The old adage ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’ served seven-year-old Thuy Franks well at Friday’s Circus Gatti performance.
After being called down from the audience by Leo the Clown to help with an act, Franks received her simple, if difficult instruction: shoot a blow dart at a balloon on top of the clown’s head a la William Tell. Or so it seemed, at least.
First try — right in Leo’s left eye.
Second shot — smack dab in the clown’s backside as he was walking back into position.
But after the clown danced around, acting as though he was in great pain, he got back into position and on the third attempt, the balloon popped. Whether or not the darts truly existed, Franks was proud of her moment in the spotlight.
“I shot the first time and hit his eye, then I hit his bum. The third time I hit it. I liked popping the balloon!” exclaimed Franks.
Franks’ adventure took place during the first of two Circus Gatti performances on Friday. The California-based group is travelling across North America touring its show ‘Shazoom,’ doing four more Saskatchewan shows and one in Alberta in the coming days before returning south of the border.
The stands were nearly full during the first performance at the Golden Mile Arena at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. Those in attendance got to see acrobats swinging many feet above the arena floor on ropes, sheets and hoops and a number of animal acts including horses, dogs, and donkeys. In one of the acts, two dogs sporting Superman capes climbed ladders and jumped off into the hands of a performer.
There were also cowgirl hoop dancers and a plate spinning demonstration. Leo the Clown continuously had the crowd laughing as he went about riding (and falling off of) bikes, demonstrating the ‘clown fu’ martial arts technique, and causing mischief.
At the intermission of the two-hour performance, attendees had the chance to get photographed holding a snake or sitting on a donkey. An inflatable slide and a face painting booth were also set up.
The event was sponsored by the Moose Jaw Police Athletic Club.
Myles Fish can be reached at 691-1263
