Public distaste for performing animals is spearheading change in the circus industry. German entertainer, Circus-Theater Roncalli, has embraced the zeitgeist and is leading the way, with a contemporary show featuring holograms instead of animals. Kath Hudson reports

Spectral horses cantering in graceful circles, a giant goldfish hovering above the arena and an elephant doing a handstand have replaced dancing dogs and horses at Roncalli Circus.

The circus, founded in 1976 by Bernhard Paul, has invested some £400,000 (US$500,000) in a holographic show, which was inspired by a performance at the 2018 Superbowl.

“Transporting animals on congested highways is an anachronism and not necessary,” says Paul. “Many cities had invited us, but they also had no space for animals. I had the wish to make something new at the circus and when I saw Justin Timberlake performing with a hologram of Prince during the Superbowl, I was so impressed with the technology that I wanted to have a go.

Not only would the idea offer a spectacular new draw for the circus, but it would completely change the way the business operated, doing away with live animals in exchange for holograms.

“Times change and so do opinions – the audience is our boss and when you feel the audience does not approve of something then you have to change it,” says Paul. “As a circus director you have to listen to the audience, but also to your heart and to trust your own gut. I was sure and focused on giving our audience something new.”

Public approval
Since 2016, Paul had been experimenting with other forms of entertainment, using the circus in a more poetic and modern way, using, for example, puppets and costumes for a very convincing polar bear routine.

To bring the holographic dream to fruition, he hired in the expertise of Markus Strobl as Circus Roncalli’s chief digital officer and chief communication officer, to lead on the holographic project. Fifteen 3D software engineers spent two years creating the new show, Storyteller, which was premiered in Cologne, in March 2018, using Optoma laser projectors.

The first circus in the world to use holographic animals, it’s a 360 degree, 3D show which has been received with positivity and excitement. To reflect the fact that it’s now less of a circus and more of a spectacle aligned with theatres, and so it’s been rebranded to Circus-Theater Roncalli.

“After the announcement not to use any animals at our shows we received more than 20,000 emails and letters from all over the world, with 95 per cent positive feedback,” says Paul. “The holographic show went viral on social media and received media coverage in 40 countries. In one year, the show had more than 600,000 visitors.”

Animal free
Wild animals were only briefly used at Circus Roncalli, although horses and dogs played a large part for 30 years. However, Paul says that the show was always more focused on other acts. In a 2018 visitor survey, horses were bottom of the list of attractions, with only 2.7 per cent saying that is what they expected from a Roncalli show. Most popular were the clowns, followed by acrobats, poetic acts, nostalgic and historic circus wagons and live music.

According to Paul, money had nothing to do with the decision to stop using animals, however, it looks to have been a commercial success as well. After a hefty initial investment, the new technology means the circus is far more mobile and has greater flexibility to go to more locations, meaning it tours more widely.

There’s also no longer animal upkeep to consider and the move has been hailed as a PR and social media triumph, which has led to global recognition and a boom in ticket sales.

The show will need to keep evolving to keep audiences interested, and the team will be continuing to look for new ways to use holography. Also continuing investment has to be made to make sure the technology is up to scratch with no glitches: “We’re the pioneers and we still have many ideas,” says Paul. “We want to lead the way outside of the ring. For example, being the first circus to go plastic-free.”

Other applications?
Following this groundbreaking application of hologram technology, it will be interesting to see if the attractions industry will make greater use of the potential it offers. For example, aquariums could use it to recreate the magic of sharks and whales, while museums could use it to bring giant predators or dinosaurs back to life.

Martín Zordan, interim CEO of WAZA says that while it’s not the same as seeing a real animal, VR technologies can offer a new and exciting way to engage audiences: “VR can also enhance the visitor experience by being a new way of engaging visitors with animals and conservation education and offering a more immersive experience,” he explains.

“As technologies evolve, zoos and aquariums can use tech to bring people closer to the animals, as well as to show the audience things they would not normally see, such as behind-the-scenes care which takes place at zoos and aquariums, or a view of the animal’s wild habitat.”