Circus rolls up into Southampton

12:23pm Friday 4th April 2008

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By Ash Bolton »

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FOR the performers living under the big red top it is the best way in the world to make a living.

That is the view from the jugglers, trapeze artists, clowns and acrobats from the Bulgarian State Circus that rolled into Southampton this week.

A total of 15 performers including a number from Mongolia, Kazakhstan and the UK vow to put on a show filled with death defying stunts, aerial displays and of course some traditional comical clown capers.

Among the acts is Rusty Russell who has been running the Bulgarian State Circus for the last four years.

Rusty, 43, said: "I've been a circus clown all my life. It's a hard way to make a living but there's nothing better in life than making people laugh.

"We put on a show a few years ago in Nottingham for disabled children about half an hour after my Nan had died. I was feeling quite upset but seeing the smiles on the children's faces after the show was worth it."

According to Rusty, one of the best parts of the job is the travelling around the world.

He said: "From one day to the next we don't know which country we are going to be in next.

So far we have travelled to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Spain, the Canary Islands, France, The Caribbean and Malta.

"I started off as a clown and became a trapeze artist for a while but I would always try and add comedy to my routines. So I became a clown again and stuck with what I was good at."

The acts include swinging trapeze artist Miss Zoya, Bippo the clown, Benjamin the juggler and the sensational Munkh acrobatic troupe from Mongolia.

Rusty added: "Travelling with a circus is much like living in a large family. Everyone takes turns babysitting the younger members of everyone's families and chip in with everyday chores.

"I wouldn't swap it for any other job in the world."

See today's Daily Echo for a great two-for-one ticket offer for the circus this weekend.