This holiday season, Big Apple Circus presents Circus Roncalli under its big top in NYC with unmistakably charming European circus arts, plus a touch of romance and nostalgia from across the Atlantic. Founded by Bernhard Paul in 1976, Circus Roncalli makes its US debut the Big Apple Circus tent in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, with performances through January 15, 2024. Their show, Journey to The Rainbow, has scenic design by Patrick Philadelphia*, who also directed. Live Design chats with Philadelphia about the design.
Related story: Lighting In One Ring: Circus Roncalli Lights Up New York City
Live Design: What is the design aesthetic/theme of the show?
Patrick Philadelphia: The stage sets in the Circus Theater Roncalli have always been created by Bernhard Paul since it was founded in 1976. The idea of making a circus that looks like it did in the old days has always been a great ambition for Bernhard Paul. A tradition in the circus is that the musicians of the circus orchestra always sit and play above the entrance portal of the artists. Therefore, Bernhard Paul has constructed an orchestra portal which reflects the nostalgia, poetry and design of the Circus Theater Roncalli.
LD: How does the scenery support that tradition and help tell the story?
PP: The look has been optimized and adapted to the shows in recent years. The stage design in New York is also the first stage design that was used at the beginning of Circus Roncalli in the 80s! It was adapted in size for New York and completely new curtains were made for it. The individual elements of the stage, such as the nostalgic Madonnas or the fairy-like lighting, support the nostalgic look that is so common at Roncalli.
LD: How do you collaborate with the other designers?
PP: A Roncalli show is always an overall concept and therefore the stage design is coordinated with the name of the show and the artist cast. Shows that have the theme of Italy or France, for example, are then also adapted in the stage design, such as an Eiffel Tower as an artist entrance. The complete design is created in the workshops of the Circus Theater Roncalli in Cologne under the direction of Dimitri Filbert. He works closely with Circus Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul and coordinates the Roncalli design with me!
LD: What are the challenges for designing for a show in a touring tent with acrobats, etc?
PP: The challenge of creating a show in a circus tent is always associated with huge pressure. You always have to imagine it like this: at Circus Theater Roncalli, the stage and the interior are the picture frame, and we place the artists in this picture frame. It takes time and the audience's reactions until everything fits perfectly, such as the artists' costumes, the music, the lighting, and the staging of the artistic performance!
* Patrick Philadelphia, CEO & Show Director graduated from school and later specialized in circus technique and show design. His ties to Circus Roncalli reach back to the 1980s when his father, Karlheinz, worked there as a horse trainer. Since 1996, Patrick has been working as an operations manager and stage director. Together with Bernhard Paul, he took on responsibilities in several projects beyond Roncalli's tour business, including Christmas circuses, gala events, variety shows, and more. Patrick became a member of Roncalli's management board in 2016 and was appointed CEO of the Roncalli Company Group in 2023.