Written 2 weeks ago by Angel Croitor

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Did you know that the world’s oldest continuing touring circus is from right here in Ireland?

The performers spoke to Midlands 103’s Jillian Bannon about the history of the troupe, the glamour of the stage, and the hard work behind the scenes to set up their spectacular show.

“I love it all – the life, the people, the different towns!” – Pip

Pip has done it all in the circus scene. She’s performed as a flying trapeze artist, aerial artist, magicians assistant, and juggling to name just a few. She ran away with the circus in South America and when she came back over to England she trained as a professional dancer. Her love for the circus life drew her back and she hasn’t left ever since.

Currently she is part of a two person act where three dogs are supposed to do tricks for the audience but end up making fools of the performers as part of the act. Pip met her current boyfriend, who created the dog act, whilst travelling with the circus in Holland. It goes to show you there’s more to the circus than just performing.

Edward Fossett, Otto the clown, grew up in the circus family. During the show he is in the ring pulling gags and keeping the audience as happy as can be. After the show is done and dusted and the patrons have all gone home Otto turns back into Edward and is hollering about the place to set up for the next show or to wrap up for the night.

“I like to keep things a little bit traditional as well but then I also like to do some new things – some things that are a little bit different that you wouldn’t normally see a clown doing.” – Edward Fossett

“I say at the beginning of the show – leave your troubles behind as we take you into the magical world of circus.”

Ring Mistress Marion Fossett is a fourth generation circus performer. She is proud of the troupe’s record of being the “oldest continuously touring circus in the entire world”. The circus was founded by her great grandfather who came from County Cork. They travel the entire 32 counties and she says it’s very difficult just to move them about the place. Their acts range mostly of Irish performers but they also bring in European performers to add the variety to the their show.

Marion left the circus to follow her passion of singing. She sang for 26 years and sang in the Eurovision contest 1981 as part of a trio called “Sheeba” for Ireland. Following that she came on as RTE TV show called The Big Top Show. After the last season she was on she came on as Fossett’s Circus’ Ring Mistress and has been there ever since!

The dates for the midlands can be found here: https://www.fossettscircus.com/dates/

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