She’s got the moves, baby!
Aqua The Aussie Circus Spectacular has set up camp in Richards Bay over the past two weeks and the ZO caught up with some of the performers to share with readers what life in the circus entails
SHE says she was born to perform, sing and entertain and cannot imagine doing anything else.
British aerial silk performer Laura Dunn (29) grew up dancing and started taking it seriously at the age of just seven.
‘Even as a young child, I knew this was what I wanted to do.’
She pursued this goal and was soon performing professionally, before hearing about a circus in the USA that needed dancers.
‘I got the job, met my fiancé – who is a fourth generation circus performer from Mexico – and literally ran away with the circus,’ said Dunn.
She initially started off as a dancer, but when the resident aerial hammock performer for Dunn’s circus was badly injured, she knew she had to conquer her fear of heights and take her place.
‘So I trained hard for months and perfected the aerial silk act which I now present, coupled with dance.’
Baby on board
Though currently ten weeks pregnant, she has only slightly adjusted her act and changed her training schedule to stay safe.
‘I performed a number of long drops which ended with the silk wrapped tightly around my waist, so I have adjusted it to be less intense and more controlled.’
In training she focuses on stretching and staying flexible, and plans to perform up until the sixth month of her pregnancy.
‘The doctor gave me the all clear to act, but I do need to tone it down and remain careful.
‘The baby is due in September and both myself and my fiancé have signed a year deal with Aqua The Aussie Circus Spectacular – so our baby will be born on the road!
‘After the baby arrives we are moving back home to the ‘States, putting circus life on hold for a while to focus on our child.
‘We do one show a day during the week and two per day on weekends, but I can easily handle it for now.’
She has travelled to eight countries in her circus career and ranks South Africa as her second-favourite country in the world after New Zealand.
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