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In an era when traditional circuses are generally perceived as being in decline, a new Australian circus company, Hudsons Circus, is currently touring Queensland and northern NSW.

The Circus has been created by Shane and Nancy Lennon. Ringmaster Shane Lennon is a descendent of the original Lennon Brothers Circus while his wife Nancy is a trapeze artist from Canada.

Together they have drawn on their knowledge of international circus to put together a new touring show, which began performing on 27th December in Tweed Heads.

Explaining the establishment of a Circus, Shane Lennon recently stated "my family's history goes back 100 years in circus.

"My son Hudson, who the show is named after, is sixth generation in the circus industry, and is already starting to perform at two years.

"We're Australia's largest circus family and I had a different idea for a show...made up of a cast of people who have worked worldwide.

"We've come together to put on a world class tradition circus, something that is quite upmarket compared to your run of the mill circus."

The vibrant production, combining circus traditions with modern theatre features spectacular trapeze displays, the world's largest hula hoop performance,  heart-stopping performances by daredevil Ashley Brophy, as ‘Jack Sparrow’ on a tight-rope, while renowned aerial trapeze artist Clive Lotah, aged 79, performs a comedy skit on top of a 12 metre sway pole.

Shane Lennon also leads a performing animal act of four camels, two llamas and two water buffaloes.

In addition to its inaugural performances in Tweed Heads, Hudson’s Circus has performed at Ipswich Showgrounds and is currently at Marchant Park in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside.

A spokesperson for Circus Federation Australia congratulated the Lennons on their initiative, stating “(it shows that) traditional circus is alive and flourishing.”

Hudson’s Circus will mark World Circus Day on Saturday 19th April with circus workshops and animal education sessions.

World Circus Day is a global event, organised by the Federation Mondiale du Cirque (World Circus Federation) to celebrate circus arts and culture around the world.

Click here for more information on Hudsons Circus.

Click here for more information on World Circus Day.

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