Vibrant colours, glistening gowns and music that moves you is what greets one as they are captivated by Circus Olympia. For the ladies, muscly men flex their stuff, whilst the men are kept engrossed by the well toned bodies of the women in outfits that will leave them drooling. Whilst mum and dad are entertained the little's will be laughing in their seats with the jolly pranks of the clowns and the amazing skills of the farmyard animals.
We were lucky enough to attend Circus Olympia during it's visit to Mt Gambier SA. It all started with a behind the scenes visit with the local homeschooling group. During this visit we were kindly shown around the circus community by Kyra who answered all our questions and more. Did you know it takes a team of
10 -12 men to put up the tent. It takes one and a half days to erect using hydraulic equipment and 6 hours to dismantle. Should the hydraulics fail it is out with the mallets and by hand each huge peg must be pounded. There are 29 members of the Circus Olympia community with approximately 10 performers. Tasks range from selling tickets and popcorn to taking photo's of the crowd, showing people to their seats and assisting with acts. It is all hands on deck as the circus community unite and join as one.
I was so inspired by our homeschooling visit that at the end I approach Kyra with my questions on the community within, how it functions, how they all get along and what life is really about. It was then that I met Chavella in the ticket office who was quick to give me a further insight into their life, if only by her interaction with Kyra, and further information on their touring venues and dates. Chavella kindly invited us to the show that evening to give us the opportunity to take photo's of the performance and see how it is all put together when it matters most.
Circus Olympia took me back to the days of my childhood when attending the circus was a regular family event. The clowns still made me laugh as they pulled a prank or two, interacted with the crowd and filled the gap in between acts. I was still amazed at the skill of the juggling, the flexibility of the acrobats and the discipline of the performers. Circus Olympia showed me that it is possible to take the old and create new. To stay with the tradition but to mold it to suit the next generation.
My children were just as thrilled and engrossed as I was. Little Celeste just loved the farmyard animals. Who would have thought you could train ducks to obey command, cows to stand on a pedestal and doves to fly and land as required. Of course there was the traditional ponies but this time they threw in the goats as a compliment. One thing I did miss was the cute cuddly dog act which I am so accustomed to seeing in a circus. When I later mentioned this to the children they did not seem to feel the same.
For my older children ( 12 and 16) there was the thrills and anticipation of the acrobatics with modern music and dance moves thrown in to get all clapping and grooving. I noticed during the performance that there was a row of teenage girls toward the back who on regular occasions were up in front of their seats clapping and dancing, just as they would at a concert.
Intermission,halfway through the show, did not take away from the suspense and excitement. Time seemed to go past quickly as there was the toilet stop and the purchase of popcorn or fairy floss. For the young, and young at heart, there was the traditional balls in the clowns mouth to try your luck with.
The second half of the show was full of suspense and intrigue as fire was juggled from high above and fire hoops twirled around the waist whilst suspended in mid air. The clown revved things up a bit with balloons that burst and in ring participation from audience members, oh ! And not to forget the beach ball through the crowd trick.
After two hours of being enthralled and entertained we left feeling enlightened and on top of the world. Ready to rush out and buy some hula hoops I wonder how many I could twirl all at one time – oh! the days of the old school yard. I questioned how anyone could possibly bend their body like they did and how one can have such perfect balance when I can't even stand on one leg.
Circus Olympia – Highly recommended for the whole family. With tickets starting at $65 for a family, snacks and souvenirs well priced and entertainment that leaves you feeling breathless how can one go wrong.
Read more about life in a circus community in July issue of Good Gabble Newzine.
Grab your copy at http://goodgabble.blogspot.com
Find out where you can see Circus Olympia at: www.circusolympia.com.au
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