,Circus a fun family affair

As the caravans and trucks rolled into town last week and the big top went up, whispers and excitement of the circus arriving grew.

The oldest circus in Australia, now led by Joseph Ashton, has a long family history, spanning seven generations and 160 years.

Circus Joseph Ashton does everything from acts with horses and dogs to the wheel of death and skills that founder Mr Ashton insists you won’t see anywhere else.

“My grandfather only ever stopped the circus for World War II,” he said.

“We have to be smarter with the economy now. We operate with a smaller crew but a bigger show and we stay longer in each spot, which means it is an easier life.

“We’re a small family but can do world-class acts that only a couple of people in the world can do.”

Performing on weekends, the Ashton family conduct maintenance, do circus training and paperwork during the week before creating the magic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The tight-knit crew perform 48 weeks of the year, spending December at the family property in Beverley or take off for a holiday.

“Everything we do is aimed towards families and children,” Mr Ashton said. “The Rockingham audience is great. They love it and if they didn’t, we wouldn’t come back.”

At the start of the show, the audience will be treated to original black-and-white home movies from Mr Ashton’s grandparents’ time, highlighting the family’s history in circus.

Mr Ashton was born into the circus and never left.

Originally a part of his grandfather’s circus, he made the difficult decision to branch out on his own as there were enough family members for three circuses all rolled into the one.

“Circus is in my blood — 160 years, it’s quite incredible that it’s managed to go that long,” Mr Ashton said.

“We do have a good time but there is blood, sweat and tears, too.”

Mr Ashton’s sons, wife, sisters, nieces and nephews all star in the show as he passes the skills down to the next generation, with Zeeva Ashton the youngest performer, aged five.

At its peak in the 60s, the Ashton Circus had four elephants, 25 lions and tigers, zebras and giraffes and more than 40 family members.

Circus Joseph Ashton is in town for another three weeks.

For more information, visit www.circusjosephashton.com.au or contact 0411 302 095.