Dancing cows milk applause

ROLL up, roll up – the circus is coming to town, but not without controversy.

Circus Royale head trainer Robin Howell with his performing cows and pony Lobo. Picture: Contributed

ROLL up, roll up - the circus is coming to town, but not without controversy.

The show will be setting up the big top at the Ipswich Showgrounds from March 7 to 18.

The circus will see cattle, dogs, ponies and camels taking to the stage, despite a 2009 ban on exotic animals performing placed on all council-owned land in an attempt to discourage use of circus animals.

The showgrounds are not council-owned.

The Circus Royale has been touring the state, with Ipswich the final stop in Queensland before moving the show to South Australia.

Circus owner Damien Syren said the show would provide entertainment for people of all sorts.

"This is real circus, the way we remember it from our childhood," he said.

"It's big, exciting and wonderful family entertainment.

"There is something for everyone to enjoy."

One of the Circus Royale's more unusual attractions is its three performing black and white cows.

The cattle travel in a purpose built semi-trailer, which also holds the circus' geese, goats, camels, llamas, horses and ponies.

Circus Royale head trainer Robin Howell said the cattle were a unique attraction.

"Circus Royale is the first to include performing animals of the bovine variety in its line-up," he said.

"They are a unique attraction."

Mr Howell said the multi-talented waltzing and dancing Friesians had so far been a hit with patrons, especially farmers.

"Now when I drive down the road and see farmers with their cows I look at them in a completely different light."

The cattle will be joined by dogs, camels and horses as well as acrobats and clowns.

Also on display will be Australia's only man in a bottle and daredevil Columbian motorcyclists in the Globe of Death.

The steel globe is just four metres wide and motorbikes are manoeuvred around the cage at speeds of up to 80kmh.

Originally published as Dancing cows milk applause