Performers Create a Drive-in Circus in Brazil
After almost four months of being unable to perform due to the pandemic, clowns, jugglers, and artists of the Estoril Circus in Rio de Janeiro, found a “vaccine” to go back to the stage. They created the circus drive-in. Inspired by the model used for cinema, the alternative performance inside the circus tent ensures social distancing measures are still observed amid the continued COVID-19 crisis.
The entertainment industry was hit hard when it had to stop its activities during the pandemic and the circus was no exception. For Anderson de Souza Silva, the circus’ “Batatinha” Clown, which in Portuguese means Little Potato, having the circus closed for months was like losing a loved one. “Today, thank God, we are having the opportunity with the drive-in model to start the performance again,” he said.
Due to the pandemic and the following economic downturn, only 35 of the 78 people who were working for the circus ahead of the outbreak remain. Some artists share responsibilities, and after performing they sell tickets or help at the food court to deliver popcorn and beverages to the audience in their cars. The tent can hold 40 vehicles, and the price of the ticket per car is between $15 and $20 USD. The circus, which started in 1898 in Portugal, has been in Brazil for 30 years and for the first time had cars parked around the stage instead of a crowd of people. From car windows, children and adults enjoyed the show where applause was replaced with car horns and flashing headlights.
A child watches from inside the car artists performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Artists ride their motorcycles in the Globe of death during a performance at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Drivers arrive at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, performs at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, grimaces to the mirror as he puts on his clown face before performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Magician Daniela Portugal breast-fed her 4-month baby before performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Portugal had his baby at the same period that the pandemic reached the country. “It was a great feeling when we turned on the lights of the circus again, after 4 months”, says the magician. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Driver arrives at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Juggler Lucas performs at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, puts on his clown face before performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Edson Luan, the clown Pipoca, looks at cars arriving for the show at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Pipoca says he can’t holds herself with such emotion to start performing again. “To return to the work is good, but I still keep maintaining the social distancing staying all the time in my trailer”, completes the 30-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, prepares to perform in the Globe of death, as his 2-year-old son sits on a playpen at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A circus employee holds balloons to sale at the entrance of the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
On the backstage, Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, prepares to perform in the Globe of death, at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Juggler Lucas performs at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Anderson de Souza, the clown Batatinha, performs at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. “The pandemic is a reality for all of us. After 4 months closed it’s a great emotion to perform in this drive-in format”, says the 36-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Edson Luan, the clown Pipoca, performs at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Pipoca says he can’t holds herself with such emotion to start performing again. “To return to the work is good, but I still keep maintaining the social distancing staying all the time in my trailer”, completes the 30-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A child watches from inside the car artists performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Artists enter with their motorcycles in the Globe of death at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Edson Luan, the clown Pipoca, looks at his smartphone after sending a message to a colleague clown who got infected by COVID-19 before performing at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai, greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Pipoca says he can’t holds herself with such emotion to start performing again. “To return to the work is good, but I still keep maintaining the social distancing staying all the time in my trailer”, completes the 30-year-old artist. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Drivers arrive at the Estoril Circus amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Itaguai greater Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 18, 2020. Following the measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19, artists of this circus have decided to go back to work in a different way as circus drive-in. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)