“Come rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet - the show must go on!” Show people don’t say that for nothing. Posters have been put up, flyers have been distributed, a travel plan has been made. It takes A LOT to outright cancel performances and the management look to every available option before pulling the plug and disappointing kids, families and circus-loving grown-ups.
Hence what’s happening in Kilkenny. Unfortunately, the crazy weather conditions we’re having and the flooded ground by the new cattle mart in Kilkenny means that Circus Vegas hasn’t been able to pitch up its pretty new circus tent there.
But don’t worry - the show will go on - inside the mart itself! So while there may not be the white and red stripes of a tent, there will be the same old intoxicating mix of sawdust, candyfloss and daredevil stunts. And maybe a slight whiff of cattle.
Added to Circus Vegas on January 27, 2009 in Circus Life | 0 Comments
There’s a lovely piece over on CNN.com about what life is like on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. You can read it by clicking here.
Some pictures taken during the opening weekend in Swords; The stunning arial act went down very well, as did the gorgeous dogs, the speedy juggling and the colourful dance routines.
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You know, Spiderman doesn’t always wear his spidey suit. Sometimes, when he’s just practising and stuff, sometimes he just wears jeans and a t-shirt.
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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.
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