Circus Royale stuck in Bayswater North after being forced to shut down due to coronavirus
If you think lockdown at home is tough, spare a thought for the members of Circus Royale. They’ve been living in caravans on a muddy block in Melbourne’s outer east for four months after coronavirus halted their tour.
Outer East
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They’ve been stuck on a muddy block for four months — but the performers from Circus Royale are still training and trying to take lockdown in their stride.
The circus, which has been going for 49 years, is grounded in Bayswater North and was halfway through its season when the coronavirus hit hard in March.
Its 33 performers — including 22 from overseas — are living in caravans surrounded by horses, camels, geese and dismantled circus equipment they normally use for thrilling acts.
The situation is starting to get desperate — owner and ringmaster Damian Syred estimates he’s spent about $200,000 on power, rent, food and a small allowance for his performers, most of whom are ineligible for Jobkeeper payments.
He’s opened a canteen on weekends to try and stay afloat, and is selling equipment and trucks after it became too costly to keep them registered.
“We’ve been selling off a bit of equipment we don’t need to try and cover costs for most of the things,” Mr Syred said.
“I don’t think anyone was prepared for this, it’s just really disappointing and we feel like we’ve been forgotten and the government doesn’t seem to appreciate this industry.”
German acrobat and dancer Lena Knipping, 21, said her gumboots had become essential with puddles of water and mud forming on the block on the corner of Canterbury and Dorset roads.
Despite the tough conditions, she said she’d kept herself occupied by trying different training routines and sewing outfits for other performers.
“I feel stuck, but I think the whole world feels stuck at the moment,” Ms Knipping said.
“We try our best to make every day a good day, and train as much as we can.”
Mr Syred said he had been buoyed by the support of neighbours and people who had visited the site and donated food and other items.
But he hoped a white knight could help the circus eventually get back on the road.
“It’s something I’ve worked so hard to build up, and the risk of potentially losing it all because of something that wasn’t our doing is a bit devastating,” Mr Syred said.
“When charities ask for tickets and we go to towns hit by floods or fires, we always try and do shows to raise money and give back to the community, and now it feels like we need a bit of a hand.”
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