THE CAST OF CIRCUS ABYSSINIA
The Cast of Circus Abyssinia: Tesfamichael Bilal Endris, Fikir Gebremedhin Hussen, Befekadu Esmael Awol, Endalkachew Belaynehe Abate, Abraham Tadesse Agezom, Helen Shimeles Merkebe, Abraham Lemma Taga, Daniel Gezahegn Werku, Semeret Getachew Bekana, Ezera Nigusse Gebremariam, Elshaday Shimels Gessesse, Alemayehu Mulugeta Degenet, Etsegenet Ashenafi Laglago, Ermiyas Manayeh Meshesha, Betelhem Dejene Tola, Tarekegn Teshome Habte
One of the most beautiful things that has come about through the making of Circus Abyssinia is the literal way it has allowed us to share our story. It is with immense pride that we welcome to the cast twelve dazzling acrobats from the circus school that we're funding back in Ethiopia, in the nation's capital, Addis Ababa. The troupe joined us for the first time in the UK in 2015, for their debut in Giffords Circus' Moon Songs, and, since joining Circus Abyssinia, have been wowing audiences with stunning feats of contortion, cloth-spinning, clowning, hand-vaulting (human juggling!), infectious ensemble dance numbers and an eight-strong double Chinese Pole act.
The cast hails from Circus Wingate, which came to our attention in 2010 as a circus school in Ethiopia that was bursting with talent but woefully lacking in funds. Because we owe our success to the help of so many, it is very important to us to provide the same kind of support to other circus dreams, Ethiopian artists in particular, who also come from afar, to make their names and fortunes in the circus worlds overseas. Of course our sponsorship of Circus Wingate has now been repaid many times over, first by watching the school flourish, and now, simply by watching the troupe perform. Scroll down to see them in action in the video at the bottom of the page!
The cast back in 2013 with their coach,
Solomon Tadese, at Circus Wingate.
Young up-and-comers at Circus Wingate!