GREENSBORO – An email message from Circus Smirkus to members of the community shared that a trouper injured in a rigging incident July 22 was in the audience at a recent show.
Circus Smirkus courtesy photo
At the show, in Wrentham Mass., a trouper performing aerial maneuvers on silks fell from a height described by various sources at between 10 and 20 feet. After being stabilized by a nurse in the audience, the trouper was transported to receive emergency medical care in Rhode Island.
“Immediately following the incident, Circus Smirkus leadership engaged an outside rigging consultant to inspect all rigging systems under the big top to assess the cause of the accident,” said the message. “While conducting this initial evaluation, we canceled remaining shows in Wrentham on July 23, and the 11 a.m. show in Waltham, Mass., on July 25.” The message continued, “The report recommended next steps for future rigging safety documentation and inspections, and we have incorporated those recommendations to our inspections and process.”
The organization confirmed it “made the decision to proceed with ground acts only for the remainder of the Big Top Tour,” and to reduce tour’s length “by cancelling two sites, Hanover, N.H., and Milton, Vt., to bring performers and staff back to our headquarters for time to regroup without the added pressures of being on the road.”
The two previously scheduled finale shows on August 17 were to “include three simplified aerial acts,” said the message. “In the meantime, we continue working directly and internally to support the troupers, their families, our staff and our immediate partners.”
The tour’s last two shows in Greensboro, Sunday, August 17, on the theme, “Game On!,” were sold out.
Circus Smirkus said, “We are committed to transparency as we navigate this process and we ask for your patience and grace. We welcome your concerns, questions and support. Inquiries should please be directed to [email protected].”
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
