Smaller can be Better

Hi everyone,

This morning I am celebrating the small circus. Straight out of a scene from "Toby Tyler, or 10 weeks with a circus" I found myself entranced with calliope sounds last Tuesday when went into Kinsale for errands. Evidently the circus would be playing our town on Wednesday and Thursday for two performances each day. It slipped my mind until yesterday when I found 2 Euro off coupons in a local store. The only thing competing on our calendar was cleaning up rubbish with the Tidy Towns committee - so banishing our civic duty for another week we played hookey, picked up our friend Joan and went along to the circus.

Ireland is host to many small circuses, we have seen them play throughout the summer along with other events in all the towns around Kinsale. Fossett's bills itself as the only completely Irish circus and the Fossett family have been entertaining the people of Ireland since 1888. The blue tent is about the size of an ice skating rink, and it might be able to hold 700 people, although a rough count last night made me think there were 150 in attendance (not that I am good at such guesses mind you). In the spirit of the thing we got ringside seats, which in this case were truly ringside the performers being 3 feet away on the other side of a meter high metal barrier which slotted together at the edges of the panels and was painted with swirls and curly cews.

The performers were marvelous. No other word can describe it. Margie couldn't watch when the high wire folks were twirling. The Chinese acrobats were enthralling and the juggling, tumbling troupe stacked themselves on top of pole from the floor to the ceiling of the tent. The camels were the only live animals who performed and they were very interesting with their furry feet and legs and odd facial expressions. They also had pony rides for kids during intermission, which would here be called an interval, which along with face painting made for an evening the children would never forget. One of the ponies looked to be semi-bad tempered but all were held in tight control.

I left really blessing the performers, thanking them in my heart for the lives they lead and the joy they bring to people as they tour throughout the summer. Most were young people in their twenties and the seemed to be thoroughly enjoying what they did. If ever in Ireland, we recommend you take the chance for an evening of great entertainment.

We look forward to reading any circus stories you may want to add in your comments,
All the best,
Alana