Cranes in Circus Shows - Cirque Bijou

Thought cranes only belonged on building sites? Over the years we have used them time and time again as a dynamic and safe structure from which to perform amazing circus and put on spectacular shows.

Working with talented designers and makers we have created circus equipment specifically to hang off cranes. These are used as a base from which circus performers can showcase their talents, aerialists can dazzle audiences and pyrotechnics can light up the skies. Their height enables us to easily perform to large crowds and lends a gravitas to our already out-of-this-world performances.

Past Shows

At MDL Beast in 2019 four performers hung from our Crane Ring, running and jumping around the structure whilst our LED violinist performed suspended above them.

An aerialist in our led dress performs above our aerial carousel, surrounded by four other performers illuminated against the black night sky — *Cirque Beast during MDL Beast – a three-day festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together the best in music, performing arts and culture.*

As part of the 2012 Olympic Ceremony torch relay, we rigged an aerialist off of one of Bristol Harbour’s iconic historic cranes.

An aerialist poses dramatically against a clear blue sky - yellow flags fly around her — *Performance above Bristol harbour as part of the Bristol torch relay for the 2012 Olympic Ceremony. Photo by Andre Pattenden*

In 2013 at Festival of Speed we created a pyrotechnic extravaganza! Fireworks lit up the sky beautifully illuminating our dangling performer and her flaming aerial hoop.

*For the Driver’s Ball at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo by Harry Elliott*

Equipment Testing

Our Crane Ring is one of the main structures we use. Out of action for the past two years due to COVID, it was high time to dust it off and bring it out of storage. With some exciting new crane shows on the horizon, we booked a day with our experienced riggers to test and weight load the equipment.

When dealing with any kind of equipment or props, let alone ones which are going to be hung from height, regular testing and maintenance is essential. Our riggers spent the day checking joints and fastenings, adding weight to the structure to check its integrity and making sure that everything was performing as it should.

Future Shows

We’re currently working with Camp Bestival developing a brand new crane show for their Dorset festival this July. Our Disco Show is going to be a vibrant and musical celebration of everything disco, including Camp Bestival’s famous mirror ball as the centrepiece. To find out more about our involvement at the festival over the years, read our news article For the love of Camp Bestival.

Subject to funding, you’ll also be able to catch us (not literally!) at Salford Quays in June. With Quays Culture we are working on an immersive programme of events including our LED umbrellas, an audio journey around the quays and a spectacular crane show.

Watch this space for more updates as we have them, and hopefully see you at a Crane Show soon!

_{Feature Picture: Crane Show performance in Malta in 2014. Photo by Jason Busutill}