Review Spanish circus

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 7

Review Spanish circus

The Spanish International Circus, at Hagley Park, December 27, at 8 p.m. Reviewed by Dave Wilson. Despite being one of the oldest forms of organised public entertainment in the world, the circus’ continues to provide a special magic that works without the need for high-tech special effects. Sole Brothers Circus of Australia proved this point in Christchurch last evening with an almost two-hour show that rigidly conformed to accepted circus traditions, while enthralling a capacity audience Under the .Big Top at Hagley Park. While not the biggest circus to play New Zealand, this show must rate as one of the cleanest, best-organised and best-lit performances, and the few off moments need to be viewed in the context of a quite modest admission charge. Where else can two adults and two children see a live two-hour spectacular for a total of $3O?

However, its billing as “The Spanish International” circus tests the credulity. The show is as Spanish as my cat — and she’s from Timaru.

Protesters lining the entrance to Hagley Park demanded that the animals be released into the jungle. The merits of that argument aside, Sole Brothers’ animals are obviously well cared for, and gave displays that especialy delighted the many children in the tent. Minyak the elephant was a particular favourite. Under the control of Lindsay Sole (who also worked the lions, horses and anything else with four legs) Minyak performed elephantine acrobatics.

Infortunately Minyak’s display time was a brief two minutes. Which is about as long as this tusker would survive in the jungles today, given the roaring ivory trade. The big drawback of the circus is its abysmal public announcement system. Spectators ’ last evening simply could not understand the ring announcements. £o we had the Amazing (something) Brothers in an amazing

foot juggling act; and the fabulous flying (somebodies) who did breathtaking antics on the trapeze.

Promotional literature identifies the acrobats and trapeze artists as the Papadopaulos family, a. k. a. The Flying Tonitos, a five-member troupe (three men and two women) who ran through the card and rightly received the strongest applause of the evening.

Miss Anna also did some marvellous acrobatics on a rope and was a particular favourite of the male spectators. Her skimpy costume also seemed to draw admirers.

Among the animal performers a group of Shetland ponies and some Appaloosas made up the performing horse contingent, while Lindsay Sole opened the show with an impressive whipcracking routine with four snarling lions who acted as though they wanted him for their supper. Deep down though, they were just pussycats. Big pussycats.

Two routines involving a pair of clowns were surprisingly leaden. One routine seemed to involve the clows spraying mouthfuls of water over each other. In the second routine they played silly beggars with some whistles.

Yet these drawbacks should not deter families contemplating attending the show. The seats are comfortable and offer a good view of the acts. The sound system may be poor but the lighting ensures you can always see what is happening. The perfrmers are enthusiastic. The circus hands are a show in themselves, expertly and swiftly clearing the ring and setting it up for the next act. What’s more, everybody involved in this circus is so polite with the public — a circus rarity these days. . ,

And of course there are the animals, a guaranteed drawcard for young and old alike. Sole Brothers are worthy of carrying thefspecial magic that wsl always be associated with a circus.