No generation gap when it comes to circus tricks

SEVENTY-eight year old CIRCUS veteran Lorraine Ashton has been sharing ed some of the secrets of the trade with ten year old Zara Bruce at the Alstonville Show.

Lorraine Ashton and Zara Bruce of The Channon learning the art of circus performance at the Alstonville Show. Photo Cathy Adams / The Northern Star. Picture: Cathy Adams

SEVENTY-eight year old CIRCUS veteran Lorraine Ashton has been sharing ed some of the secrets of the trade with ten year old Zara Bruce at the Alstonville Show.

Her message is simple: Connect with your audience and you will keep them entertained.

"Without an audience, it's just practice," Ms Ashton said, the star of Lorraine Ashton's Circus, one of the world's oldest circuses.

"They are your bosses, they pay your wages, and you need to show them respect."

One of Ms Ashton's students is 10-year-old Zara Bruce, from The Channon.

"I've been enjoying (learning) new skills and practising my performance and communication," said Zara, who is also a member of React Circus.

"I'm also liking all my friends supporting me." Zara's mother Rena Woolbank said it wasn't all fun and games.

Her daughter had been putting in a lot of effort.

"It's hard work," Ms Woolbank said.

"Zara's been doing three shows a day and helping with workshops. 

"The value of the lessons would be worth thousands of dollars, and Lorraine is here offering to help everybody and anybody," Ms Woolbank said.

For Ms Ashton, the magic of the circus is in its appeal to people of all ages - it is a show for everyone.

Alstonville Show continues tomorrow with horse, cattle, poultry and woodchop events, plus the bullride and fireworks.

Saturday's events

• 8am: Horse events
• 9am: Cattle judging
• 9am: Poultry viewing and judging
• 10am: Woodchop heats
• 3pm: Bullride
• 8pm: Fireworks

For more information see alstonvilleshow.net