Circuses have changed a lot since Bert Weber's family started in the business six generations ago in the 1800s.
The owner of Loritz Circus reinvents his shows often enough that no town will ever see the same one twice – for their “slow-moving” circus, which comes by every four to six years.
His family has adapted to changing cultures, attitudes and technology and found new ways to keep their crowds entertained and performers happy.
“It's all different today, we don't do away with the modern cons – we've got everything what you could have in a house, you know in a caravan: TV, fax machine, all the latest gadgets,” the septuagenarian said.
“It's not saying 'Oh the poor circus people', it's a lifestyle.”
There were days when you could expect an “Out of Africa” circus show to feature monkeys and lions, but the only animals travelling with Loritz are shetland ponies.
The ponies play a small part in the show; the stars are a world class juggler, a head trapeze artist and a group of Kenyans on perhaps the ultimate working holiday.
For a few hours a day, six days a week, they perform athletic displays to appreciative children and parents, then they are free to explore their surrounds.
performer Peter Ngigi said, “It's a good lifestyle, you get to see the country, you get to see many of the people, the diversity and everything. It's cool.”
The six 20-somethings have been performing together for 14 years, since they were children. This is their fourth year in Australia doing the Out of Africa show, after touring it for two years in New Zealand.
Three are brothers, but all have formed a family bond as they travel to remote towns for 49 weeks a year. They head home to Kenya each year for the three-week Christmas break.
In cities they find the African shops to stock up on staples from home.
They have another six weeks to indulge in the diversity of Canberra, moving next to Gunghalin then onto Monash.
Weber says they are "brilliant" to tour with, an important factor when there are only 26 in the circus, including six kids; three of whom perform.
His 11-year-old granddaughter is one of them.
Her impressive hula hooping took her to the US as a six year old to appear on Oprah as "one of the most talented kids in the world". She was spotted by the show's producers after making the final of New Zealand's Got Talent.
"A-M-E-R-I-C-U-S" she says when asked to clarify the spelling of her name.
“Circus kids can spell too,” her grandfather pointed out with a smile. “That wasn't always the way.”
It's school holidays now, but next week their teacher will return to the tour and it will be business as usual for the circus kids.
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