European Circus review from Simon De Winter

As promised I'm letting you know how Gruss was.
I didn't have a picture in my head of how massive the cathedral would be so I wasn't disappointed. In fact in size it's the same but then in a whole...
In my opinion it's an improvement. Above the public's entrance there's created a balcony, real nice view from there!
The main tent and foyer are separated by a blue canvas, the foyer is rather cold compared to what it was before. The merchandise boutique is replaced with glass cases.

The artists entrance is still the same (so very nice :) ).
The show "Cité de Cirque" isn't better then Mirages in my opinion but it is a good show. It's real Gruss so: nice light, innovative music, beautiful costumes.
The exotics are improved, highlight: lama jumping three donkeys standing next to each other.
No hind leg walking lama seen.
The Chinese numbers are technically real good.
The elephants now have finally some pretty head pieces who match the show. The routines are nice and fast, Montez needs less assistance then last time. Though I heard from several corners they think there's too many explicit hook work. It didn't really got to me, maybe I should see the act another time.

I really loved the horse liberty, no less then 12 stallions on the elevated ring. 27 march not everything went right but I think Biasini still has to roll in the act/animals.
I saw Redi and Soara Christiani for the first time. What I should say about them:
they have a much better tiger truck then I expected (it had big verandas, was high and had lying platforms on different heights).
The act is no Daniel Raffo but it's smooth. No sitting up with several cats. Some nice jumps. They're all big sized cats.
Often announced as a duo but mostly Redi is alone in the cage.

I also visited Herman Renz in Holland tuesday. It has gipsy theme this year.
Now this show takes classical one-ring circus to perfection. If you come to Europe, don't miss them.
On the animal side:

when many circusfans heard Renz would only have 3 togni tigers, they were buzzing "hilarious! only three tigers...bla bla"
but each individual works swift, looks stunning and participates in the show. Suppmeier is at it's best with the big cats I think
I think you know there routines...
Adriana Folco restyled her act for this year (last year it was rather las vegas styled with tuxedo costume and black shiny stick)
This year it was introduced by oriental dancers
Her elephant Baby had beautiful paintings on her head (last year she had glitters), and Adriana wears some kind of Balinese templedancers costume.
As music she used the kiss-song from Tarkan (title: Simarik).
I loved that performance (it was the final)
At the big finale (florilegio style) Baby re-enters and blows out the candle on the partys table.

www.circusdays.be

Thank you, Simon