* A production is considered international here if its presenting company is based primarily outside of the UK.
60 productions
36 UK productions – 60%
24 international productions – 40%
54 artistic groups
32 UK groups – 59%
22 international groups – 41%
89% of artistic groups presented only one production in the UK during 2012
Number of groups presenting one / two productions during 2012
* The six groups working double-time were: Circa, NoFit State Circus, Cirkus Cirkör, Ockham's Razor, Gandini Juggling, and Tumble Circus.
* Since Sideshow doesn't record whether or not there are multiple performances of a single show in a day (i.e. a matinee and an evening show), 399 performances is a little lower than the actual figure. If you add in matinees then the number is probably about 425.
Not counted: outdoor performances; student shows.
399 performances
241 performances by UK groups– 60%
158 performances by international groups – 40%
In nearly half of all cases venues programmed a circus production for only one performance
Number of performances per venue booking
A quarter of productions were performed only once in the UK during 2012
Number of performances per production
47% of all contemporary circus performances took place within London
Number of performances taking place in London
104 out of 241 performances by UK groups – 43%
83 out of 158 performances by international groups – 53%
187 out of 399 performances total – 47%
* The 76 venues include 4 cathedrals and 1 museum.
76 venues
76% of all venues programming contemporary circus in 2012 programmed only one production
Number of contemporary circus productions hosted in 2012
1 production
58 venues – 76%
2 productions
10 venues – 13%
3 productions
4 venues – 5%
4 productions
1 venue – 1.25%
5 productions
1 venue – 1.25%
7 productions
1 venue – 1.25%
12 productions
1 venue – 1.25%
All the above is based on Sideshow's 2012 event listings (arranged by month below), which while reasonably thorough still sleep each night softly enfolded in a thick, luxuriant margin of error. Take the above as an outline rather than a detailed image with full zoom controls.
Plus: if you like you can download the raw data here, for analysis in your stats lab.