Page 30 - The Outdoor Shoman JUL-SEP 2019

CIRCUS NEWS
Hudson’s Circus
Mixed results for Shane and Nancy Lennon so far this year: so-so in Tamworth, Dubbo for July holidays, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee and Muswellbrook; badly drought-affected in Inverell, Armidale and Griffith, but great in Canberra (several sites), Queanbeyan, Tumut and Goulburn.
August, last time on Gosford Leagues Club site, traditional for 30 years.
It’s going to be redeveloped.
New: American animal trainer Casey McCoy Cainau working the llama-camel- Water buffalo mixed act and liberty Welsh Mountain ponies.
New: Fourth prime mover for the animal semi, and new dressing-room back door truck.
Hudson’s host the Australian Circus Festival at Mitchelton, Brisbane, in November.
Three-way Wheel of Destiny, first of its kind in Australia, with Hudson’s Circus.
Triple wheel of Destiny - New act as of May 2019 Roland Williams Romina Gonzalez
Kevin Cartes
Circus Rio
News media went viral July 16 after aerialist Gabi Souza fell 8.5 metres
(the press said 11.5 metres) during performance at Glenelg, South Australia. She suffered two broken arms and ribs.
Two days later, the press did it all over again. Motor-cyclist mis-timed his jump from a front-door ramp to a ramp at the back door. He crashed, not badly hurt. Both back performing.
Circus Rio, South Australia
Not before the SA Government inspectors and cameras paraded in and closed the show. They picked on seven technical faults, nothing to do with either act. Later they cleared four faults, and allowed the show to resume.
Rio was already booked to play Bathurst, NSW, 1,300km away, the following week; early crew were already there. Show opened to excellent business Friday, 2 August.
Features: Russian Banderaz flying trapeze troupe (five) with extra top- centre catcher, SMX jumping motor- cycle, former NICA student Richard hoop-diving, Wheel of Death, lots
of aerial, Hayley on gyro-wheel, Russian illusionists, comedy mime Ian Richardson and Brazilian clown Wilson.
Eroni’s Circus
Whip-cracking
Rare appearance at Burton’s Springfield: Warren Lennon and daughter Zoe, 18, whip- cracking. I’ve now seen four generations
Bogged to the axles in August on Melbourne’s softest ground, Bayswater. Show is becoming regular favourite around Victoria with range of animal acts and balanced child-friendly program. Circus Royale
Damien Syred’s show saw steady business around Melbourne for winter, Roxborough Downs in August. Burton’s Circus
Big bridge: three tent spectacleat Springfield, Ipswich, Queensland. Ticket- box out front.
First tent: life-size animatronic dynasaurs that move their heads and tails and roar like lions, free once you’ve bought your ticket.
Second tent: canteen, teacup ride, souvenirs, coffee, photos.
Third tent: all-chair Show. Spectacular South American juggler (I saw get a standing ovation!) five-person flying trapeze (three girls, catcher and Michael Stanton as high middle catcher) Globe, Archie (Hollywood film actor Robert Bruce) mime clown, Jane Grant Ring Mistress, good varied music to suit changing acts, plenty of aerial.
Burton’s showed winter in Queensland: Bundaberg, Yeppoon, Rockhampton (holidays), Moranbah, Emerald, Gladstone, Loganholme, Broadbeach, Mt Gravatt.
of Lennon’s doing this act: Mick, Philip, Lindsay, and now Warren-Zoe.
Up to 25 kids in the round-the-ring line- up, probably the most traditional act of its kind in Australia now.
It was once: Warren’s re-built the family fold-up dodgem track, first outing August 3-4 in Brisbane. (Jenny failed as he was pulling down). Probably no more whips for a while.
Elephants
Last on the road in 1969, and unable to import exotics since 1963, Bullens Circus once travelled 14 elephants all around Australia and NZ.
Craig and Zelie Bullen, guardians of the second-last one, say she died at their property at Canungra, Queensland, the last week of July. She was Sabu.
The last survivor, Burma, is at Western Plains zoo, Dubbo
The only other ex-Circus elephant in Australasia, Saigon, lives with Fred and Lorraine Maynard, themselves now retired after half a century running Perry Bros’ Circus, at Myrtleford, Victoria. Weber’s Circus
Showed Camden Equestrian Park, NSW, July, EG Whitlam Park, Tempe- Undercliffe, Wallerawang 5-8 August, then Liverpool.
Sydney loves their Western theme and happy young cast, especially the Russian Swing that closes the show. Good variety. Stardust Circus
From strength to strength around Sydney, Stardust did four weeks, the June-July holidays, at Rosehill Racecourse, after five weeks at Castle Hill.
They opened a new block, Bicentennial Park, Rockdale, for four weeks, on invitation of the Mayor. Doug Ashton had played nearby in the 1960s-1970s. Then Warrawong (Wollongong), and three weeks Miranda.
New: a 15-by-27-metre Red-and Yellow porch tent, with more inflatables nearby. Teeter board young act has ten performers plus two Safety rigging.
28 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN