Drum Roll

About this board game

Drum Roll is a circus management board game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 90 minutes. Set in the early 1900s, it places each player in charge of a circus travelling around Europe to hire performers and give shows.

Building a successful circus means understanding what each performer needs. Every act has demands that may include Rehearsal, Equipment, Supplies, Costumes, and Promotion, with requirements varying from one performer to another.

Performers can deliver three levels of performance: poor, good, or outstanding. Higher-quality performances require players to fulfill more of an act’s demands, but they also provide greater benefits for the circus.

• Tamers
• Acrobats
• Bizarre performers
• Magicians
• Jugglers

Outstanding performances create an important decision. When a performer reaches the highest level, the player must choose between taking the maximum benefit from the act or claiming the Prestige Points it offers.

There are also other ways to strengthen a circus, including trailers, investments, and personnel that help performers do their best. In Drum Roll, careful planning and resource fulfillment shape the quality of every show as players develop their circuses across Europe.