Phnom Penh streets have a fresh look lately with new posters advertising the Phare Cambodian Circus, which is coming to town for a three-night run. The show, titled Same Same But Different, will be staged at the NABA Theatre in NagaWorld 2 from the 24th to the 26th of this month, with performances running every evening from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. While catching their shows usually means a trip up to Siem Reap, having them here in the capital gives locals a great new option for an evening out.
The one-hour show features no long dialogues, relying entirely on acrobatics, physical comedy, and live music. On stage, the performers recreate everyday scenes that locals will instantly recognize, such as sudden torrential downpours, blackouts that happen without warning, chaotic boat rides, and the little routines of sharing a meal. Through a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor, the cast pokes fun at the usual misunderstandings between foreigners and locals, bridging the gap with plenty of laughter. Local media notes that this kind of modern circus—featuring real talent and zero animals—is still a rare sight in Phnom Penh.
Even better, buying a ticket is about more than just entertainment. Organizers point out that all ticket proceeds will go straight to the Phare Ponleu Selpak arts school in Battambang to support its free education and arts training programs. Rooted in a drawing class started at a refugee camp back in the 1990s, the organization has spent more than thirty years using the arts to lift up disadvantaged youth. For anyone with a free evening this week, grabbing a ticket is not just an hour of fun, but an easy way to lend a hand to young people in Battambang.
