The Circus at Bonython Park is a fantastic show. Don’t miss it | Peter Goers

There is a fantastic sight awaiting anyone who loves the big top and the roar of the crowd. Time is a circus, writes Peter Goers.

I’ve always wanted to run away with the circus but the circus might run away from me. I love traditional Australian circus. I love the sawdust, spangles, thrills, laughs, awe, energy, honesty of a traditional circus and I love the smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd. Best of all I love the faces of children rapt by the magic that only circus can provide.

I’m very sentimental about and nostalgic for circus and circus people. I once had the honour of interviewing four generations of the immortal Ashton family under canvas. Years before I’d met the matriarch, Mrs Phyllis Ashton, and was blinded by the serious diamonds which comprehensively be-ringed her fingers. She explained the many vicissitudes of the travelling circus life and the fact that the tent could blow away that night and her diamonds were circus insurance.

I saw the last circus train arrive in Adelaide, at Islington in the 1980s. I was once given a bag of elephant poo from a circus. I took it home, seasoned it for a year, put it on my roses and it killed them.

Australian circuses no longer feature exotic animals and they are no longer missed. The circus always moves on and the circus has moved on from animals.

Let there be dancing in the streets, necking in the parks and drinking in the saloons because after the sad Covid years, the circus is back in town. It’s called The Circus and it’s from the German/Australian Weber Brothers via New Zealand.

Luiz Daza, human cannonball at the circus at Bonython Park in Adelaide. Picture Supplied

There is only one word for this show; Wow! It’s a triumph and it’s the best circus I’ve seen in decades. It’s a tight, bright, glorious show for the whole family under a brand new beautiful Big Top at Bonython Park.

P. T. Barnum knew a thing or two about circus and he said that the clowns are pegs on which a circus is hung. Val De Fun (Valery Serebryakov, Jr) is a Ukranian clown (called a comedian in this show) and he’s a genius. He is the greatest circus clown I’ve ever seen live. He’s worthy of Buster Keaton and there is no higher praise. He and his young son Vladimir and a straight woman do two routines with a lot of props and with Swiss watch timing. Val De Fun performs the best pratfalls and slapstick these old circus-starred eyes have ever seen. Val De Fun is alone worth the price of admission but he’s just the icing on the cake.

We also get lots of classy, heart-in-the-mouth thrills, Ozzie, a funny, traditional circus clown (who tells us that he’s afraid of clowns, too) is a big hit in the peanut gallery, and there’s lots of glamour.

Gary Brophy and family at the circus in Bonython Park. Picture Supplied

Gary Brophy and family are stunning whip crackers, young Vladimir De Fun is a funny, winning unicyclist, the BMX jumps are breathtaking, the cloud swing, Russian swing and silk acts are superb, the FMX riders are wonderful and the huge motorcycle leap is incredible. Lauren Johnson is a beautiful ring mistress and Luis Daza as a human cannonball shot across ring and audience is extraordinary and unforgettable. Kids don’t try this at home.

Circus relies on the interdependence and trust of company members. A highlight of The Circus is watching the rigours of the riggers (some of whom are also performers) bringing equipment on and off. It’s a big, splendid, compelling, lovely show.

Circus at Bonython Park in Adelaide. Picture Supplied

Clowns at The Circus at Bonython Park in Adelaide. Picture Supplied

Time is a circus, said a great man, it’s always packing up and moving away. Don’t let this circus get away from you. In these strange days and cold nights we need the joy and escapism of two hours of magic. It’s showing at Bonython Park until September 4. Go.

I left The Circus floating on air but was soon down to earth – literally – up to my ankles in mud. Because of the welcome rains, the lot is very muddy so wear old shoes. Go and be in a better world that shines with the lovely light of life as the spirit flies through the air with the greatest of ease.

Peter Goers can be heard weeknights and Sundays on ABC Radio Adelaide.