Circus Royale: Stranded circus to play Bayswater North shows after Christmas as COVID-19 eases

They’ve been stuck on a muddy block since March, and now the performers from Circus Royale want to thank the community for its support.

Circus Royale plan to stay in Bayswater North until after Christmas and perform some shows to thank the community. Pictured are performer Lena Knipping and owner and ringmaster Damian Syred. Picture: Josie Hayden

A group of circus performers grounded in Melbourne’s outer east during COVID-19 plan to finish off their interrupted season to thank the community for its overwhelming support.

Leader can reveal Circus Royale is set to play at least two weeks of shows after Christmas in Bayswater North, at its site on the corner of Dorset and Canterbury roads.

The circus – which includes more than 30 international performers and crew – has been stuck on the muddy block since March after the coronavirus outbreak halted its season.

It has been unable to leave due to interstate border restrictions and has been reduced to operating a canteen on the side of the road.

The outbreak has cost the circus hundreds of thousands of dollars and it has had to sell some of its trucks and equipment to stay afloat.

Ringmaster Damien Syred said the circus was waiting on advice from the Department of Health and Human Services on how many spectators it could have per show in its 750-capacity tent.

The State Government eased Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions on December 6 to allow entertainment venues to operate at 75 per cent capacity, with a cap of 1000 fans.

“We’re waiting to find out what we can and can’t do, and once we get that information, we’ll go back to the council and the landowner to get everything up and running accordingly and go ahead with shows,” Mr Syred said.

“It’s a grey area as to what classification they are going to put us under.”

Mr Syred said staying longer and performing shows was the best option economically for the circus instead of packing up and leaving straightaway.

He said the circus wanted to give back to the community for its ongoing support during its ordeal, which has seen various groups regularly donate meals for performers and feed for its animals.

A GoFundMe has also allowed it to keep power running on site through a generator.

“We still had two weeks of shows booked in when we had to cancel,” Mr Syred said.

“We have spent the whole time here and been through the whole lockdown with other Victorians, and we would like to do some shows for the community.

“They’ve been so supportive to us, so if we could at least do a few shows before moving on that would be ideal for us.”

The DHHS has been contacted for comment.