A circus with a nod to old-fashioned fun rolled into the Taieri A&P showgrounds at Mosgiel on Friday.
The showground was the latest in a long list of Otago towns visited by Circus Aotearoa, a travelling show which favours clown gags and acrobatics over stunts involving animals and pyrotechnics. Ringmaster Damian Gordon said 11 ‘‘multi-talented'' people formed the circus.
‘‘We are mainly a bunch of Kiwis and Aussies and we have got a small tent, so we play to our strengths.
‘‘Which is, of course, humour.''
After 20 years in the circus he still enjoyed watching the audience enjoy the show.
‘‘I get a real buzz out of three or four generations having a fun time."
While he did not grow up in the circus, he believed the lifestyle was in his blood.
‘‘I did grow up the youngest of six boys, though, so yeah, my life was a circus.''
On Friday, an audience of mainly families was entertained by jugglers, tight-rope walkers and clowns armed with balloon animals and mischievous attitudes.
Mr Gordon said the circus tent could hold 240 people.
‘‘One of the best bits is seeing so much of the country.
‘‘Even in Otago every place is different so it is good to be here.''
The circus, which left Mosgiel yesterday, will perform for Dunedin crowds from April 22-May 1.
