Monday, January 14, 2013

Gemini Circus, Chennai - Not worth it !

"Let us go to Gemini Circus, today". When I said this, my daughter got very excited. I took my family to Gemini Circus in Chennai, today. We were hoping to have a stellar experience. However, I was totally disappointed by the end of the show. In fact, after an hour into the show, my daughter asked "Dad ! When are we going back home?".

(Also read: Drive through McDonalds in Velachery)

Here is the list of things that I liked about Gemini Circus:

  • The tickets for the show was available at various price ranges - Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.150, and Rs.250 (affordable for everyone).
  • Uniformed men were selling snacks throughout the show - popcorn, biscuits, chocolates, cool drinks, cotton candy etc., 
  • The gymnastic performance was very good. I was quite impressed by circus crew's potential.
  • Time management was perfect - the show began and ended on time (kudos to the folks who did the back stage management)
  • The background music was great
  • Car parking rate was just Rs.40


Here is the list of things that I hated about Gemini Circus:

  • The floor was uneven and filled with rubble and debris
  • They had plastic chairs for everyone, which were put on top of the rubbles (Imagine, how stable the chair would be)
  • There was no proper ventilation. There were a few pedestal fans. However, it was not adequate for 2000+ people
  • Nothing has changed in the last 20+ years. In fact, it has gone for the worse. I remember the days when we used to have wooden railings for people to sit. It was very convenient. I hated those plastic chairs.
  • There was no proper parking space - we have to park the cars over the debris
  • Crowd management was poor - after the show, it took about an hour for us to come out of the venue
  • No lion/tigers/elephants/monkeys were involved during the show (Though I was happy that animals were not disturbed, my daughter was very disappointed :))
  • No online booking (you've to stand in the line to get tickets). They do have a website.
  • No proper signage near the venue. We had to stop in between several times to find the place.

"Will I go to Gemini Circus again in Chennai"? The answer is a STRONG NO. I would rather watch recorded circus programs in my TV.

2 comments:

  1. Surprised to hear that Gemini Circus still exists. May be they are catering mostly to the crowd that doesn't come in a car and is in no hurry to go home after the show ?

    Despite your experience, your daughter should be able to tell her friends what really a circus show is.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, I agree. My daughter now knows what a circus show is :)

    ReplyDelete

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