LIFE with a travelling circus isn’t for everyone, but Webers Circus co-owner Natalie Weber couldn’t imagine anything else.
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“We’ve [she and her husband Rudy] always been in the touring business and the circus is really the love of our life,” Ms Weber said.
“For probably the next 20 years I don’t see myself settling down in a house.
“I’m sixth generation, my kids are seventh generation and my grandchildren are eighth generation on the show now.”
Ms Weber, her three daughters and husband are all performers in the show, A Touch of the Wild West.
“I’ve always taught them acts and things. They went to school with our travelling teacher in case they ever want to do anything else – but they do really grow to love performing,” she said.
But, it seems no one is immune to the lure of the circus.
Even the teacher has taken up an aerial act, her husband the Wheel of Death.
The family-run circus really is all hands on deck. Mr Weber built the ticket boxes, seating and sets up the Big Top – but everybody helps out.
The circus took a year off to plan the latest show, A Touch of the Wild West.
“It really does take a long time to plan it, but I’ve got daughters that help me get stuck into creating costumes – even our office lady gets going,” Ms Weber said.
“In this show there’s a lot of variety. There’s the Wheel of Death, the Russian Swing – but there’s also lots of traditional acts, like the hula hoops, clowns, miniature ponies and dogs.
“We don’t get any complaints of anyone being bored.”
In searching for new characters for the circus, Ms Weber said there’s an element of show business that cannot be taught.
“Some people just can’t do some things, it’s just not in them to do it,” she said.
“We pick what people are going to be good at and we help them try to develop their skills.
“There definitely is training, but there’s a natural ability that makes the roles easier.”
When asked to describe the circus in three words Ms Weber said, “a good lifestyle”.