Changing times for circuschildren

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 4

Changing times for circuschildren

By

JOAN BEGG

If you are planning to give up school and run away to join the circus perhaps you should think again.

Circuses might still have the excitement which enticed many a story . book school truant in the past, but they now also have their own schools.

The seven children in the Royale American Three Ring Circus, which arrived in Christchurch yesterday, have to study at least four hours each day even during the school holidays, under the supervision of their two teachers.

The circus ringmaster, Mr John Mac Donnell, said there was not much point running away to the circus these days because of the schooling.

Children often ask about joining the circus, but were told that they had to be aged at least 16 and old enough to leave home before they would be considered.

He does recommend it as a career.

The most interesting aspect is travelling the world meeting people of a variety of nationalities and intellects in a relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere. The excitement also has its dangers. No-one had been seriously hurt at the circus but there have been some close calls. The circus owner and animal trainer, Mr Frank Gasser, once had his back ripped by a tiger while he was performing. The wound required 80 stitches. Performers are constantly facing potentially dangerous situations. Trapeze artists swing metres above the ground, and animal trainers deal with trained — but not tamed — panthers, leopards, lions and tigers.

The risks were accepted as part of the job said Mr Mac Donnell.

The Royale American circus, with its crew of 65 from 12 different countries has toured New Zealand for

the last six months and will continue until next May. Its big top, caravans, and wild cat cages now adorn Queen Elizabeth II Park where it will perform from December 25 until January 5.

Like all touring circuses the American circus is a family affair with the sense of family apparent from the

top. The owners, Frank and Manuela Gasser, and their four sons, of Switzerland, have the circus life in their blood. The family has been in the business for two centuries and how owns six major circuses throughout the world. Circus children are encouraged from an early age to join in. The circus’s youngest performer, aged seven, does a shoulder perch act, which includes a hand stand seven metres above the shoulders of her sister, aged 14. Their father, Chi Chi the Clown, is, at 53 years, the oldest performer in the circus.

Although the circus aims to entertain all the family there is nothing quite like the response of children, according to Mr Mac Donnell. Thousands of children would come up before, during and after a performance to say what they liked and did not like about an act, without any inhibitions, he said.

The circus is aware of its impact on children and has

set up an educational programme to accompany its tours. The educational officer, Mr Barrie Nixon, said that during term time he precedes the circus and talks to school classes about the circus, its animals and performers. The circus then puts on special school performances to amplify what has been taught, he said. More than 100,000 children have attended the special performances from Auckland to Hawera, in Taranaki. The programme will resume after the summer holidays.