He made hearts pound in 2012 when he completed the first-ever tightrope walk in Mississippi atop the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Audiences also held their breath as he dangled by his toes from a helicopter.
And this month, comedic daredevil Bello Nock has returned to Biloxi as the star of Funambula, a theatrical circus sensation that runs at the Beau Rivage through June 23.
“It’s a talented international cast who have been circus performers their whole lives, and we’re so happy to have them in Mississippi this summer,” says Mary Cracchiolo Spain, regional director of public relations with the Beau Rivage.
The DreamCast Entertainment production features a dozen acts packed with world-class acrobats, aerialists and other artists. The standout, even in such a talented lineup, is Nock — a seventh-generation circus performer known for mixing death-defying feats with humor.
“I love eliciting thrills and laughter — adrenaline and endorphins all in one!” says Nock, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and “Britain’s Got Talent.” He also has been named “America’s Best Clown” by TIME magazine, holds a Guinness World Record for his wire walk over a cruise ship at sea and received the “Gold Clown,” the circus world’s highest honor, from Princess Stephanie at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival. He holds the distinction of being the only performer around whom Ringling Brothers designed a whole show.
A multi-faceted entertainer, Nock is most in his element during live performances.
“I love the audience,” he says. “The instantaneous relationship keeps me on my toes and keeps each performance fresh.”
Funambula, French for tightrope walker, holds audiences spellbound with jugglers, hand-balancing acts, strongman demonstrations, aerial displays and much more. One of Nock’s favorites are the motorcycles riding upside down in a steel cage ball.
Spain says Funambula has something for everyone and is fun for the whole family.
“It’s just a really nice night out with live entertainment for the price of going to the movies,” she adds. “It gets people on the edge of their seats because the acts are just so incredible.”
As thrilled as the Beau Rivage is to welcome Bello back, he’s equally excited about returning to the Coast— where he once dazzled onlookers by traversing a tightrope 360 feet in the air.
“I love Biloxi! I love the people, and I love the Beau Rivage,” Nock says. “It really is like coming home.”
IF YOU GO
Funambula at the Beau Rivage
- Show runs through June 23
- Performances are 7 p.m. Monday- Thursday; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; no performances on Friday.
- Tickets start at $12.95, plus tax and service fees. Family four-packs start at $40 (promo code: FAMILY). Military can receive four tickets for $30 on Monday performances Tickets are available for purchase at the Beau Rivage box office, by phone at (888) 566-7469 or online at www.beaurivage.com.