Circuses usually do well out of economic crises. In bad times many people opt to go to circus with its cheap tickets rather than visit expensive attractions like theme parks. So why weren't there long queues in front of the Magic Circus' box office last weekend?

Perhaps it was the warm weather in the Netherlands. Every Easter, the Magic Circus descends on the multicultural Baarsjes district in Amsterdam. But the queues were not as long as they usually are. And traditionally, Easter is a hit. In fact, it is the barometre for the rest of the circus season.

 "Good weather is worse for circuses than an economic crisis," says Arie Oudenes, managing director of the European Circus Association:

"People do not want to sit in a hot tent when they could be enjoying the sun on a street café. Recessions are actually good for business: people often opt for the cheaper amusement of the circus rather than expensive theme parks or musicals."

Nevertheless, the circus is still one of the best loved traditions. And that is partly down to passion for the job. Magic Circus Clown Kladza: "You do it for the applause and the compliments after the show.