Here’s to the new circus season

Added to Circus Vegas on January 6, 2009 in Circus Life | 1 Comments

Circus Vegas has emerged from its brief winter hibernation and is about to kick off the 2009 tour.

Traditionally, Irish circuses finish up for the season around mid-November. This is a bittersweet time. There are lots of goodbyes to say – many of the international acts are only here for a year or two. The circus then retreats to its ‘winter quarters’ for a well-deserved rest. The winter quarters are usually someplace where the animals can both shelter and graze and where the caravans (or ‘wagons’ as us circus types call them) can get 24-hour electricity and water.

Almost immediately, work begins on fixing things up for the new year. The colourful trucks are retouched or repainted. Any repairs to costumes and equipment that need to be done get underway and the hunt begins for the stars of the new season.

By January, everyone is itching to go. The trucks and caravans all pull out and begin the ‘build up’. There are so, so many things to do. From marking out exactly where the circus tent is going to go, to the precise arrangements of the trucks and trailers (the big trucks are placed so that they protect the circus tent from strong winds, and the caravans are arranged by who has the most costume changes – the more you have, the closer to backstage you are!). From re-stocking the circus shop, to cleaning the candyfloss machine and putting new batteries in the circus souvenirs. From ordering new posters and information leaflets to – and this is a first for Circus Vegas – updating the website.

The week before opening night is a flurry of activity. The last few sequins are sown on to glittering costumes, eye-make-up pencils are sharpened and clown shoes are shined. The band practise their music while the ringmaster lays down the show’s running order. Horse tales are plaited and finished off with a ribbon bow. Seats are wiped clean, fresh sawdust is put down and the lights go on.

All that’s left is for the crowd to arrive. Then it’s show time.