus can sustain.
Our thoughts and greatest respect are with the entire cast and crew of Circo Estoril!
AP Photos by Leo Correa
Original article by AP Images Blog
Ticket site for Circo Estoril
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Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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