Grandma the Clown and Mummenschanz, the Swiss movement theater, will be the featured performers as the Big Apple circus returns to Hanoverfrom Tuesday, July 18 through Sunday, July 23.
"Grandma Meets Mummen-schanz" is the theme of this year's performance, which will take place at the Fullington Farm circus grounds, three miles north of theGreen on Route 10, the Lyme Road.
"The circus is never better, only different,"said Georgia Croft, media relations director for the Hopkins Center."The performers are world-class."
For the first time, the Big Apple circus will be held in an air-conditioned tent, Croft said.
"Last year, the circus occurred during the middle of a heat wave," Croft said. "The new tent is not only air-conditioned, but has better visibility, and is more comfortable."
Croft said that the tent capacity is 1,974 people per performance.About 15,000 to 16,000 spectators will visit the circus this summer.
In addition to Grandma the Clown and Mummenschanz, this year's show will also feature circus regulars Katja Schumann and Max Schumann with their trained horses. Al Calienes will do a skit with Grandma the Clown, and Katherine Schumann Binder and Vladimir Egorov will performacrobatic skills.
Guest artists include award winning juggler Arburo Alegria. The Egorov Troupe, the Russian high wire troupe last seen with the Big Apple in 1991, will exhibit their world-renowned flying act.
Skye and Stormy Williams, with Amy, the elephant, and Ben Williams, with Ned, the elephant, will also return as featured performers. Lisa Dufresne, a former equestrian star with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, willexhibit her talents.
Mummenschanz, who has performed at the Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts several times, is the creation of two Swiss mimes, Bernie Schurch and Andres Brossard. In the 1960s, they developed an act combining spoken dialogue with mask sketches to create humorous effects.
After another mime, Floriana Frassetto, joined their group, they ceased using dialogue and began to rely solely on mime to create imaginary skits.
Since its formation,Mumme-nschanz has added acting, dance, puppetry, and magic to its performances of illusion. The group has performed at the Edinburgh and Spoieto festivals, in London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Copenhagen, Brussels, and South America. Mummenschanz has also performed on Broadway.
Grandma the Clown is one of the most popular parts of the Big Apple Circus, according to Croft.
Since 1982, Barry Lubin has played Grandma the Clown. Lubin performed with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circuses for five years before making Grandma the Clown one of the Big Apple's starring attractions.
The raising of the tent will occur between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m on Monday, July 17. It is open to the public, without charge.
The Big Apple Circus opens Tuesday, July 18, with one show at 8 p.m. Shows are at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 22. On Sunday, July 23, there will be shows at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $8.50 to $23 for Dartmouth students and children under 12. Tickets for adults cost from $11.50 to $25. .
Tickets are available at the Hopkins Center Box Office, open Mondays from noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturdayfrom noon to 8:30 p.m. Telephone orders will also be accepted Monday from noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
The Big Apple Circus is based in New York City.. It is directed by founder and ringmaster Paul Binder '63.
