Cruise Planners - On the Road - Socially Conscious Entertainment in Siem Reap - Phare

On our second night in Siem Reap, after a long day touring the Temples of Angkor, we headed out via Tuk Tuk to the Circus.  Circus in Cambodia?  Christian at the Shinta Mani had recommended Phare - as good entertainment perspective with a socially conscious theme.  A school for young Cambodians to learn skills for the entertainment industry with performance profits plowed back into the community to educate and train more young people.

http://www.pharecambodiancircus.org/circus/

How often do you get a chance to be entertained and know you are doing good at the same time? We paid for VIP seating - $35 each - and it was money well spent.

Phare Poster

The circus was in a big top tent and the show itself was a combination of comedy, music, dancing, balancing, aerials, and juggling - with everything including the live music done by Phare performers.  There were 9 performers in the cast - three musicians and six athletes - and they were all pretty much on stage the entire performance.  A high energy production...

The Show's Stage

What came next was a 90 minute, non-stop show with innovative use of "junk" for percussion instruments (car doors and the like) and performers who were alternately actors and performers as they wove a story line around their physical feats.  Make no mistake, these kids are professional performers who exhibited strength, flexibility, and balance throughout their show -- I would put them on par with the best "Cirque" style act I have seen on a cruise ship.  The production might have been a little less elaborate but the actual acts were certainly as good.  If you are in Siem Reap, or perhaps have the opportunity to see Phare when they go on the road (which they do from time to time), go see the show, you will thoroughly enjoy yourself and contribute to continuing this worthy effort.

After returning via Tuk Tuk to the Shinta Mani Club -- and our waiting cold, scented towel and bottled waters, we got a restful night's sleep for our embarkation aboard Ama Waterways Ama Dara the next day.