1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Survival Act - Life under the Big Top

12:04

This browser does not support the video element.

April 14, 2018

Circus artists perform daring feats every single day - but earn barely enough to live off. Eight generations of the Scholl family have been circus artists, but now they're struggling to make ends meet.

René Scholl is a circus artist. When he performs in the ring he has to be completely focussed, and on top physical form. But he's dealing with some serious health issues - he was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour and it's affecting his sense of balance. Then there are practical concerns - audiences are dwindling. For René and the circus, the future is uncertain. Survival Act - Life under the Big Top A Report by Catherine Wenk und Matthias Wiesel

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW