Watch the Circus Abyssinia: Tulu trailer!
Get a sneak peek at the show.

Circus Abyssinia: Tulu

Bibi and Bichu
from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

December 8 – 16, 2022
Recommended Grades
Grades 2 – 12
Price
Students: $2
Chaperones: $5
What Kind of Show?
Circus; celebratory and awe-inspiring
Running Time
1 hour and 10 minutes with no intermission
Venue
The New Victory Theater 209 W 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

School-time tickets may only be booked by Partner organizations.

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Sensory-Friendly Performances

About the Show

Circus Abyssinia (Ethiopian Dreams, 2018) returns for the holidays, running circles around the competition in a high-spirited spectacle of speed, sport and skill! One for the history books, Tulu honors Ethiopian runner Derartu Tulu’s trailblazing 1992 gold medal win with a nonstop marathon of aerial acts and all the excitement of the Olympic Games. Juggling flags and flames to the sounds of ’70s funk and modern-day Ethio-pop, this tribute to teamwork showcases the incredible athleticism and artistry of Ethiopian circus and the pride that Tulu’s triumph inspired.

★ ★ ★ ★ Sensational entertainment

The Times, London

The sensory-friendly and sign-interpreted (Sign Interpretation symbol) performance of Circus Abyssinia: Tulu  is on December 16, 2022 at 11am.

The show on stage is just one act of your family’s visit! Come early and stay after for free pre- & post-show activities and kid-friendly amenities—part of the New Victory Experience.

Did You Know?

  1. When she crossed the 10,000 meter finish line, Ethiopian distance runner Derartu Tulu became the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal! Since her victory, Ethiopian athletes have won more gold medals in the 10,000 meters than any other nation in the world.
  2. The high-flying acrobatics, mind-bending contortionism and breakneck juggling of 2018’s Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams are all back in Tulu, this time with roller skates, some added pyrotechnics and even more joy!
  3. Bibi and Bichu have dazzled audiences worldwide in shows that span the spectrum of the circus arts, from children’s television to Olivier Award-winning opera. You can even catch them in Tim Burton’s live-action remake of Dumbo as members of the Medici Brothers’ Circus!

About the Company

As teens, brothers Bibi Tesfamariam and Bichu Shimellis spotted a teacher juggling oranges on the school playground. The pair joined in the action and haven’t stopped since! Inspired by their own childhood dreams of joining a circus, the duo has sponsored Circus Wingate, a circus school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, since 2010. There, they discovered the talented Konjowoch Troupe and formed Circus Abyssinia, the first Ethiopian circus made by and for Ethiopian artists.

Creative Team

Producer and Co-Creator
Mehari “Bibi” Tesfamariam

Director and Co-Creator
Binyam “Bichu” Shimellis

Choreographers
Tamerat Ejeta and Binyam “Bichu” Shimellis

Costume Designer
Feven Alem

Lighting Designer
Mark Whatmough

Stage Manager
Gabriella Cooke

Tour Manager
Elshaday Shimels