Welcome to the 2018 Circus Season.
Unfortunately, we have lost one of our favourite members, Dollie Lennon, who passed away at the age of 101.
I am sure someone else will write about his incredible lady of Australian Circus, but I remember my first meeting with her at Circus Royale in Perth many, many years ago.
We also lost a circus trouper Del Rudies before Christmas. Del was a real character. I know John MacDonnell has written a report on her life.
Welcome to a new circus, Circus Rio, who started on the Gold Coast. They have created a storm over a lady asking on their Facebook page if they have animals. Their response was unnecessary. The CFA fights for the circus, but commenting rudely about circuses with performing animals or printing “no animals” or “cruelty-free” on advertising does nothing to assist the Australian circus industry. Shows like Silver’s and Circus Phoenix do not have animals, but they do not advertise this fact.
I think if a circus does not wish to have performing animals, this is their decision. But to advertise it is so demeaning to those shows that do have performing exotic and domestic animals. I would like to know your thoughts.
I had Circus Royale open the season in Corio, Geelong. I made it to two sessions. I enjoyed the programme presented, and I look forward to seeing Royale again before they leave Melton to see some of Damian’s new acts before they jump into Gippsland. A new horse riding act is nearly ready and is being presented during intermission so that the horse gets used to the public movement. I am sure this act will be a winner.
Damian has put forward an idea to attract new members to the CFA. I’ll provide more details when it’s up and running. I thank you, Damian, you have so much on your plate and to be thinking of new ways to advertise the CFA is lovely.
Also in the Geelong area over January was the Wonderland Spiegeltent at Barwon Heads. They presented several different types of circuses and shows on different days, with children’s circus plus an 18-plus show, which Karen and I attended. The circus acts were world-class, but the use of the “F” word in the intro to me was unnecessary. The finale of the Ringmaster and the Ring-mistress brought the house down while both doing a striptease, him to his jocks and her to her panties and bra. It was a great show, and they were more than pleased to put up a CFA banner in the box office and hand out CFA application forms. Let’s hope we can get a few more members before our 2018 Convention.
Personally, I go under the knife in Geelong Hospital on February 19. I hope this fixes my hip and by Convention time I am walking without my walking stick.
Enjoy visiting circuses that come to your area and tell us all about it.
Raymond
RINGMASTER