The marquee set-up

Marqee master Torsten Malmström is sir over masts, anchors und strom bars.

The bricklayer and fitter by profession, commands more than 60 hardworking helpers.
120 hands must grab to build up the gigantic tent within six hours. The dismounting
however goes so fast twice. The "Chapiteau" is stowed within less than three hours.
During one season, Torsten Malmström has to set up the marqee of 5.000 spectators capacity
around 30 times. Putting the masts starts with some days before every guest performance.
Marque master and works inspector are inspecting the place and defining the set-up plan
of the gigantic "rolling town" in detail.
By the work schedule, planned with military precision, nothing remains left to the chance.

Immediately after the arrival of the special  trains and the material  carriages, the technicians start to roll out the gigantic canvas piles for the main marquee

It goes on fast: 
Connecting the tarpaulins, pulling up the giant roof, putting in the round canvas,
storm- and round tower bars are getting fixed and the many hundreds of
iron anchors are wrapped professionally. At the same time, the
stables are built up and every individual carriage is put.

After this the set-up of the Gradins starts (the seat facilities are
called so in technical language). In only 90 minutes, 5.000 seats are assembled
duly and for certain. While the Gradin is assembled, the electriciansare installing
more than 10 km of electric cable and the 140 headlights of the interior lighting.

Now the ring of the Manège is prepared with many hundredweights of sand
and sawdust, too. The ground of the Manège must be light and resilient
so that Animals and Artistes can't get injured.

back to the top