The Herman Renz Circus is a town on its own, with its houses on wheels and its inhabitants from 12 different countries. During the circus season (from March to September), this little town travels to 80 cities where it stays from 2 days to three weeks. 70 persons work for this circus and live there with their children. These kids even have their own school - Diana (since 1996), officially approved by the State and called so after the former director, Diana Renz, deceased. They have their own teacher. People use to speak German and Dutch there.

After the show, the whole circus' infrastructures are unfixed by 20 specialists. The circus then leaves and travels to the next town during the night. After a small nap, everyone starts to fix it in the morning, so the circus could be ready for show-time seven hours later. It's also necessary to announce the circus' arrival. Three persons are working on it full-time while nailing placards and stitching posters on walls and smaller ones on shop windows.

In the stables, veterinaries are in charge of the daily care of the animals. Every week, the circus needs to be supplied with hay, sawdust and animal food. Along with the men, animals produce tens of kilograms of junk and excrements every week. In order to carry it, the circus owns two special vehicles. And that's far from it: there's also electric generators, kitchens, dressing rooms, rooms for technique officers… As you may realize, it's already a show in itself.

People always cared a lot about the animals at the Renz circus. People even use to say that the circus, it's the clowns, the acrobats and the animals, because without animals, it's just a traveling variety show. However, some animal defense associations are strongly opposed to the artistic work of the animals. It's true that in some cases, bad care or tough taming methods may lead to catastrophes. But those cases are a few exceptions, even though it may badly harm the circus' reputation. The Renz Circus work with animals since the beginning (in 1911) and every visitor can realize that they're in good health. The fact that they're treated well is an honor issue for the direction.

Every animal lives in large stalls and can interact with the public. And if the place is designed to do so, the elephants can run completely free. Everyone can see the stables, attend the rehearsals and make sure the animals are fine. The animals are actually the colleagues of the artists : the circus lives along with the animals. They're under the supervision of the Dutch Ministry of agriculture, of veterinary inspection and of the Utrecht faculty. Just come to admire them and notice the pleasure that human beings show while working with animals.

Every year, the Herman Renz circus creates a whole new program. A special attention is drawn to costumes, choreography, light and sound effects. The show isn't only a succession of performances : there's an idea consolidating the concept. For example, Carambar, in 2000, traced back the history of circus from the beginning (and the amphitheaters of the Roman games) to nowadays (and dogs playing soccer) pointing out every period, as the Middle Ages by either its public squares and the taming of horses as they used to do in the Astley times.

During the whole show, the dancers of the Herman Renz circus will add elegance and mood. The artists will be joined by 7 musicians who don't know any style they find to weird to play. 100 spotlights and 50 computers will help technicians taking care of lights and sounds. Everything will be directed by Robert Ronday, who will also be in charge of the presentation of the show.

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Follow the Herman Renz tour with the tourpage on their website.

In order to book seats, phone at 0909.503.0060 (from the Netherlands)