THE BALLOON MAN

The Circus Is Back in Town
The clowns are the highlight of the show


‘The Great World Circus’ features trapeze artists and a gigantic hamster wheel.  (Photo courtesy of Summarecon Mal Serpong)
from:  thejarkataglobe.com
By Marcel Thee
May 3, 2013.
Flipping dogs, climbing cats, jolly clowns, trapeze artists and human totem poles are just some of what “The Great World Circus” has in store for visitors.

Opening last week at Summarecon Mal Serpong in Tangerang, Banten, the circus has its tent up until May 19 with two shows every weekday (4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and four shows every weekend day and holiday (10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.).

While the mall’s previous circus event focused on Russian acts, the “World Circus” sees an intriguing mix of American, Australian, Chinese and Indonesian performers showcasing their tricks.

While it is not always easy to distinguish between them, the variation does make for a welcome change from the usually ham-fisted local circus shows of recent years.

The circus’s spotlight shines brightest on Russian clowns Oleg Liostaiev and Iulia Konokh, both part of ringmaster Sasha Vosk’s troupe. The couple’s energy transcends a generally unreceptive Indonesian crowd, spicing the mood for less animated performers.

At more than a few shows, Liostaiev runs into the arena, quickly approaches an audience member and mimics their unenthusiastic body-slouched, arms-crossed pose, jolting plenty of others up from the same position.

The clowns’ interactions with audience members often draw the biggest applause of the night.

None of the other performers quite live up to Liostaiev and Konokh’s antics, but Henry Gonzales and Lennin Johan’s “Wheel of Death” evokes similar awe from the audience.

 

‘The Great World Circus’ features trapeze artists and a gigantic hamster wheel.  (Photo courtesy of Summarecon Mal Serpong)
Performing on a gigantic hamster wheel spinning fast enough to cause serious injury, Gonzales and Lennin clearly relish the audience’s “ooohs” and “aaahs” accompanying their increasingly dazzling acrobatics.

As most of the visitors were young children, the dog-and-cat show also went down a storm. Russian dog trainer Andrey Loshkin had his gang of canines roll and flip all over the place, while a trio of compatriot trainers had cats rope-hanging and juggling to the delight of every child in the audience.

A slight letdown was Indonesian magician Paul Matapuzh’s show. Performing only one trick and with a lethargic sense of pace, Matapuzh’s flashy getup was not matched by his showmanship.

It didn’t help that the clearly able illusionist’s time slot as the opener of the show’s second session was shoehorned between people returning to their seats and a far more animated trapeze.

But things swiftly pick up with the ZimboyZ and their gymnastic routine. The trio of Silvestre Cauiane, Vusa Mangunggu and Wenwesen Damitie Haileyesus contort, stand on each other and go against the laws of physics as they create a human totem pole.

The mall’s corporate representative Cut Meutia said the event was part of the shopping center’s plan to globalize its image. “ ‘The World Circus’ is being held to entertain people from the surrounding area with an international-class escapade,” she said.

Seats are not numbered, so it is best to arrive early, but a good time for the whole family awaits.