The lighting display across the raked seating look spectacular from the blimp camera prowling over the stadium, but the filigree details of circusperformance and choreographed trickery were lost as the cameras, as is usual on these occasions, had no idea where to look.
Anyone responsible for a travelling circus that uses wild animals in a performance will need to hold a valid licence, meet welfare standards and have a retirement plan for each animal.
And just as he once put on a decent performance as a tightrope walker in a circus some 15 years ago, Mr Hagen has learned to keep his footing in parliamentary politics.