Contemporary circus
Contemporary circus, or nouveau cirque, is a modern form of circus that blends traditional skills with theatre, dance and ideas. It often focuses on a mood or theme rather than a straight story, and it uses fewer animals. Acts flow into each other and the show feels more like a theatre piece than a traditional circus.
The movement began in the late 1960s and grew through the 1970s and 1980s in places like Australia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom. Early pioneers included Circus Oz, the Pickle Family Circus, Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Plume, Archaos, Ra-Ra Zoo, Nofit State Circus, Cirque Éloize, Cirkus Cirkör, Teatro ZinZanni and Les 7 doigts de la main, among others. Other well-known groups include Circus Smirkus and Le Cirque Invisible.
Cirque du Soleil became the most famous success, drawing millions of spectators worldwide and earning substantial revenue. A landmark moment for the genre is often dated to 1995 with Le Cri du Caméléon from the French circus school CNAC, which showcased non-linear, concept-driven performances.
Today, contemporary circus emphasizes new ways of moving and performing. Shows may be in theatres or outdoor tents and often feature music written for the production. Animal acts are less common than in traditional circus. Transitions between acts may be theatrical scenes or clowning. There is also a social circus tradition that focuses on community training and sharing skills, and an extreme, high-energy form that draws from street culture.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:29 (CET).