Circus and pantomime

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 8

Circus and pantomime

"The Ulown who lost] his circus," a. combin-; ation of circus and pantomime, now playing to big audiences in Auckland, will appear in Christchurch later this month. I 'The show, staged by Ash-: I ton’s Circus, combines all' [the ingredients of traditional; pantomime with a circus! ] incorporating a great variety; • of animals. Quarantine restrictions have in the past prevented acts such as the Great Mos-I cow Circus from bringing; many animals into New Zealand. but Ashton’s Circus isi based in Australia and has brought not only the usual .elephants, lions, and tigers,! • but three camels and a troupe! lof performing pigs. It also

i has the usual circus acts of trapeze artists, dancers, I riders, and aerialists. . It will be the first -time a show of this kind has come to Christchurch, and a promoter with the show (Mr A. Goodliffe) expects it to go down well with Christchurch; : audiences. “There has always been a tremendous response to cirIcuses here,” he said. It is hoped to hold a grand (parade through the city! 'streets the day after the show! [opens, although the promoiters are still awaiting approval from the Christ-; 'church City Council. This is Ashton’s first trip Ito New Zealand for nine (years. It is proving an expenisive business to transport the I show. It cost $lOO,OOO to • bring it across the Tasman, and costs $3OOO a day to run!

while in New Zealand. The show will open under, a big top in North Hagleyl Park on January 29 and will' run until Februarv 15.