It couldn’t have come at a better time.
Just weeks after the new show “Circus 1903” opened at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, it was announced that the most famous circus of all — Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey — would be ending for good.
Meanwhile, Simon Painter and his creative team — who’d already found great success with their turn-of-the-century magic show “The Illusionists”— were just kicking off their nostalgic tribute to the heyday of circus.
That production will be on stage at Dayton’s Schuster Center June 13-18.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The acts on view will range from teeter-board acrobatics and juggling to cycling and high wire.
Many of the performers on stage come from multi-generational circus families in France, Ukraine, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Russia. The technical crew numbers 50.
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WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
To address the live animal dilemma, producers came up with an interesting substitution. The animals, so integral to circuses of the past, will be represented by puppets created by the folks of Significant Object, who brought us the amazing life-like horses in “Warhorse.”
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"The history of circus is so fascinating. It's such a beautiful art and a hundred years ago it was the only style of entertainment, " says director Neil Dorward. "We wanted to tell a different side of the story — about the hard work that was required of these performers and about their human capabilities."
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It’s hard work for the crew as well. Dorward says creating a big top inside a proscenium stage that varies with every city is a challenge. “The set design is quite complicated,” he says. “We consulted circus people about the rigging, the high wire acts. We toured the world for the best acts out there.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: "Circus 1903," a romantic tribute to the Golden Age of Circus
WHEN: June 13-18
WHERE: Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton
RECOMMENDED: For ages 6 and up. The show runs two hours plus intermission.
TICKETS: Prices range from $30-$97. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or online at www.Circus1903.com. Group rates are available at (937) 461-8295.