Rustler Editorial

It is a circus and the show must go on 

After seeing a post about the circus coming to town later this month, it dawned on me what the coined phrase, “It is a circus,” really means (or at least what I think it means!).

I have taken my kids to the circus many times. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember a time it came to town that we did not attend. Our children have ridden elephants, camels, ponies and been audience participants more than once. So if you had asked me a few years ago what the phrase, “It’s a circus,” meant I would have said fun chaos. 

Now it has a whole new meaning. 

A few years ago, I decided I would carry on the circus tradition with my grandchildren and took them to the circus here in Basin. It started out just as all the others had. There were clowns and jugglers, animal acts and acrobatics. As we sat savoring our cotton candy, we were entertained by the talented crew. 

Not long into the acrobat act, there was a pair that seamlessly glided through the air on long ribbon type ropes. Their flexibility was admirable and made it look as if they were dancing in the air. That is until something went horribly wrong …

Some of you may have attended that show or heard about it from friends and already know the outcome but for those unaware and only think of “fun chaos” when someone states “It was a circus,” I will share what the crowd experienced that summer day.

As I stated before, the couple was suspended several feet above the ground twirling and dancing through the air on flowing ropes. Their skill and athleticism made it apparent they were not beginners and had complete confidence in each other. At one point, the female let go of the rope and was held only by her partners hands. 

As the couple swung around in a large circular motion, the male performer lost his grip. Without the support of her partner or a rope to grasp, the female performer was catapulted toward the ground and came to an abrupt stop as she met with the barrier that made up the circus ring. 

My grandchildren, the rest of the crowd and I looked on in awe. We were unsure at first if this was a stunt and part of the “fun chaos” but as people began rushing toward the injured performer, it soon became clear to all this was not part of the act. 

After what seemed like an eternity but was only a few minutes, emergency services arrived and transported the poor young woman to the hospital. Her coworkers did their best to calm themselves and reassure the crowd, but it was several minutes before the mood shifted and the show resumed. 

Thinking back now, it really was quite impressive how circus staff was able to collect themselves and go on to perform the rest of the show. It was a true testament to the saying “the show must go on.”

Fast forward to today when I hear that something is a circus, I do not just think fun chaos. Now I think fun chaos with a possibility someone could get hurt. I guess in the name of fun, most of us are willing to face a little danger because at the end of the day we all know no matter what happens the “show must go on.”