Need I drop the names of landmark stars such as Con or Winnie Colleano? He on the low wire, she on the single trap. Or how about, oh say, only the very first flyer ever to turn the quad? That would be Russian diva Lena Jordan. Yes, a woman. Yes, Down Under. For a feat that extraordinary, the setting should thereafter hold credit for the sacred act.
You can see the Seven compelling Ashtons on a You Tube I just came upon. I marveled at the pace and zip of he act, of the interesting exploits in a flow of action, and of the great cutting-up of one or two of the younger set. Snazzy posturing for the fun of it. Props and People continuously in motion, and we of a certain class want our circuses continually in motion right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmCaHe8zAO0
As well, the band scored them spot on. These acts remind me of the primal appeal of true circus, un-burdened or watered down by the imposition of "theme" or "character arc". Here, the family are the characters, and what a singular joy they are to watch at work.
Australia could well claim its own share of ring stars. A far cry from the experimentally rich, if tame in that vein Circus Oz. It has now gone under, Down Under, massively in debt, and yet refusing the control of others in order to quality for additional government funding.
I first saw the marvelous Ashtons on the Polack show in the 1950s
Enjoy-- and Believe!
1 comment:
Interesting factiod: Ashtons are descended from the original Australians. James Henry Ashton was transported from England as a convict for stealing a broach. It didn't take much. But, he escaped the original death sentence he'd received for his crime.
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