Paulo AND Mayka

The papa and mama of the circus. They weld the entrance, write this booklet, sew the curtains and mind their grandson Dorus. She was once a puppeteer and he a carpenter of wooden furniture, skills that come in handy when running a circus. Later on they became street artists, the sort of whom bookers said ‘put them anywhere: they’ll thrive’. And that’s how it goes. It is a duo that fits together and has a lot of stories to show it. They know that one way or another there will always be a new chance and new possibilities.

jans AND Rik

Jans is the diligent and hard-working daughter of Paulo and Mayka. Jans is gradually taking over the artistic side of the circus. For one, she writes the shows’ structures and storylines and also sets up the most wonderful acts. Rik once was an intern at Zanzara as the lighting and sound engineer and then he never left. Rik reinforces the organizational side of the circus and helps Paulo with welding and repairing. Additionally, he is a good talker and very social. All in all, he is the perfect son-in-law. Jans and Rik are happily married and inseparable. Both in the circus tent and outside of it!

Dorus

The smallest artist of the circus, Dorus does not have a specific role yet, but he is not afraid of anything. He steals the show with his diabolo tricks. He also steals the hearts of the audience and always has a lot of fun!

martijn

Martijn Burgers is the adopted child of the family. He has been around since he was ten years old. In the tent he is the guy who handles all the ‘stuff’. Martijn knows exactly what is needed in the show, when and where. That is very handy, because nobody else does and nobody is as structured. And then there is his artistic contribution. The daily training makes him stronger and his posture is getting better everyday. A super under-man!

Steve AND fiora

It has already been three years since they started dating; the acrobat and the accordionist. In the summer they tour through Europe and call at a Schengenland occasionally. In the springtime and fall they are in Africa, where they have a youth choir, the Perzi Choir; Perzi means ‘love’ in Swahili. Fiora arranges a lot of music herself and half a word is enough for her and Jans to make a wondrous act.

Arno

Arno Bakker is the musical conscience of the circus. His deepest wish would be to have an orchestra with the musical quality of Louis Armstrong. He himself can blow the tooter out of this world, so that kinda makes sense. Besides, he was discovered at Zanzara as a new star on television and has performed in the marvelous youth series Taart, so obviously he now has the star-like airs that match his stature. He and Paulo made an act, short but sweet and liable to alteration, which is OK, because apart from his size, Arno fits perfectly into the chuck wagon.

Adrian

It is almost impossible to imagine Zanzara without Adrian. This is how it usually goes: a theme is being thought up, followed by an entourage, and then Jans will write a storyline in consultation with the others. Acts are written in or made especially for the show. Finally, the backbone of the group will go to Amsterdam and build the décors and all of the other things. And then there will be Adrian. He looks and he rearranges. With patience and knowhow (an opera director) he molds everything and everyone until we are all completely satisfied. Which takes a while, we have to tell you.

Tommy

Tommie Freke writes the arrangements, organizes the music and has been working together forever with Arno. The two of them form a sort of comical duo that splendidly squabbles. Tommy is a theatrical musician and works together with theatre groups such as Unieke Zaken and Dogtroep as well as the Gallowstreet Brass Band. At home he has two sweet girls called Marie and Febe.

Wouter

Wouter is a phenomenal brass player. He is in the middle of an eventful period as well: he has moved and another son was born, which brings the total amount of kids to five. Moving with Wouter goes on a schedule that makes you wonder: this can only go wrong, it is so detailed! But no, it all goes according to planning and meanwhile the atmosphere is great as well. Little by little we come to understand how he manages his life, but we have to give credit to Rosa as the amazing woman he has by his side! Not to mention their charming children.

Workshops

We conduct workshops for various ages and audiences. For instance schools, businesses and organizations. Possibilities include:

• General circus skills, including balancing on a ball, basic acrobatic, juggling and clowning.

• Circus for the little ones. A workshop wherein the toddlers themselves play the roles of circus horses, acrobats and tightrope walkers.

• Acrobatics: a workshop that focuses on acrobatics and cooperation.

• Trapeze and tissue: for those who want to go one step further!