Clown and out: No circus for Huddersfield?

Sep 11 2008 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PLANS to bring the world’s most famous circus troupe back to Huddersfield are under threat.

And organisers of the Moscow State Circus fear for the future of circus entertainment in Huddersfield after they were told there is nowhere to put the shows.

The circus wanted to return to town next year following sell-out performances on their last two visits in 2004 and 2006.

But Kirklees Council has told circus bosses there are no suitable sites.

The circus has been advised to talk to Galpharm Stadium officials in a last-ditch bid to save the show.

Circus marketing director John Haze said: “The circus is one of the oldest forms of entertainment still being performed. It would be tragic if it could never come back to Huddersfield.

“Maybe they should limit it to one circus every six months or every year, but not to have one at all would be a disaster.”

Show manager Paul Archer added: “Unless something is sorted out soon it would appear that we will not be able to come and what worries me is it is looking as though the circus may never be able to perform in Huddersfield again.”

The circus, including jugglers, tightrope walkers, acrobats and strongmen, played five days at Greenhead Park in 2004.