Circus rolls into town for 3 days of shows
A trainer watches an elephant stand on its hind legs Tuesday during the Royal Hanneford Shriner Circus at First Arena in Elmira. The circus will be in Binghamton / JASON WHONG / STAFF PHOTOMay. 4, 2011
John Cleary Correspondent
from: www.pressconnects.com
The Royal Hanneford Circus, loaded with history, stops this weekend at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton for five performances.
It traces its pedigree, in the roundabout way of circuses, to Edwin Hanneford, a juggler said to have performed before King George III of England in 1778. By the early 20th century, the Hannefords were traveling Europe as a touring troupe and, after impressing John Ringling in a 1915 Spanish performance, were signed to Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The troupe was best known for the work of Edwin "Poodles" Hanneford, a trick horse rider whose somersaults from one galloping steed to the next earned him an induction to the Circus Hall of Fame. His tricks also inspired his nephew, Tommy Hanneford, who learned the stunts and eventually established the Hanneford Circus as its own touring company. Along the way, he married Stuppi Hungerford, who was an internationally renowned trapeze artist, high-wire walker and tiger trainer.
After the death of Tommy Hanneford, himself a Hall of Famer, the circus continued under the direction of Stuppi Hungerford. Hungerford continues to operate the family circus, which now consists of two touring arena shows, a traditional big top tent show and tent shows at two amusement parks.
Among the acts now associated with the circus are juggler Benito Aguilar, the acrobatic Anastasini Brothers, David Zoppe's Rhesus Monkey Revue and animal trainer Vincente Pages.
The Binghamton shows benefit the charitable activities of the Kalurah Shrine.
No comments:
Post a Comment