I love a circus, but was sceptical about the one in Battambang. Big dance or song shows are often such tourist traps in Asia and I was sure this was going to be the same kind of thing. There’s not that much to do in Battambang though, so we bought tickets to give it a go.
Despite the tuk-tuks telling you otherwise the location is an easy walk from town, close to the bus station where we had been dropped earlier in the day.
The circus complex is quite large with a nice, festival feel to it. They have a room for exhibits (when we went there was an art display in there), as well as a café selling beers and snacks and a shop with gifts being sold to benefit the organisation.
There’s a practice room which you are able to see in to before the show, and then the big top itself which is not flash as you’d expect the circus to be but a shabby Cambodian-style circus top, which just adds to the atmosphere.
The Phare Ponleu Selpak circus is run by a school offering disadvantaged children the chance to learn skills, either to travel with the circus in the future, join the entertainment industry elsewhere or to take those skills and adapt them to other opportunities.
In the run up to showtime a queue of tourists formed outside the door, waiting to secure the best seats. This was in contrast to the local spectators who dashed in last minute before the show began, not caring where they sat.
The show was F A N T A S T I C. From the very beginning the performers made the audience laugh and cheer. The Cambodian charm came through and it was extremely well run. I was nervous when they started the high acts but it was very, very professional and they are obviously very well trained.
If it wasn’t above budget for us I would have come back for a second show. A great, great way to spend your evening in Battambang.
PRICE | Circus tickets are available from all hostels and are $14 / £10 each for standard entry.
