The reason why they aren’t coming to Canberra this time is because it is an arena show this time around (although not sure what is wrong with the AIS). They are doing this with all their older shows, its cheaper and means the don’t have to buy new tents for their new shows

Waiting For Godot said :

I guess that after one of their performers had to put up with a female lodging a claim for alleged “sexual assault”, and the ACT government fined them for a bit of oil which found its way into the lake when they came here last time they just decided to give this place a wide berth as it was not worth the trouble.

Actually, the oil wasn’t in the lake, a small oil patch was found on the carpark surface after Cirque left Canberra. Cirque had to fly in their people – at great expense – from Canada to defend this case, and the sexual assault case in the ACT Supreme Court. Two separate cases, several hearings – it cost them heaps and resulted in bad publicity. I would be very surprised if they ever visit Canberra again.

Moscow Circus found the indoor stadium at Bruce quite acceptable years ago . . .

I saw that too. Presumed it was because it looks like they’re using indoor stadiums, large entertainment centres, and we don’t seem to have venue of such use….

I guess that after one of their performers had to put up with a female lodging a claim for alleged “sexual assault”, and the ACT government fined them for a bit of oil which found its way into the lake when they came here last time they just decided to give this place a wide berth as it was not worth the trouble.