Talking to Betelhem Dejene as Circus Abyssinia returns with London premiere celebrating Ethiopian Olympic icon “Tulu”

Following their acclaimed production of Ethiopian Dreams, Circus Abyssinia returns with the exhilarating London premiere of their second production Tulu. Celebrating the true tale of an Ethiopian Olympic icon, Derartu Tulu, an unmissable showcase of superhuman strength. A blend of breath-taking contortion, awe-inspiring acrobatics, and mesmerising fire-juggling with a rocking, exuberant soundtrack. The first circus company created by and for Ethiopian artists, Circus Abyssinia made their UK debut at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe and featured on the Royal Variety Performance in the same year. After touring internationally, including a sell-out run in Singapore, they are thrilled to return to London with their greatly anticipated.

Betelhem Dejene (Betty) has toured the world with Circus Abyssinia since its 2017 debut. In Tulu, she performs acts of speed and flight that capture the thrills of Derartu Tulu’s race to victory. Her participation in the show’s finale makes her the first Ethiopian woman to perform on the hair-raising ‘Russian Swing’. ALT caught up with Betty to talk!!

ALT:
Can you tell us what it is like being part of circus Abyssinia?

Betty:
Being a member of Circus Abyssinia I don’t see it as work, it’s a family place. It’s being a part of a big family, being that we have grown up together and seeing how we progress as the circus. Seeing how much we progress as a family and that’s why I really enjoy being in the company.

ALT:
When you were growing up, was this what you always thought you were going to do? Or how did you find this as a job?

Betty:
It was a coincidence because I wasn’t planning to join the circus. I was on the way to register for a class and bumped into one of the trainers of the Circus Wingate on the road and then, he explained to her family what circus is and that’s how I joined the circus.

ALT:
What is the name of the job you do?

Betty:
I participate in three different acts one of them is handing working, the second one is roller-skating act and the third one is a swing act, Russian swing act.

ALT:
You are the first Ethiopian woman to do the Russian swing. Can you tell us what it is and what does it feel like to have that accolade?

Betty:
I am very happy to be the first Ethiopian artist to be able to do the swing. I enjoy it comes with the danger the safety as well, but is just being able to fly, fly, as much as I can go. I really enjoy flying around and being the first Ethiopian, artist is a big honour.

ALT:
Do you feel nervous before each performance?

Betty:
Yeah, of course I am nervous before I goes on stage, but I have got more, experience now. It’s not like you used to be, working around the world has given me more experience and more confidence.

ALT:
What kind of training do you have to put in, is it something you do every day like being an athlete perhaps?

Betty:
Yes, I practice every day. I do a lot of physical stuff. like upper body training. But it all depends on the act I am participating in wasn’t allowed to do physical stuff before. Because I had to look after my back and stuff. But now because of the new act my body has to adapt and change my attitude, to how I approach the act, the physical acts require, different, physical, uh, exercise to be able to be perform.

ALT:
What was Ethiopia like during the pandemic, working or trying to work?

Betty:
Of course it is not just us (Ethiopian being affected it’s around the world. It disrupted a lot, especially being in the middle of a tour. For the last six years we have been on tour constantly, just being able to stop and your body as well, we weren’t allowed to train, so your body has to rest and then to trying to get back, it was a big challenge. But it has worked so we are slowly getting back to normality now. By the way, we just got our visa today we, everyone is very happy,

ALT:
What can we expect from the Circus Abyssinia’s performance at the Underbelly festival?

Betty:
It’s probably different than the previous work we’ve done, Ethiopian Dreams. This show represents more of our pride in Ethiopia especially representing our country and being able to tell Derartu Tulu’s story to the world. To tell how much of an icon she is back in Ethiopia, and we would love the Underbelly and UK audiences to understand how much we adore this woman and how much we appreciate, what she’s done for us as Ethiopians.

ALT:
What do you like most about doing the job that you do?

Betty:
One of the most important things is the way that we have a family relationship. And even though it’s work, we don’t see it as work because we’ve been able to travel and meet new people and see new places. It is also a bonus as well, being able to perform and, having this experience at this young age.

ALT:
What is the coolest place to hang out in Ethiopia?

Betty:
Not to hang out, but just to go visit in Ethiopia is a place called Lalibela it is the oldest church in Ethiopia, and it is in the North. It’s been crafted on just one big stone. Yes, I will recommend that.

Cast: Hanna Tina, Betelhem Dejene, Etsegenet Ashenafi, Semeret Getachew, Bezawit Ashagre, Bibi Tesfamariam, Bichu Shimellis, Ezera Nigusse, Alemayehu Mulugeta, Befekadu Esmael, Daniel Gezahegn, Behaylu Tesfaye, Dagmawi Fekeru, Cherenet Dereje, Zenebe Fantu

Underbelly Festival :