Gandeys willing to bend over backwards to perform
TIGHTROPE walkers, jugglers and contortionists may no longer be able to perform in Guernsey if there is no financial aid to support the circus they are part of through the coronavirus crisis, a Gandeys Circus representative has said.
Despite a resurgence of the circus industry in the past decade, their future is in doubt, according to Gandeys’ Binky Beaumont, who revealed they were struggling to continue without help or any guidance.
‘The industry is really struggling with no bail outs, financial help or assistance and no clear direction for an exit strategy since we were forced to shut in March,’ he said.
‘This is currently being ignored and we are really in trouble as we cannot get any answers or help from the UK government.’
As a mobile theatre that can alter their surroundings to best suit any situation and area, he said they could manage shows with social distancing in place, however, he felt their pleas were being both misconstrued and ignored.
‘The government are putting us in the same grouping and conditions as the theatres that cannot social distance the audience or change the interior of an often older building that was designed to maximise audience numbers by way of space and seating,’ he said.
‘Many older venues even have listed urinals tucked under stair wells and in corners, which will not assist social distancing regulations.’
Mr Beaumont added that it was vitally important to them to be able to continue soon and could do so with the correct procedures in place.
‘The circus was created in the UK by an Englishman named Phillip Astley over 250 years ago and is of huge cultural importance as circus shows can go to smaller towns that do not have a theatre and are family orientated,’ he said.
‘There are over 40 touring productions in the UK but thousands across the globe. This is an entertainment that can be easily socially distanced and spaced out with both the seating, entrance and exits into the sections and of course toilets, as we can space them around many entrances and exits in a mobile tensile structure and event site.
‘There is no difference to big tops than with a marquee or covered temporary area being allowed to be put up outside pubs and restaurants.’
Gandeys Circus is hoping to return to Guernsey this year.
