GREENSBORO – The Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour returns to its Greensboro headquarters for the season’s two final performances, August 17, following a rigging accident, July 22, in Wrentham, Mass., that resulted in the cancellation of the next day’s shows, alterations to following performances and the cancelation of others.
A message to the Circus Smirkus community, August 5, offered the first information from the organization following the accident involving an 18-year-old aerial silk artist who fell during the evening performance. Performances the following day were canceled.
The injured performer, whose name is being withheld by Circus Smirkus, is expected to recover, and has attended a recent performance, according to the organization.
The message read, “Dear Smirkus Community, It is with profound sadness that we share the news of a rigging incident that occurred during a recent Big Top Tour performance. The trouper involved is a beloved member of the Smirkus family. Their spirit, generosity, and dedication in and out of the ring shines. We are holding their family in our hearts as we root them on towards recovery.”
It went on to share, “Performances following the incident were canceled and we have also canceled upcoming performances in Hanover, NH and Milton, VT. We will close our tour with the finale shows performed, as previously scheduled at our headquarters in Greensboro . . .
“Thank you for being part of the Smirkus community. We’re grateful for your support, patience, and understanding.”
A Newport Daily Express report July 28, indicated Wrentham, Mass, Police Chief William McGrath, said “first responders were dispatched to a call at 7:49 p.m., regarding a performer who had fallen 10 to 20 feet while using aerial silks, and was suspected of having a spinal injury.”
A nurse attending the show immediately aided the fallen performer, “providing traction to keep his neck and spine straight,” they reported
“When officers arrived on the scene, the victim was alert, conscious and able to speak,” McGrath said, according to the report. “Fortunately, the performer is expected to recover from the injuries sustained in the fall,” said the Executive and Artistic Director Rachel Schiffer.
A spokesperson for the organization said, “Safety is paramount and a serious component in all of the training and performances.”
As the tour continued through Massachusetts and Maine, performances were limited to ground acts, said Schiffer. An announcement at the top of each show reassured the audience, saying “heart, joy and skill that defines every Circus Smirkus performance are still center stage.”
Circus Smirkus, founded by Rob Mermin in 1987, is a traveling youth circus based in Greensboro, Vermont. It aims to promote circus arts, culture, and traditions, inspiring young people in circus skills. Mermin, inspired by his own experiences in European circuses, established Smirkus to provide a space for young people to pursue their circus dreams.
Every summer, a freshly auditioned company of Smirkus Troupers, ages 10 to 18, take to the road in traditional mud show fashion for a two-month performance tour of New England.
A mud show, according to historical newspaper accounts, was a traveling show that moved from town to town, setting up in the morning and performing before moving on at night. They were known for their rough-and-tumble travel conditions, often traversing muddy roads in horse-drawn wagons. The modern circus is said to have evolved from these types of shows.
Circus Smirkus connects to those roots, with a modern approach, backed by professional coaches, cooks, musicians and crew. The performers, called Smirkos, perform to sell-out crowds in a 700-seat European-style one-ring big top tent.
Each year brings a new story line and original full-length show combining the best in traditional and contemporary circus styles giving Troupers the full experience of touring in a classic traveling tent show. Smirkos are completely immersed in circus life, with rigorous training, daily chores and the loading in and loading out of the Big Top,
This year’s theme, “Game On,” brings board games to life with rolling dice, a whirling spinner, a checkerboard that bursts with acrobats leaping and tumbling while aerial chess queens plot their next moves high above.
The troupers and their support team are now back in Greensboro preparing for two shows on Sunday, Aug 17, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are available on the smirkus.org website.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
It’s clear that the Circus Arts requires an independent regulatory system to protect its youth and minor participants with increased oversight. We need Congress to get involved and act in the form of legislative solutions for the performing arts. Incidents such as these will continue to occur and be handled internally. Much like we’ve done with youth sports, it’s totally plausible and possible to enact the same safety measures and protections for the Circus Arts and the Arts. The industry wants this and the majority of industry professionals can agree that common sense reforms should be made.