Last Show in Town

The Segovia Brothers circus, a century old traveling circus from Guatemala, had just began their residency in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on March 10 when news of COVID-19 approach towards the country seemed imminent. Four days into their time in Tegucigalpa, Honduras was placed on lockdown, suspended all non-essential activities and shut traffic and borders completely. The circus was stranded and without the ability to earn a living.

Enter Alejandro Segovia, owner and ringleader. Quick to think, he came up with the idea of setting up a corner for busking that the clowns, dancers, magicians, stunt drivers and singers could stand and earn money to pay for food while they found their way home. Four months later and an endless cavalcade of issues, complications and adversities triggered by COVID-19, the circus was able to decamp and go back home.

The story follows the last days before heading home to Guatemala and, more specifically, the family of Lilian Segura. Lilian is Alejandro’s niece and, as with her uncle, has lived her whole life in the circus. Her mother, Telma, and son, Gabo, are also performers and know nothing but the circus life. When asked what was at stake if the circus were irrevocably banished by COVID-19, Lilian cried and said: “The circus is part of what makes us human. We have been telling stories through performance since prehistoric era. To know the circus is to know humanity.”