Vietnamese contemporary circus makes it to Sydney Opera House

Hien Phuoc and Thanh Hoa wowed thousands with an extraordinary performance at the Golden Elephant circus festival in Spain.

‘My Village,’ dramatizing traditional Vietnamese village life, is being performed February 8-17 at the Perth Festival in Australia.

Animal welfare organization calls for total ban, circus federation defends ‘long-standing tradition.’

Their incredible balancing act wins admiration of people from around the world.

For 40 years, Phi Vu has watched the ups and downs of his beloved circus, including a near fatal ‘hi-tech’ blow.

To perform an internationally recognized act, the Giang brothers had to overcome challenges that at times seemed unbearable.

Simon Cowell and the other judges were on their feet as the brothers performed their head-to-head balancing stunt.

The systemic abuse of the children, all aged under eight, occurred between 2014 and 2016, police claim.

Doctors have told him to quit but it seems the show must go on.

Contortionists are grinding from dawn until midnight to prepare tough circus acts for the international arena.

"It's the people, it's the spirit, the dedication, the perseverance of everyone that you'll see here tonight that makes the impossible possible."

They succeeded at the first try in Spain this week, according to media reports.

Elephants are preparing to take their final bow at the Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus, ending a 145-year spectacle that delighted fans and enraged animal activists. For 145 years, elephants have been performing tricks like these at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.But now only 11 remain, and on Sunday they'll take their final bow amid pressure from animal rights groups.......and head to this elephant conservation center, owned and operated by the circus, in Polk City, Florida.They're retiring a little earlier than planned...But Alana Feld, executive vice president of Feld Entertainment, the circus' parent company, says the time is right to say goodbye."There's been such a change in the legislative landscape around the country, and there's also been a mood shift among our consumers as well."But some say the conservation center won't be much better for the elephants.Anthrozoologist John Di Leonardo is a campaigner for PETA, an animal advocacy group."They'll continue to be threatened with bullhooks, possibly Tased with electric prods. The male elephants will be kept in solitary confinement behind bars and the other elephants will be chained up to 16 hours a day."But the circus says, those allegations are simply wrong.It maintains the elephants will be well-treated and have plenty of space, although one thing is clear.While the elephants may be hanging up their costumes on May 1......the debate over their care is far from over.