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How to Spend 3 Days in Siem Reap

How to Spend 3 Days in Siem Reap

15 Tours & Activities

Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap

Badge of ExcellenceSiem Reap, Cambodia

From $28.00

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Up to 24 hours in advance.
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  • 1 hour (approx.)

Overview

Be mesmerized by the captivating choreography and hypnotic color of a Phare performance in Siem Reap. Feast your senses on a spectacle that blends riveting theater with folk music and distinctly Cambodian stories. Commend the determination of the young circus artists, many of who are from challenging social and economic backgrounds, as they hypnotize the audience with their energy and emotion. Gain insight into the charity Phare Ponleu Selpak and discover the work the organization does to help vulnerable children and adults in Cambodian society.
  • See circus arts that use dance, music, and movement to tell Cambodian folk tales and modern stories
  • Be wowed by the talents of this young theatre troupe
  • Discover the great work of Phare Ponleu Selpak in changing young lives through education, social support, and art
  • Select open seating or upgrade for preferred seating including a beverage and gift

What's Included

  • Siem Reap's most original, authentic live performance.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Snacks

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

08:00 PM

What To Expect

Make your own way to the impressive theatre in the historical heart in Siem Reap and take your seat in the position selected at the time of booking. Hear an expectant hush descend over the audience as the curtains part to reveal a talented troupe of acrobats and dancers of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS); marvel at the sleek agility of the performers, all of who derive from unimaginably difficult situations, and feel the melodic pulsations of the music as the show launches into life.

PPS—founded by eight young Cambodians who were once refugees—was created to preserve the culture and art of the Khmer people. The program serves to help reintegrate these children into society through theater and circus arts and provides social and educational programs.

Watch a spectacle unravel before your eyes and enjoy a compelling combination of acrobatics, juggling, aerial arts, contortion, and dance. 

Watch six different acts—Sokrias (Eclipse), Khmer Metal, Sokha, Preu (Chills), Putho, and Same Same but Different—for a greater understanding of Cambodian culture, history, and beliefs.

Opt to sit in standard seats or select an upgrade to enjoy a prime position in the front center rows. You also receive a complimentary beverage and gift if the upgrade is selected.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus

Experience Cambodia's most unique, authentic live entertainment by the graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. Phare is more than a conventional acrobatic circus. Performers use theater, live music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The artists create the stories themselves based on the real-life experiences of themselves and their families. Expect the unexpected.

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Seating begins at 20 minutes prior to scheduled showtime. Last entry is 5 minutes past showtime
  • Tickets are non-refundable. Ticket office may be able to accommodate rescheduling if requested at least 24 hours prior to booked showtime
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers who require wheelchairs are to inform us in advance for prior arrangements.
  • Most travelers can participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

The Phare Cambodian Circus should be a must on the itinerary.
It's a lovely evening out and it's also supports many underprivileged schools and individuals
Reviews
5.0
1,051 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,051 reviews
A showcase of young talent
Deborah_S, Jan 2023
An excellent show put on by local students with proceeds benefiting the students. The talent and skill demonstrated along with a great story and music made for an entertaining hour. Well worth the entrance fee.
A good combo of fun, funny and impressive acrobatics
Mohd_J, Jan 2023
It was fun and the performers were funnily enough with their acts combines with impressive showmanships. Certainly, a must do activity in Siem Reap.
Excellent show - very...
Julian_S, Jan 2023
Excellent show - very entertaining. Shows the character of the Khmer people to love forward and define themselves through art- live performance and music.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Julian_S , thank you for sharing your impressions of Phare Circus. The artists will be delighted to hear your compliments on their performance. There is definitely a resurgence of traditional and modern arts in Cambodia, and both Phare Circus and Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school are active parts of it. Thanks for including us in your Siem Reap visit.
Circus
Korina_J, Jan 2023
Very well presented - the performers were excellent and very funny and the music was fantastic. Highly recommend for families
Such a fun show
Julie_T, Jan 2023
Such a fun show! We got there a little earlier than I would if going again, but food was good. I would recommend getting the reserved seating so you don’t need to race and stand in line to have good seats!
A must see
Yasmine_Y, Jan 2023
An absolute must see. The troupe is incredibly talented, they had everyone laughing, gasping in awe and cheering all night. The fact that proceeds go towards providing poor Cambodian youths with an education is icing on the cake. A thorough delight.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Yasmin, Thank you for the review and rating. As you mention, guests enjoy a great show with the added benefit of knowing they're helping sustain good jobs in the arts and funding Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school. Your appreciation will be passed along to the performers.
We arrived 1/2 an hour...
Paul_D, Jan 2023
We arrived 1/2 an hour early and purchased a drink. We watched some of the great traditional puppettry show. The shop also sold excellent handicrafts. The show was a mini Cirque du Soleil . Very well done, humorous and easy to follow. A couple of mistakes made but that added character. We booked tickets for B row, a small area. Warning that the seats are wooden planks on scaffolding with a thin cushion and no backs. Bring a extra cushion if needed and or book the very back of C section, so you have something to lean on. Well worth it.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Paul_D, Thank you for sharing your Phare Circus experience. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the evening experience, from the pre-show food, drink, shopping and pre-show entertainment through the main event. You provide a good tip for guests. The seats in the iconic red big top are cushioned bench seats. There are no backs on the seats, but if you purchase Section C, try to sit in the top row where you can lean against the railings. Thanks again for including Phare Circus in your Siem Reap visit.
Fun, Humourous, and Aerobatic Display - A Must See.
ChunLiang_S, Dec 2022
It is a very action-packed 1 hour show. There are fun, humour and of course aerobatic displays. Definitely a must see if you are visiting Siem Reap. Kudos to the acrobats, the chorographer and musical team.
Great performance
Caryl_O, Dec 2022
Wonderful performance and the performers are very talented and enjoy what they do. This is the 5th show I have been to and enjoyed it as much as the first time.
A must-see for all visitors to Siem Reap
Samantha_J, Dec 2022
The Phare circus is a wonderful enterprise, helping to give young talented artists opportunities for employment and to help them find career paths previously unavailable due to circumstances. The show is funny, thrilling and entertaining (despite the story line being a little mystifying).
Quality athletism with distinctive cambodian live music and humour
ROBERT_B, Dec 2022
Really enjoyable experience. Good athleticism throughout supported by continuous and distinctive cambodian live music with cambodian humour to produce a good show. Only one hour long which flew by so quick.
Lots of fun
Nicholas_W, Dec 2022
Really fun evening with music, acrobatics and interaction with the cast and crew. Good food available on site too
Excellent performance by...
Surekha_G, Dec 2022
Excellent performance by a group of extremely talented and creative young people. Amazing acrobatics, we thoroughly enjoyed it!
The energy in the show...
charlene_s, Nov 2022
The energy in the show was so much fun and the hard work of the performers was incredible. The reason for this company being is definitely worth the price of a ticket!!
Worth seeing if in Siem Reap for a few nights.
Sandeep_S, Oct 2022
Great show, only wish we could see more. This was a great thing to do for a solo traveller wanting something to do one evening.
Definitely a must see show
Lana_B, Oct 2022
Although the show is described as circus, in its true nature it’s a beautiful folk story full of acrobatic acts accompanied by Cambodian music. The fact that it also contributes to art education of over 1000 students is admirable. Definitely a must see!
Outstanding Cambodian Circus Arts.
Christopher_C, Oct 2022
What an amazing time! The storyline of the show was very clever and often hilarious. Circus content was first class. The artists took time to meet with the crowd after the show. Definite recommend.
Cambodia’s Super Amazing Treasures
Shirish_C, Aug 2022
This One Hour of super awesome performances of the cast , left us with total admiration and wonder !!! The super tough acrobatic stunts were performed smoothly and flawlessly by each troop member. The story line was perfect and the content of this performance drove a very strong message to the audience. We watched -“The Eclipse “ and we were totally hooked on from the start of the program to the end. Kudos to the creators and developers of this fantastic show!! We will definitely come back to watch this show and we highly recommend this unique circus to everyone who visits Cambodia.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hi Shirish_C, thank you for sharing your Phare Circus experience. "Eclipse" is an interesting expression of Cambodian superstitions, mysticism and a community coming together. The artists will be delighted to hear of your appreciation. We hope to be able to welcome you to another Phare Circus performance in the future.
Awesome show! Must do in Cambodia
Jason_C, Aug 2022
This was so much fun. The performers were all incredible. The booking website doesn't mention it but there are street food stores there from 5.00 with cheap beer and food. So complete your experience by heading there early having some delicious food and drinks before hand and then afterwords take some photos with the performers. 10/10
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Hi Jason_C , thank you for the review and tips for future guests. Enjoying the Cambodian street food, drinks, shopping and other pre-show activities before the show make for a gull evening experience. We'll get right on updating the description on Viator to make sure guests are aware. Thanks again for pointing it out.
An evening of joy!
Nusrat_J, Jul 2022
An excellent way to spend our final evening here. The artists are wonderfully talented and clearly loved performing to the audience. You could feel the joy radiating from them! The storytelling aspect of the performances were wonderful. You could follow along without any problem. We caught the show "Same, Same but Different" and thoroughly enjoyed how the cultural differences were shown but in time of need how everyone came together. The live music was amazing as well. All in all, it is a show that can't be missed!
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Hi Nusrat_J, thank you very much for such a detailed review of your Phare Circus experience. The artists indeed pour their hearts into the performance as they're sharing stories they created based on their own life experiences. "Same Same but Different" is hilarious as well as enlightening to understand how Cambodians see us and themselves in daily life situations. The live music is all original, composed by the musicians themselves. It's interesting to watch them play, keeping one eye on the stage to assure the music is perfectly timed with the action. We're delighted that you enjoyed your final evening in Siem Reap and honored that Phare Circus was a part of it.
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Product code: 6719REPPHARE

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