An Appeal from Our Artistic Director
Ten years ago, the profits from our Big Top tours not only kept the show on the road, they also subsidised our community work and paid the bills. Sadly, those days are gone.
A perfect storm of austerity, Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, soaring expenses, standstill funding, and the aftermath of Covid now means we can’t even cover the costs of our Big Top touring. Right now, we genuinely don’t know if we can keep it going.
We are grateful for the regular support we receive from the Arts Council of Wales, but it only accounts for 12% of our turnover, which is far less than most other arts organisations of a similar scale. For years, we’ve bridged the gap with international touring fees and Box Office income, but what used to be a gap has now become a chasm.
Fortunately, our community work and outdoor touring show BAMBOO continue to thrive. These are separately funded and are not under threat. But if we are forced to pack up the Big Top, not only will we lose the heart and soul of the company, but something very unique and special in the sector will disappear, possibly for good.
Touring in the Big Top allows us to pitch up anywhere, from Merthyr, Bangor and Haverfordwest to major international circus festivals across Europe. We are proud to bring world-class work to communities large and small, urban and rural, across Wales and beyond.
That’s why we’re making an extraordinary ask of the Arts Council of Wales: to help us keep bringing our Big Top circus to the people who love it.
But we need your support.
How can you help?
👉 Write a letter to Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales:
📧 [email protected]
(Please copy us in at [email protected] so we can keep track.)
👉 Sign the petition
👉 Share our message on social media | Facebook | Instagram
💌 Your voice can help the Arts Council of Wales understand the value of our work and the impact losing the Big Top would have on audiences, the art form, the sector, and you personally.
If we have to fold up the Big Top permanently, something irreplaceable will be lost. Together, let's stop that from happening.
For press, media and other enquiries regarding this, contact [email protected]
