Lot of aerial acts under big top
Animatronics, motorbikes and classic trapeze will all take place under a big top in Timaru.
Returning to New Zealand for the first time in 20 years, the Moscow Circus will open on Arthur St, opposite Ara, on Thursday night.
‘‘The whole thing is a unique production,’’ circus content creator Brooke Christiansen said.
‘‘We’ve got animatronics at the start, which is not a usual thing in the circus,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ve got things like the Sky Bike, which is where a bike runs around a track right at the top of the tent with an aerialist hanging off the other end; we’ve got the Globe of Death, which is a big circle cage with motorbikes riding round on the inside; we’ve got a lot of aerial acts like your classic trapeze, and also modern things that people wouldn’t have seen before.’’
Christiansen said while most circuses would have one or two big acts, the Moscow Circus has six and more acts are constantly being developed.
‘‘At the moment we’ve just added three new acts in the last month, it’s forever changing.’’
She said performers are usually travelling about 11 months of the year with time off for Christmas, meaning it is a big commitment.
‘‘It’s a lifestyle choice but it’s quite cool because a lot of people have their families travelling with them so you see quite a few kids running around.’’
She said this contributes to the family atmosphere crowds enjoy.
‘‘People probably think ‘oh circus, we’ll take the kids out’, but it is definitely something the whole family can enjoy from all ages.’’
The big top, 20 metres at its highest point, seats up to 1000 and is usually full, Christiansen said.
There are a number of evening and matinee performances in Timaru until February 16. Tickets start from $25 for adults and $15 for children and are available from www.iticket.co.nz.