Circus

by Allen Pogue and Suzanne De Laurentis, all rights reserved, 2005

Only a generation or two ago it was the goal of every young schoolboy to sneak under the tent flap when the circus came to town. Times have changed but the spectacle in some ways possesses more allure than ever for the young at heart. The current edition of Ringling Bros.Circus came thru Texas recently and the sophistication of the many acts is something to behold. The aerialists perform in ways unheard of a generation ago. Have you ever seen a trampoline suspended 35 feet above the ground and used to spring from trapeze to trapeze?.

Or how about a giant swing loaded with´flyers´ who are launched one by one across the ring into a huge gossamer curtain as if shot from a cannon.The´star´ of the show is a remarkable gymnast turned clown named Belo who takes his turn doing everything from riding a motorcycle on a high wire to standing on his head on an ´elephant´ head who is on a revolving pedestal doing a two-legged balancing act. Yes, the talented performers are what rounds out the show, but for me it is the horses. Beautiful equines gaily festooned in spotless harness and working in perfect rhythm, will always be the centerpiece of my circus memories. It has always been the horses that have provided the backdrop and in times past the muscle power that not only hauled the circus from town to town but also was used to erect the bigtop.

Nowadays the circus plays in the relative comfort of such arenas as The Alamo Dome. This is where by invitation, I was allowed to spend a day with the head-trainer Sacha Houcke. While on the road with this year’s show, Sacha is putting together next year’s act. And what an act it will be..Continue part II