Concept

Starting points

• Circus artists and companies need to face present challenges and social expectations.
• Circus must get back and maintain its credibility.
• Quality discrepancies must be screened in order to distinguish between good, average and substandard circus companies.
• Circus stands for values and principles which must be clearly demonstrated by a transparent, operational and credible business approach. It is precisely such transparency that can enhance the credibility of circuses, together with a basis for a reliable policy and corporate image.
• The BTL-project is open for all type of circuses – therefore it could build a common platform for the divided circus industry.

Main and fundamental goals of the Big Top Label

• To recognize and accept differences between high quality- and poorer quality circuses
• To warrant that the circus concerned complies with all legal and social requirements, while providing the audience with a high-value artistic experience.
• To develop a strong partnership with the tourism sector and to set up effective promotion for the assessed and recognized circuses.
• To put circus quality assurance on an official European level.
• To build a common platform for all types of circuses and artists to cooperate, learn from each other and ensure the quality of their art.

Check-list

Prerequisites

Quality of the Framework

Exterior impression (vehicles, box office, entrance, fences etc)

• Point deductions:
• Difficult accessibility / lack of parking opportunities
• Inconsistent appearance
• Deteriorated condition

• Extra points:
• Use of traditional circus elements and exteriors
• Unified appearance
• Clear and easily readable information boards
• Cleanliness

Condition and comfort of seating (individual chairs, benches etc.)

• Point deductions:
• Lack of individual seating – benches instead
  Selling seats at full price that do not provide a proper view of the arena
• Poor quality and cleanliness of seating
• Inadequate seating arrangements for disabled spectators

• Extra points:
• Individual seating
• Proper price/value ratio between seats sold at different prices

Availability and condition of sanitary facilities for audience/personal

• Point deductions:
• No properly separated and equipped sanitary facilities for workers and performers
• Inadequate equipment and cleanliness
• Insufficient number of facilities (in proportion to capacity and audience size)
• Lack of facilities accessible for disabled persons

• Extra points:
• Restrooms equipped with additional features
• Substantially separated male and female restrooms
• Baby-changing/nursing facilities when necessary
• Disabled-accessible restrooms usable without assistance

Outfit, attitude and friendliness of box office, ushers and riggers

• Point deductions:
• Inappropriate attitude, unfriendly behavior from staff
• Inconsistent or worn-out uniforms

• Extra points:
• Proactively communicating staff, possibly in multiple languages
• Uniform appearance aligned with brand identity

Value for money (vs. average price per ticket, adults and children)

• Point deductions:
• Significant discrepancy between the quality of the show and ticket prices
• Excessive differences in the quality of seats sold at different prices
• Base ticket prices excessively high compared to the average income of the country or region
• Lack of group discounts, age-related discounts, or discounts for those in need

• Extra points:
• Diverse discounts, pre-purchase opportunities
• Affordability of tickets for premium seating

Advertising, information & public relations (incl. online ticketing etc.)

• Point deductions:
• Lack of online ticket purchasing options
• No card payment option at the box office, souvenir shop, or buffet
• Lack of a multilingual website (at least basic information in English)
• Complete absence of an open doors policy

• Extra points:
• Informative and trend-following social media presence
• Own Wi-Fi service / login option
• Multilingual (and affordable) booklet
• Open doors policy

Condition of transportation vehicles, stables and paddocks

• Point deductions:
• Restricted access to vehicles/inspection during evaluation
• Poor quality and improperly sized equipment

• Extra points:
• Open doors policy extending to animal care conditions

Quality of the Show

Overall impression of the show (appreciation by the audience)

• Point deductions:
• Significant differences in the quality and/or presentation of individual acts
• Clearly critical audience reactions (e.g., people leaving before the end)

• Extra points:
• Dramaturgical unity
• Conveyance and articulation of a social message
• Value-preserving use of traditional circus elements

Acrobatic acts (e.g. festival winners, special tricks etc.)

• Point deductions:
• Above-average number of mistakes during acrobatic acts
• Complete absence of special/unique acts

• Extra points:
• Inclusion of festival-winning acts
• Unique, special acrobatic performances
• Flawless execution

Clowning and/or comedy

• Point deductions:
• Absence of clown/comedy acts
• Negative audience reactions (e.g., overly aggressive involvement of audience members)
• Poor dramaturgical placement of clown acts within the show

• Extra points:
• Successful inclusion of traditional clown elements
• Diversity, novelty, and active but non-aggressive audience involvement

Set design, design of costumes and props

• Point deductions:
• Worn-out or dirty costumes
• Noticeable differences in the quality of props used for individual acts

• Extra points:
• Visibly well-thought-out and cohesive design
• In-house tailoring workshop and services

Light and sound system and effects

• Point deductions:w
Disruptive lighting that negatively impacts the quality and enjoyment of the show

• Extra points:w
• Use of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient equipmentw
• Use of special lighting effects

(1– very poor; 2 – poor; 3 – acceptable; 4 – appropriate; 5 – exemplary)

Grand total (B + C / 2)
The final score must be over 4 to get the BTL-certification