The Suarez Family Circus has finally returned to the shores of Guyana. If my memory serves me right, the last time they were here they left a memorable impression on the Guyanese public, and also left many persons wanting more. This time they came with a show that is even bigger and better than last time. The Suarez Family Circus is hardly a new phenomenon since the circus came into being in the year 1872! With 135 years of experience you can be sure to expect a wonderful and entertaining presentation from skilled performers. Despite the years that have passed, the management of the circus has still remained within the Suarez family.
Under the management of Ivan Suarez, the circus comes to the capital after creating ripples in Berbice. Although they recently came from Berbice it was hardly their first show for the year. Prior to coming to Guyana they graced the shores of over 15 countries including the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Curacao, Aruba, Canada and Dominica. With this level of international exposure the Guyanese public can expect sheer professionalism, and the best performance possible.
The opening night was a spectacle of performances that will be repeated throughout their stint in
Georgetown. The first performance of the evening was a balancing act. A man, accompanied by two beautiful ladies, came out to the center of the big tent. The attendants brought out a pole about 10 ft. long and the man proceeded to balance the pole on his forehead while one of the models climbed the pole to the top and then did a handstand. Remember that all this happened while the man still balanced the pole on his forehead without the assistance of cables! I remember thinking “this dude must drink a lot of milk, because his neck must be really strong.” The same was repeated by the second female. She did an acrobatic show on the pole balancing on the man’s head. This was an excellent way to kick off the show.
Immediately following was a clown who came out and started selecting members from the crowd to be involved in a game. He selected both male and female, of all ages to participate. He led them to the center of the tent and gave each of them a bell and instructed them to ring it when he pointed to them. This was particularly entertaining because some of the people didn’t quite understand the point of the game until it got going. There was this one girl who was dancing with the clown and kicked her shoe into the crowd. This was a great way to build the audience’s anticipation even more.
Following this was a man who performed tricks on a bicycle. He did some things on the bicycle that I did
not know were humanly possible. He did some things we all tried at some time or the other while learning to ride; things like riding backwards and balancing on the handle while the bike is still moving. The only difference between us and him was he was successful at all the stunts he did. And just when you thought his performance was over a pedestal was brought out. The man placed his bicycle on this pedestal and proceeded to perform some more near impossible tricks. There was one low point in his performance when he fell off his bicycle. This did not discourage him though; he just got up, put his bike back on the pedestal and proceeded to complete his trick. He fit his entire body through the frame of the bicycle while still balancing it on the pedestal. This was a fete to watch and was almost unbelievable. He then proceeded to offer US$1000 to a young man in the crowd if he could ride a bicycle. The bicycle was unlike the ordinary,it was the world’s smallest bicycle. The young man tried but his efforts were futile. After two failed attempts, the performer proved to us that it was indeed possible to ride “the world’s smallest bicycle!”
Next in line was “The hoola hoop lady.” She was not satisfied with one hoop, she spun three one time; beginning with all three around her waist she skillfully moved one up to her neck then one down to her feet. After this impressive display she took it to another level by being hoisted into the air while still spinning the hoops. This was especially pleasing to the crowd gathered. Just when you though she was finished the attendants brought out a giant hoop which almost took over the entire center of the tent. Unbelievable as it may seem she somehow managed to spin that giant hoop despite her size. This was quite entertaining to watch. Another clown came out to interact with the crowd in order to let those in attendance know that they were as much a part of the show as the actual circus team.
Immediately following the clown’s exit a trainer brought out the giraffe. This was much to the surprise and
amazement to those in attendance, most of whom have never seen a giraffe other than on television. This was especially nice for the children. Some children were selected from the gathering to offer the giraffe food. They were placed at various points in the big tent as the animal went around eating from the children’s hands. This was a very special and memorable event in the lives of many, if not all, the children present.
The clown once again came out in order to distract the crowd as the crew set the stage for the next performance. The next act was another acrobatic display, but this one had a twist. The female performer had a short pole, about a foot long, brought out with mouthpiece attachment. She then proceeded to bite into the mouthpiece, and then letting her hands leave the platform and her butt touching the back of her head, she proceeded to spin with just her mouth holding her up! She must have some strong teeth; I wonder what toothpaste she used? There was then a period of intermission where patrons were given an opportunity to purchase refreshments from the concession stands. There was also a booth where patrons could purchase souvenirs that would remind them of the circus.
During intermission the staff took the opportunity to set up the cage that was used in the next act. When
the music resumed and the lights brightened there was quite a pleasurable and wonderful sight to behold. There, standing in the middle of the cage was a man holding a bullwhip and surrounded by 8 tigers -3 white and 5 golden- Bengal tigers! They were on stools placed around the inside of the cage and were patiently awaiting their trainer’s instructions. If you want to know what he had the tigers doing be sure to visit the Suarez Family Circus at the Softball Ground on Carifesta Avenue.
Next was the tight rope. There were two men high above the crowd without any straps to keep them from falling, or safety nets to catch them if they did, walking across a tight rope using only a long metal pole to keep their balance. This had the crowd in a tense mode enjoying the show while at the same time hoping they did not fall. Then one other man walked on a tight wire that started in the crowd and went all the way to the top of the tent. There was a moment while he was near the top when he lost his balance which had the crowd uneasy and just a little fearful. This was not all, however, they took the stunt to another level using bicycles that had just rims to ride across 30 ft of cable wire with nothing other than long poles to help them keep balance. Picture these two guys on bicycles connected by a steel rod and another guy on the steel rod connecting the two on a bicycle and staying on a wire suspended no less than 30 ft in the air. This mind boggling stunt was performed with perfection.
Following their display the clown once again tried to distract the crowd as the attendants set up a huge iron ball at the center of the big tent with seating capacity of 2000 or more persons. After the clown had done
his thing there was time for just one more act. There was the smell of gasoline mixed with smoke then the loud roar of two dirt bikes coming from the back of the tent. In a few seconds two performers rode out on the bikes. They proceeded to enter the cage and rode dangerously fast and close to each other without crashing. When your racing heart thought it was over another bike entered the tent and was admitted to the cage. These bikes somehow had enough room in the circular cage to ride around without crashing into each other. Just when you thought 3 bikes in a cage were enough for you to handle, 2 more bikes entered the cage! By then, I was thinking “somebody’s going to have to be carried out of this situation,” since from my standpoint there was no way all 5 of these bikes could move in that ball without a collision. Well I was wrong because they accomplished this unforgettable task effortlessly.
This was the final act of the evening. The show closed as all the performers returned to the stage followed by the riders, two of whom carried the Mexican and Guyanese flags respectively. This was the most fitting way to end such a wonderful and memorable event. Be sure to check out the Suarez Family Circus. And for exclusive pictures from the circus be sure to check out our galler.
By Andrew Ross