Each year, Redwood City has a one-of-a-kind performance from the Zoppé Circus, a family-run tradition that dates back to the 1800s. Led by Giovani Zoppé, also known as “Nino the Clown”, the circus brings together acrobatics, aerial acts, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and an old-world charm that has captivated audiences for generations.
Behind the scenes, Zoppé works tirelessly to manage the circus, handling everything from booking venues to publicity, all while resting in their trailer behind the circus tent in between shows.
“It started with a French clown and a Hungarian equestrian-ballerina meeting on the streets of Budapest, Hungary,” Zoppé said.
The two lovers ran away to Venice, Italy, where they began the Zoppé circus. After over 175 years, Zoppé, a sixth-generation circus performer, carries on the legacy of his great-great-grandparents, aiming to keep the love for the circus alive through his performances.
“When I took over, there were three dreams I had,” Zoppé said. “One was to get it the way it is today and to be like it was in the 1800s. Another was to go back to Italy with the show, which we had already done.”
After over a century of performances in Europe, Zoppé’s father, Alberto Zoppé, was the one to bring the family circus to the U.S. While traveling Europe, Zoppé forged a friendship with actor and director Orson Welles. Through this connection, Zoppé moved to the U.S. to star in Cecil B. Demille’s Oscar-winning film, The Greatest Show on Earth, and bring the circus to America. His son has since continued the tradition and has many aspirations for the group.
“Put everything on a horse and wagon and travel like that, which we haven’t done yet,” Zoppé said.
Zoppé’s connection with the audience is clear through his central story of Nino the clown, as opposed to individual acts. Zoppé takes pride in the emotional impact his performances have on people through their audience participation.
“Well, in the short story, the other day I took a boy in the ring with me to do a certain routine,” Zoppé said. “When I returned him to his seat, I saw his father had tears in his eyes. That’s a look you can’t beat.”
Teenagers, in particular, often come to the circus reluctantly, dragged by their parents, but Zoppé has witnessed the atmosphere of the circus that pulls them in.
“There are always the high schoolers when they come in, they’re kinda looking down or trying to look at their phone,” Zoppé said. “Their parents dragged them to the show, but after the first 15-20 minutes, they start picking up their heads, and by that time, they’re clapping.”
The Zoppé Circus isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about showcasing talent and hard work. The circus hosts performers from around the world, like the Ethiopian acrobatic troupe, to deliver world-class performances.
“Ethiopians are pretty incredible, a six-person acrobatic troupe from Ethiopia is phenomenal,” Zoppé said. “The horse act this year is the best act in the country, or the best act so far, as far as I’m concerned, in the world. I don’t know anyone else better than him.”
Bringing the circus to cities around the country is no simple task, with each location presenting its own set of challenges. From setting up the show to navigating permit issues, dedication is key to making it all work.
“Challenges are trying to keep the show on the road, getting it down the road, getting it town to town, setting up, taking it down,” Zoppé said. “Then there are permit issues, different permits in every town, not only for the show but also for trucks, trailers, for animals, and all kinds of different things.”
Though the Zoppé Circus travels widely, it also extends beyond the U.S.
“Yes, we do perform in Europe, but not with the show anymore,” Zoppé said. “I perform by myself. I performed in Milan. Last year, I performed in Venice, in the theater [as] a one-man show around northern Italy.”
Looking to the future, Zoppé continues to share the joy and legacy of the circus, hoping that people will take more than just entertainment away from their experience. The Zoppé Circus has since left Redwood City for its next act.
“We open in Colorado in July, and we close in Texas in July,” Zoppé said.
