Australia’s oldest circus dynasty returns to Gold Coast big top for the first time in 25 years

From federation, to world wars and the Great Depression, the Ashtons have entertained generations of Aussies. Ned Kelly once watched the show. Now, after 25 years, they’re back on the Coast.

After two decades, Australia’s oldest circus family is back on the Gold Coast - and they’ve brought eight generations of adrenaline, aerials and family history with them.

For Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez, the woman at the helm of Ashton Entertainment, life under the big top is just another day at work - and raising a toddler in the ring is all part of the act.

Chantel's one-and-a-half year-old son is already involved in the family's circus. Images: Supplied.

Chantel's one-and-a-half year-old son is already involved in the family's circus. Images: Supplied.

“He’s already involved,” she laughed, speaking of her one-and-a-half-year-old son.

“He participates in the finale … which he loves. He comes in and waves at the crowd. It’s come quite natural for him – he likes the attention.”

It’s no surprise since Chantel herself was in the ring aged two, part of her family’s bareback riding act. She’s a sixth generation of the Ashton lineage to take the reins of the business.

Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez as a child. She's been performing in the ring since she was two-years-old. Picture: Supplied.

Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez performing with her father Brasil Rodriguez. Picture: Supplied.

Eight generations of big top entertainment

The Ashtons are the longest-running performing arts dynasty in the country - formed in the early 1800s.

Since then, the family has entertained through to federation, world wars and the Great Depression. They’ve crossed deserts and flooded rivers, drove over snow-covered mountains.

During World War II their transport equipment (trucks) were supplied to the government as part of the war effort.

In the 1800s, Ned Kelly was once an audience member.

They have performed before royalty in England and Europe.

Today, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th generations of the Ashton family are still on tour.

“Since then the business has grown and we’ve all opened up our own entertainment businesses – there’s eight generations now,” she said.

Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez 's mother Jan Ashton with Chantel's grandpop. Picture: Supplied.

Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez 's mother Jan Ashton. Picture: Supplied.

Circus founder, and Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez 's great great great grandfather James Henry Ashton. Picture: Supplied.

But Chantel’s circus roots run even deeper.

Chantel’s father is from a Spanish circus family, once part of Los Muchachos - Spain’s first circus school, born out of a utopian, youth-run city called Benposta.

Her parents met when Chantel’s maternal grandparents, the Ashtons brought over a troupe of Spanish circus performers.

“Lots of the Ashton girls met those Spanish boys. And they got married and stayed, so the next generation of Ashtons were all Spanish … some of them went back to Spain and others stayed with Ashton’s Circus.”

The show must go on

After giving birth a year and a half ago, Chantel was determined to return to the act quickly.

She was hula hooping six weeks post-partum and back in the air just four month post-partum.

“Throughout my pregnancy, I tried to stay as active as I can,” she said.

“It did take a while to get the core strength fully back. I did hula hoop about six weeks after the baby which I wouldn’t recommend now,” she laughed.

Circus performer, Chantel Rodriguez. Burton's Circus. February 2019

Chantel Rodriguez on the Russian Silks. Australia's oldest circus family performed at Gayndah Showgrounds on July 27, 2014. Photo Shirley Way.

“He was about four months, and I just did basic aerial, but I wasn’t at full strength. It took me about eight months after birth to feel like I could perform properly again.”

For Chantel, aerial acts, knife-throwing and trapeze are where her passion lies.

“For aerial and things like that you do have to have a lot of strength and flexibility and stamina to do as many shows as we do each week.”

Back on the Gold Coast for the first time in decades

Hand Balancer Tiffany-Lee Field shows her skill at Ashtons Circus at Broadwater Parklands during the school holidays. Picture Glenn Hampson

This week marks the first time the Ashtons have performed on the Gold Coast since the early 2000s.

“It’s been quite a while since we were here so we’re really excited to be back,” Chantel said.

“It’s one of our favourite places to show and everyone is looking forward to our days off and catching all the sites.”

The show is a spectacle of high-flying acrobatics, jaw-dropping stunts, and classic circus charm with their motorbike finale.

The Ashton family circus kicks off Friday June 26 at Broadwater Parklands.

Originally published as Australia’s oldest circus dynasty returns to Gold Coast big top for the first time in 25 years