Escaping The Tigers: A Circus Story

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BBC Radio Wales - Escaping The Tigers: A Circus Story

Rescued from a dark past, two lost circus children create the performance of their lives.

Nepalese circus performers Renu and Aman have overcome their traumatic childhoods and now perform internationally; telling a story of child trafficking and triumph over tragedy.

Not all slavery stories are history; child trafficking is a global problem.

Up until 2011, Indian traditional circus had very a dark secret: they were using hundreds of Nepalese child performers who had been trafficked across the border to India into a life of exploitation, abuse and painted smiles. 

Renu Ghalan and Aman Tamang were taken to India when they were very young and held as slaves in the circus.

They were freed and returned home as part of rescue operations in the early 2000s and went on to perform with Circus Kathmandu – the first-ever circus troupe in Nepal, made up of freed circus slaves. 

It was there that they met Welsh producer and founder member of Cardiff’s NoFit State Circus Ali Williams and director Sverre Waage from Norway’s Cirkus Xanti. Together they came up with a plan to tell Renu and Aman’s story using the very circus skills they'd learned in captivity.

Circus theatre show ‘As A Tiger In The Jungle’ was born and has turned them both into international performers.

This is a tale of poverty, kidnapping and fear; of incredible physical feats and lost friends but also of incredible bravery and the ability to turn real hardship into a moving, powerful and awe-inspiring circus theatre show.

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