No seats at the circus – despite VIP tickets

11:24am Monday 18th August 2008

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ANGRY parents had to take their daughter home in tears when they were turned away from a circus despite having VIP tickets.

Malcolm and Julie Hancock, of Ferndale Road, Weymouth, said they were among around 100 children and parents left disappointed when Circus Berlin at Lodmoor Country Park filled to capacity.

They had taken their 10-year-old daughter Stacey to the show after being given free VIP tickets for the opening night.

Mr Malcolm said: "Stacey was very excited and looking forward to the circus but obviously too many tickets had been given out for the first evening.

"On arrival there was a large crowd of people and after queuing we were told all the grandstand seats had gone.

"That was OK as we didn't mind where we sat but after another few minutes we were told there were no seats left and there were still approximately 100 very disappointed children and mums and dads in the queue."

Mr Hancock added: "We know our tickets were free but the real point is that a disappointed child was left in tears going home in the car and that was our main concern."

Mr and Mrs Hancock said they were told to book for another show, which they did.

Booking office manager at Circus Berlin Charlotte Barltrop said the VIP tickets were mainly given to shop owners who had displayed circus posters.

She said: "We don't keep any seats back for VIP tickets as we are not sure what the response is going to be.

"Anybody who has telephoned the booking office has been told that we have been extremely busy and to arrive 45 minutes before the start so they are not disappointed.

"The response has been better than we could have ever dreamed although we are sorry that certain people could not get into some of the performances.

"We are honouring any VIP tickets that people have and there are still lots of performances left."