After the show, the whole circus' infrastructures are unfixed by 20 specialists. The circus then leaves and travels to the next town during the night. After a small nap, everyone starts to fix it in the morning, so the circus can be ready for show-time seven hours later. It's also necessary to announce the circus' arrival. Three persons are working on it full-time while nailing placards and stitching posters on walls and smaller ones on shop windows.

In the stables, veterinaries are in charge of the daily care of the animals. Every week, the circus needs to be supplied with hay, sawdust and animal food. Along with the men, animals produce tens of kg of junk and excrements every week. In order to carry it, the circus owns two special vehicles. And that's far from it: there's also electric generators, kitchens, dressing rooms, rooms for technique officers… As you may notice, it's already a show in itself.

People always cared a lot about the animals at the Renz circus. People even use to say that the circus, it's the clowns, the acrobats and the animals, because without animals, it's just a travelling variety show. However, some animal defence associations are strongly opposed to the artistic work of the animals. It's true that in some cases, bad care or tough taming methods may lead to catastrophes. But those cases are a few exceptions, even though it may badly harm the circus' reputation. The Renz Circus works with animals since the beginning (in 1911) and every visitor can notice that they're in good health. The fact that they're treated well is an honour issue for the direction.

Every animal lives in large stalls and can interact with the public. And if the place is designed to do so, the elephants can run completely free. Everyone can see the stables, attend the rehearsals and make sure the animals are fine. The animals are actually the colleagues of the artists: the circus lives along with the animals. They're under the supervision of the Dutch Ministry of agriculture, of veterinary inspection and of the Utrecht faculty. Just come to admire them and notice the pleasure that human beings show while working with animals.

Philosophy behind the shows

Every year, the Herman Renz circus creates a whole new program. A special attention is drawn to costumes, choreography, light and sound effects. The show isn't only a succession of performances: there's an idea consolidating the concept. For example, the Carambar show traced back the history of circus from the beginning (and the amphitheatres of the Roman games) to nowadays (and dogs playing football) pointing out every period, as the Middle Ages by either its public squares and the taming of horses as they used to do in the Astley times.

During the whole show, the dancers of the Herman Renz circus will add elegance and mood. The artists will be joined by 7 musicians who don't know any style they find too weird to play. 100 spotlights and 50 computers will help technicians taking care of lights and sounds. Everything will be directed by Robert Ronday, who will also be in charge of the presentation of the show.

Some current and former artists

Martin Lacey: This young Englishman, son of two famous tamers, won the silver clown at the Monte-Carlo festival. He shows his 8 lions in a “Roman Coliseum” way.

Duo The Rocks: These two young Hungarian acrobats perform a balance and strength act with a really beautiful choreography and a high skill level.

Les Sandros: This hot-blooded artist is the king of the roll. He can pile up to five rolls and keep it in balance as if there was nothing easier.

Silvio Schwichtenberg: This artist came from Germany with two elephants. He also gets along with eight horses.

Duo Starlight: Les Sandros and his wife perform an exhibition of strength and modernism in a rollerblade show.

Evgeny Yakushev: Thanks to two ropes, he gets to the top of the big top and uses to give cold sweats to the audience while being twelve metres from the ground.

The trio Manastrysky: Formed at the Russian State circus, the trio performs a completely genuine transformation and illusion show. Tatiana, for instance, changes at lightspeed during this perfectly organized performance full of poetry.

The Flying Brothers: These young prodigies of the trapeze are without a doubt the future stars of tomorrow's circus.

The Kim troupe: Strength, grace and courage belong to the performance of those young people who climb at the top of rods as if they wanted to watch better the circus of the future.

Marco Althoff: Since he's born in a circus, he perfectly knows the animals and will be able to prove it in two shows: the first one is starring elephants, the other, horses.

Milko & Christiaan: They just can't be out of the program... Next to their musical qualities, they can show by their acting skills and their humour that they're more than just ordinary clowns. The fans of the Renz Circus already know them and can tell anyone that they're high level artists.

Further information

Follow the Herman Renz tour with the tourpage on their website.

In order to book seats, phone at 0909.503.0060 (from the Netherlands)

To join the circus, send an e-mail to : toin@renz.nl
Find more information on the web site : http://www.renz.nl/