FROM SOUTH AFRICA....

All the fun of the circus

DEATH-DEFYING STUNTS ... Canadian circus artist Francesca has been in the business for over 30 years and will be performing in Port Elizabeth from Thursday

2010/09/21 Nomahlubi Jordaan

FROM poodles to pythons, clowns to ponies, magic to illusion, contortion to balancing acts – the circus is coming to town.

The traditional McLaren Circus will have shows at the Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth from Thursday to October 3.

According to the organisers, the show is an hour and a half of absorbing action, suspense, surprise and humour, staged in the same wholesome family spirit that parents and grandparents enjoyed when they were children.

Circus spokesman Duncan McLaren said the show featured acrobats, midget clowns and performing animals.“The animals range from poodles to goats, donkeys, ponies, a miniature horse, camels and snakes to tigers, lions and white lions,” said McLaren.“We want people – especially kids – to come to the show and see what their parents saw when they were young.

We also don’t want the circus to die.“We want everybody to know, feel and see what the circus is all about,” he said.

The show is staged in a new Big Top circus tent at the Boardwalk and is recommended for all ages.

Tickets are R40 (side benches), R60 (raised chairs) or R80 (ringside).

Show times are at 3pm and 7pm and the ticket office is open daily from 10 am.

Tickets are available only from the circus site.

The opening show is at 3pm on Thursday and the run is until Sunday, October 3 at 3pm.

There is no performance on Monday.