Circus Herman Renz

Circus Herman Renz is the largest circus in the Netherlands, and has been touring the Netherlands and other countries since 1911.

Arnold van der Vegt decided in the winter of 1911 to start his own circus. The first artist he contracted was his friend Tom Mix. In 1923 Arnold changed the name of the circus to "Renz". During World War II it was difficult for the circus to survive, and because of the circumstances it was forced to give shows for the Nazi Germany. After the war, the circus return to it normal shows. Arnold van der Vegt died in 1955. (Arnold van der Vegt is not related to Ernst Jacob Renz, Berlin 1842 or Renz International).

After the death of Arnold van der Vegt, his son Herman Sr. took over management of the circus. In 1970 he transferred the running of the circus to his sons, Paul and Arnold Jr. (also known as Nol). Paul acted as a clown in the shows and Arnold Jr. became the director.

Arnold Jr. and his wife Marina made the circus successful. For many years they traveled around with success. In 1967 their son Herman Jr. was born. As a child, Herman's ambition was to continue his fathers circus business.

The success of circus Renz reached its peak in 1978. In 1978, Bassie and Adriaan made several television series with Circus Renz as the backdrop. In the weekends, they made their appearance in the circus with clown performances. During this period the shows were regularly sold out.

In 1980 the Dutch TV-producer Joop van den Ende established Circus Bassie & Adriaan. The staff of Circus Renz was involved with the entire transport of Circus Bassie & Adriaan. Circus Renz itself traveled throughout the country. At the end of 1983 Joop van den Ende ended his work with the circus, after he did a show with the Dutch singer André Hazes.

At Circus Renz, the Steijvers family started a new act, followed by the new act of the Luycx-Sisters in 1983. Herman Jr. fell in love with Diana Luycx and they started a relationship.

Arnold Jr. again worked with Bassie and Adriaan in 1985. The cooperation between them was renewed and the circus Renz grew. But, in 1988, Arnold Jr. became very ill. His last wish was to travel once more with Bassie and Adriaan and a complete new circus-tent. The new tent was bought, but in January 1989 Arnold van der Vegt Jr. died of cancer. Because the new tour was already planned, Bassie and Adriaan finished the tour after which, in 1989, the tent was sold.

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