Page 31 - The Outdoor Showman JAN-MAR 2019

We are delighted to announce that John MacDonnell is taking over The Outdoor Showman Circus and Rodeo News from Geoff Greaves, who’s contributed for the past 40 years.
Arguably the longest-serving Ringmaster in Australasia, he has introduced acts and programs in Sole’s, Ashton’s,
Lennon’s, Burton’s, Stardust, Royale, Royale American 3-Ring, and his own Eden Bros’ Circuses, since 1974.
John helped inspire Dollie Lennon to write her story, “Sawdust in my Shoes,” and then subbed the manuscript.
You’ve probably heard his signature line, “Welcome to the Show.” Well, you’re all welcome now!
John has enjoyed the company of many Show families over the years, and has stayed mum about plenty of their secrets.
He still keeps an alpaca, mini pony and performing goat ( “Not me!”) on his almost two acres at Regency Downs, near Queensland’s Plainland.
You can expect to meet him again as he drops in for a coffee or “the odd one”, anywhere down the track.
If this involves a story or pictures, he’ll help you get the Show message out.
CIRCUS NEWS
1. INTRODUCTION – JOHN MACDONNELL
2. STARDUST
What’s believed to the first radical new lion act in 50 years opens the Show.
Clown Huckleberry (Matt Ezekiel Smith) pushes a four-foot- square box into the cage.
Ringmaster Adam St James warns him lions are coming. He hides behind the box: three males and three females, fully-grown, enter and play.
No pedestals or props of any sort. Matt plays with them, cuddles, pats, feeds them meat from a stick held in his mouth, lies down with them, gets into a pyramid with one standing up leaning on either shoulder - the whole act looks like play, and it is.
He also puts them through several tricks and audiences love it.
The 11-man teeterboard act is re-worked, to include Talira 12, redhead Shakira13, Cassius13, Memphis 16 and Shania 20.
Shae18, Wyatt 8, Yelena, Shae, New York import Christie and Lynda Sanderson perform four silks at once.
And the flying act has five girls and two boys going rapid-fire to Newcastle-trained catcher Sam Gatt.
Gosford in January, then Taree, Pt Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Kempsey, Anna Bay and Batteau Bay for the Easter holidays! Then heading back to Sydney.
3. CIRCUS ROYALE
Damien Syred celebrated 12 years running this Show on February 25th.
Re-opened at Williams Landing in Melbourne, mid-February, it carries a new South American family (last performing in Saudi Arabia).
They do three-man-high wire, Globe of Death and Double Wheel. Until they arrived, Reme Rodriguez, Amelia and Phoenix filled in.
Royale were part of Keith Brown’s Dynasaur-Circus production at Warrnambool in Victoria, for several weeks of the January break.
JAN-MAR 2019 THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 29