Prior to attending Friday night’s performance of Cirque du Soleil’s stunning show Dralion, I had the privilege of joining a short media briefing and attending part of Cirque du Soleil’s workshop with the Zip Zap Circus School as well as getting a quick tour backstage.

During the brief conference, Zip Zap co-founder Brent van Rensburg spoke of the organisation’s aims and history and the many amazing initiatives they have undertaken over the more than a decade that they’ve existed. A representative of Cirque du Soleil spoke briefly on Cirque du Soleil’s support of and longstanding relationship with Zip Zap and a representative from corporate benefactor T Systems handed over a generous R40 000 donation to Zip Zap.

Afterwards, we were invited to watch some of the Zip Zap performers train with those from Cirque du Soleil. Accompanying us and answering questions was one of the show’s 4 central/elemental dancers, and those giving the workshop included a hoop artist, juggler  Vladik Myagkostupov (who we were told had been with the circus since it was a bigtop show and who would be leaving  after Dralion’s South African run) and a trampolinist among others.

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I attended this event with Tecla, read her write-up here

Dralion’s currently on in Johannesburg.

Zip Zap Circus School:  Facebook  |  website

Cirque du Soleil :  Facebook  |  website