COVID-19 Impact on Phare Circus
Phare Circus performances were suspended 17 March by government decree due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. All international arrivals to Cambodia ceased shortly after. Tourism has evaporated. Hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues have closed, some permanently, and jobs lost.
At a time when so many in the community have lost their jobs, Phare Circus continues to provide employment and income for 100 staff and artists.
When will performances resume at Phare Circus?
That’s a difficult question to answer at the moment. The circus depends on visitors from overseas. Although there are some positive developments, there are still travel restrictions in place that prevent overseas travelers from coming to Cambodia. We hope those will be lifted soon and airlines can resume flights to Cambodia. That’s when Phare Circus can resume performances. We’ll be ready!
Phare Circus Reimagined
While performances are suspended due to the pandemic, every team member is re-imagining guest experience. Everything we do is being looked at for ways to improve. The website and online booking are being enhanced. The welcoming process at the venue is being redesigned to be fast and efficient while keeping it safe. Health and safety procedures are being added throughout the venue. On-site staff are going through comprehensive training programs to better serve guests. Artists are practicing new techniques to add to performances. With an eye on the future, the whole Phare Circus experience is being reimagined for our valued audiences.
I stand on my head to remind myself we must constantly look at things in a different way.
-inspired by “Dead Poets’ Society”
SAFETY FIRST:
Health and safety are the top priority. In an earlier blog post, we shared the health and safety precautions already started at the beginning of the pandemic. The team has come up with a few additional measures for when performances resume.
- The seating area in the big top is thoroughly cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectant before every performance.
- The rest rooms are cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectant before opening and hourly during the operation.
- Surfaces around the venue that guests are likely to touch are cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectant before opening.
- Staff and guest temperature is taken upon arrival
- Staff wearing masks
- Hand sanitizer dispensers are placed throughout the venue.
- “Distancing”
- on arrival by marked spaces during queuing
- in the big top with alternating empty rows and cushions spaced farther apart.
- upon departure by regulating exit by rows
- Interaction with the artists after the show is discontinued , however photo opportunities are being finalized.
CREATIVITY
Artists returned home to Battambang when shows were temporarily suspended, but they sure are keeping busy!
Daily workouts together help them stay healthy and fit. Practicing some new and improved circus techniques helps them make the shows even better. They’ve even produced some COVID awareness and fundraising videos for the school.
CLICK HERE to read about more creative activities by Phare artists during confinement.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Human Resources is busy organizing programs that build staff capacity. The technical team held workshops on stage management. Customer Service and Phare Boutique conducted product training classes with role plays to enhance guest experience.
BEAUTIFICATION
Jaya House Hotels donated 50 trees to bring more shade and beauty to the area around Phare Circus. Phare Technical, Maintenance and Gardening team has been taking turn to clean and maintain public areas. Costume designers are working from home making new costumes.
EFFICIENCY
We’re becoming more efficient. Accounting is making payments simpler. Sales is making reservations easier. We’re meeting by video conference to safely distance while staying productive.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Support the Circus Invite a Family
$10.00 – $1,000.00
Your contribution will provide show tickets to local families, putting smiles on faces of Cambodians facing challenging times. Keep the artists working while Phare navigates post-pandemic recovery. Support free education at Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school.
Support the circus - Invite a family
Your contribution will provide show tickets to local families, putting smiles on faces of Cambodians facing challenging times. Keep the artists working while Phare navigates post-pandemic recovery. Support free education at Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school.
Since 2013, Phare Circus has been Siem Reap's top-rated entertainment. The artists performed nightly in a circus big top filled to capacity. This came to a screeching halt in March 2020. The COVID pandemic closed borders and tourism evaporated. Entertainment venues were ordered closed for health and safety. The artists weren't able to perform since 17 March 2020. The circus had no income.
Phare Circus resumed weekend performances to put the artists back to work, boost morale, support the community and revive hope for brighter days. Domestic demand is not strong enough to support the costs, so this fundraising campaign was launched to make up the difference. This campaign was absolutely essential to keep the weekend performances going until international tourism returned.
Cambodia re-opened to visitors in November 2021 and direct international arriving flights in December. The tourism recovery is under way, but there is a long, difficult road ahead. "Invite a Family" is still important to keep the circus open until tourism is fully back to normal.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
