Boasting an international lineup with over a 40 year history on the road, ringmaster Simon Tait said the circus is extending what was supposed to be a two week stay to a three week one after a kerfuffle with the Moscow Circus.

“We’d like to accommodate all those people who missed out on getting to see a circus. We’re going to honour those tickets for just $15 each on August 2 and August 9.” Mr Tait said. 

This year the circus has a theme, a dream sequence where a little boy is in bed and has the age old dream of running away to join the circus.” 

It seems Silvers circus has attracted people from all over the world after having the same dream, with members coming from Ethiopia, Switzerland, Argentina. Mr Tait’s experience is no different. 

“I joined when I was 21 years of age. I fell in love. I was drawn to an American clown who did a lot of mime. I’d just come out theatre school. I wanted to be a clown I grew from a clown and I morphed into a ring master.” he said.

Silvers Circus first began its journey in 1976, founded by Swiss immigrants. A number of the original family members still work in Silvers Circus, including Dominik Gasser, one of the wheel of steel performers.

“The circus has been evolving from the roman colosseums right up to modern day circus. We are more a human skill orientated circus. I use a few doves in one of my illusions- that’s as far as the animals go,  but it’s thrills and skills all the way,” Mr Tait said. 

“It was very very small. It has grown into Australia’s premiere circus, just voted one of the top 10 in the world recently.”

Mr Tait said lots of thrill and lots of skill are in store for the audience under the big top

“We’ve got the globe of death which involves three motorbikes. It’s only 3.5 metres wide and they’re traveling at up 60 kilometres an hour.” he said. 

Apart from the Globe of Death, the audience can also expect to see the Wheel of Steel, hoola hoops, roman rings, clowns, illusions, juggling, unicycling and aerial artistry. 

Silvers Circus opens on July 26 at Ballarat Showgrounds and finishes on August 13.

For more information or to book tickets, contact Ticketmaster on 136 100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au. 

The circus can also be contacted directly 0413 880 044 or 0413  844 241.