 Circuses want to be licensed annually like theatres |
Circus acts have been demonstrating on the streets of Birmingham against new laws they fear will spell the end of the road for their show. On Wednesday up to 35 performers joined the protest against the government's new licensing act.
Zippos Circus, which has toured the city for 20 years, organised the action saying this year could be its last.
From April 2005 every circus will have to apply for an entertainment licence for each location they visit.
Norman Barratt, ringmaster of Zippos, said: "It's a protest against the new licensing laws which could be the end of any circus.
"It is going to be very difficult, it will cost between �500 to �1,000 per week.
"Theatres are licensed for a whole year but we would have to pay per week, we'd have to apply six weeks before we go to a town plus another two weeks to advertise it.
"There's going to be a lot of people out of work if they don't change it.
"It is the oldest form of live entertainment in Great Britain but we could all be closed."
There are about 30 circuses on tour in the country at any one time and last year a quarter of the population visited one.
The new legislation could also threaten other English traditions such as Punch and Judy shows and Morris dancing.
Charlie Cairoli, a circus clown taking part in the protest, said: "I don't think people realise that the circuses are under threat.
"When they realise there isn't going to be one that's when they say 'oh but we always take the kids, we went to the circus when we were kids or our parents took us'."
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There's going to be a lot of people out of work if they don't change it 
