The World Sideshow Festival has been described as ‘circus’s dirtier cousin’. What do you think is so intriguing about the strange and the shocking?
People love seeing others take risks. It means they get the adrenalin rush without the danger. It’s why Nitro Circus is so popular and it’s why sideshow is so popular.
The circus originated in Ancient Rome. What has allowed the circus to survive through centuries, and how has it developed since its origins?
This is a big, deep question and I could write a thesis to answer it. The short answer is people will always need to be entertained and the entertainment has to change with the times, it has to reflect the society, it has to be relevant.
Can you tell us a little about some of your acts?
We have four Guinness World Record holders and records will be broken. We have world famous body-mod legend the Lizardman, and The Space Cowboy, who holds more records than any Australian ever. We have the Syndicate, featuring the world’s tallest contortionist, and Not Dead Yet, with Aerial Manx, the only man on the planet to perform sword swallowing and acrobatics at the same time.
Can you describe what you assume’ll be the general atmosphere of opening night?
Women in fur drinking warm gin punch will clutch the arms of their gentlemen and gasp as Aerial Manx performs stunts that will leave you astounded. Men from all walks of life will blush like schoolgirls at the erotic antics of Bam Bam. People may arrive unsure of what they are getting themselves into, but they will leave elated.
WORLD SIDESHOW FESTIVAL happens from May 21 till May 23 at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute.
