THE BALLOON MAN

Think twice before running away to join the circus
By Brad Meyer / bmeyer@hcnonline.com
from: yourhoustonnews.com
June 14, 2012

With the international economy in shambles, another Middle East war potentially around the corner and government bureaucrats trying to limit the size of your next Mountain Dew, who hasn’t thought about chucking reality for a life on the road.
At one time or another, most folks have thought about ditching family obligations and responsibilities for a carefree life as a clown in the circus. The lure of greasepaint and making people laugh for a living is heady stuff.

Unfortunately, life on the road isn’t all big tops and cotton candy – and those elephants don’t clean up after themselves.

Despite the heat, hundreds of area residents flocked to the Piccadilly Circus when it came to the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe earlier this week. In the center ring, exciting acrobats thrilled the crowds and fanciful clowns made them laugh. Backstage, the mood was more somber.

“This might have been a horrible career choice,” quipped Shane Johnson, a Dallas native who’s humorous routine about a dysfunctional car with a mind of its own – Al’s Limousine – had crowds laughing at both the early and late shows. “Maybe I should have paid more attention at school.”

Sweating through the greasepaint between performances, Johnson noted that circus life is comprised of long hours, low pay and a constant race to the next town. Even headlining performers have to help clean up after the show, pack up the gear and help set up.

“It’s hardly glamorous,” he said. “And it’s a hard way to make a living.”

Johnnie Torreblanca, a juggling clown with the circus, said life is tough being on the road 300 days a year – often being up late after a show to pack up and drive up to 300 miles to the next performance.

Piccadilly Circus performed in Corsicana on June 8 and had three shows a day in Shreveport on June 9 and 10 before rolling into Conroe for two shows the following day. After the shows here, they were headed to Beaumont.
read more at:http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/living/think-twice-before-running-away-to-join-the-circus/article_84d063bb-7cbd-56b2-b58d-cae44852b8fe.html