Aerialize Instructor – Catherine Daniel who worked with Lennon Brother’s Circus for 8 months 2006-2007.

Lennon Brothers is a traditional Australian Family Circus that still has animals in their shows.

What were your roles at the circus?
I was a performer at the circus on the silks, Spanish web and flying trapeze. I also served in the canteen and helped put the tent up and take it down.

Where did you travel to?
I joined the show near Newcastle and traveled through country NSW to Brisbane. From Brisbane I enjoyed the “Northern run”, past a lot of sugar cane all the way to Cairns.

What new things did you learn?
I learnt how to play to all different types of audiences, some were really responsive and others fairly quiet.

Major highlights.
Putting new tricks into my silks and web routines especially ones where the audience would respond with oohs and ahhs. Visiting the islands off the Queensland coast on our days off.

What did you like best about working with a traditional circus?
I enjoyed the social aspect of always having a friend next door. Traveling from one town to the next, seeing the country side. Performing at least 6 shows a week and 13 in school holidays.

Tips for aspirants.
Train hard, pick a good costume and some good music that gets the crowd going. Put together spectacular tricks which you’re really confident with. Boys the more muscle the better, girls the more sparkles the better.

Anything you missed.
Being on the road away from home I missed my friends and family, but everyone at the circus becomes like your family.

New experiences.
When I first joined I saw the goat getting into some feed it shouldn’t be eating. (She often wandered about in less populated towns until her yard went up.) I tried to stop her so she charged at me, frightened I jumped a fence and she was brought into line by a loud and deep “Get out of there.” from the lion tamer.
I loved the animals, but I wasn’t the best with them, when I took the smallest horse for a swim, everyone joked she took me for a walk. Considering she dragged me into the water, getting my shorts and T-shirt wet I suppose they were right.