7 January 2021

Prestigious Performing Arts Accolade
for Zippos Circus Founder

Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton included in The Stage 100

Martin ‘Zippo’ Burton, Founder and Director of Zippos Circus and Chair of The Association of Circus Proprietors, has been included within The Stage newspaper's prestigious Top 100 as an exceptional voice that made a difference to the future of performing arts in 2020. He joins other influential voices including Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Bill Kenwright.

In the summer, The Association of Circus Proprietors warned that without support, many circuses would go bust. The body, with Burton as Chair, marched on Downing Street with costumed performers from UK circuses, urging the Government to act. It proved one of the sector’s most effective acts of lobbying.

By mid-July 2020 circuses were allowed to open and went on to become big recipients from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Burton commented, "I am delighted that the work of myself and my fellow ACP members has been recognized within the performing arts sector. I have worked tirelessly on behalf of our members to get UK circuses (including my own) back on the road and eligible for receipt of the Culture Recovery Fund. Circuses are often forgotten by the Government and Arts Council and not recognized as an art form, this is no longer the case. We are determined to get all circuses back on the road as soon as we can safely do so in 2021.”

A public nominations process was run to vote for The Stage 100 with the final list created by the magazine’s editorial team.

Martin Burton

Association of Circus Proprietors

In the summer, the Association of Circus Proprietors warned that without support, many circuses would go bust. The body, with Burton as chair, marched on Downing Street with more than 50 costumed performers from top UK circuses, urging the government to act. It proved one of the sector’s most effective acts of lobbying. By mid-July, circuses were allowed to open and went on to become big recipients from the Culture Recovery Fund.