Circus Royale and Silvers Circus are ready to inspire awe and delight in audiences one again

Like many businesses, Covid did a number on the state’s travelling circus industry — but there are still big tops thrilling crowds.

Victoria’s circus industry may have dwindled after two years of a pandemic, but there are still big tops touring the state.

Circus Royale

Circus Royale celebrated 50 years of touring Australia in 2021, and is set for a strong come back after multiple lockdowns hampered its shows.

Owner and ringmaster Damian Syred, is a well-seasoned circus family member, and has owned Circus Royale for the past 15 years.

“It’s a lifestyle I really enjoy, and something I’ve been doing for a very long time,” he said.

When students are normally looking into more traditional career paths like nursing, law or teaching, Mr Syred did his work experience “under a tent”.

“I did do my work experience within a circus, and that definitely started my love for it,” he said.

“Then I got the opportunity 15 years ago to buy one, and I took it and haven’t looked back since.”

Boasting a 14-act show that Mr Syred said was “minimal” compared to before Covid, Circus Royale is travelling with 26 performers, some from overseas.

“Many of our performers had been unable to return home during Covid,” Mr Syred said.

“We spent our lockdown in 2021 here at Bayswater, and we have been really lucky.

“The community here has been so kind and supportive to us, so we are definitely happy to be back with a new show.”

Mr Syred said the circus changes its show with every round trip of Australia.

“We usually take about four years to travel a show around the country,” he said.

“We never do the same show tour twice.”

Circus Royale is currently running at the corner of Canterbury and Dorset Rd in Bayswater, image: Circus Royale

Creating new shows is a time consuming task, but Mr Syred said it has becoming much easier as technology develops.

“Back when I bought the circus, we began with stacks of VHS tapes filled with submissions,” My Syred said.

“Now people can just email through a link and we can watch everything online. It’s definitely more streamlined.”

Circus Royale is performing at the corner of Dorset & Canterbury Rd in Bayswater from July 28 to August 21.

You can purchase tickets here.

Silvers Circus

The Sesame Street Circus Spectacular by Silvers – including Ring Master Michael Keen with Elmo and Abby Cadabby. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Silvers Circus was founded in Sydney, in 1946, and is one of the oldest running circuses left in Australia.

The original company was dissolved in 1953, but the name was picked again 20 years later by the Gasser family, who still own and run Silvers.

Co-owner Keith Brown ran away with the circus at 14.

“Mum said if we got a job then we could leave school, so that’s what I did,” Mr Brown said.

“I went down to the visiting circus in Adelaide, and got a job. We left for Perth the next day.”

Obviously, this worked out for Mr Brown, still working in the circus 45 years later.

“I love it. The lifestyle, the shows, all of it,” he said.

Mr Brown, travelling with a new show, “Sesame St Circus Spectacular” with Silvers’ Circus, said that it was a relief to be back after two years of Covid.

“It was very touch and go for a while there,” he said.

“We would get a green light, and then be shutdown, multiple times. At one point it cost us over $1 million to house our crews throughout lockdown.”

Many things may have changed in the time Mr Brown has been in the circus, but his favourite part of it all remains the same.

“I love seeing the faces of people who are amazed. It’s what makes people come back again and again. The wonder that a circus creates is the best thing about the job.”

Silvers’ Sesame St Circus Spectacular is in Shepparton until August 7, 2022.

You can purchase tickets here.

Other circuses touring Victoria this year include Brass Monkeys in September, and Werk It in October.

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