Over the weekend, I did a first. I went to the circus. In real life. The Moscow State Circus came to Oxford and I went to see it. In fact, I should admit that I spent much of the previous week talking about the circus, wondering what it would be like and what I might see. I was almost giddy with excitement as I passed through the entrance flaps and under the big top. Yeah!
And for two hours, I was dazzled and amazed. I laughed, I clapped, I whistled and I shouted with excitement. I was even frightened by some of the high-wire acts. I had a great time.
As I left the circus, I considered my expectations versus the reality of the circus. I have to say that I believe Hollywood gave me false hopes. There certainly weren’t three rings, nor were there elephants, lions, tigers or bears; nor were there a dozen clowns running everywhere. The Moscow State Circus was more intimate, more personal and less Hollywood. Whether or not my expectations were realistic is probably debatable, but I did feel a wee bit of resentment towards the movie industry.
Hollywood is about creating fantasy – the fantasy of a circus free from the suing culture, free from the fear of occupational injury and careers that end abruptly, free from exploitation of performers by owners (hence all the laughing jokers and performers) and free from the ‘elfin safety’ culture which makes a trapeze act require 6 ambulances on stand-by.
You chose to go and do a check against reality. What did you expect?
@ Shefaly – Hollywood is also about nursing dreams, fostering nostalgia for yesteryear and preserving fairy tales. I guess that’s the side of Hollywood I was looking to in the build-up to my trip to the circus.
@ Liam
I agree. But then you want to see CdS’s Quidam 🙂
{Although the seats were offered to me at £110 a pop … That is more expensive than a pair of Tod’s!)
@ Liam – I was disappointed to hear that the circus, while entertaining was not all that you had hoped for. While I can not recall any actual trips to a circus, I would think that I would find the entire experience to be distasteful. I do not like clowns, smelly animals, carnival food or freaks.
From your email, perhaps my understanding of the circus is also off mark, but I think I am unlikely to ever attend in the hopes of proving myself wrong.
@ Shefaly – I’ve been tempted to try to see CdS, but then I’ve always been put off by the astronomical price of the ticket. Seems ridiculously overpriced to me. (What’s a pair of Tod’s?)
@ Mark – That’s just it: no animals, no carnival food, no freaks. Not what I had been ‘trained’ to expect. That said, I really enjoyed the circus. It was fun. It was exciting – just not what I expected.
@ Liam
Tod’s is a brand of expensive but very comfortable and long-lasting shoes. I tend to compare everything with them.. :-/
I agree £110 is very overpriced. Esp considering I sat in the exact same seats for Joan Baez for £60 just last week. Heresy!
@ Shefaly – £60 for Baez is an infinitely better deal. I read about that show on your blog. Is it wrong that I was jealous of you?
As for Tod’s, I am a Crocs guy in rain, shine, snow or hail. Although I liked the look of Tod’s winter boots.
@ Liam:
I don’t think it is wrong that you were jealous 🙂 Many were. At least you admit it!
I have never made acquaintance of Crocs. I work from home so if you remember the slippers post, I wear no footwear at home 😉
@ Shefaly – Thanks for allowing me my vice of jealousy. I feel better now. Ha-ha!
Crocs are the perfect indoor, outdoor, slipper-esque, wellie-esque shoes in the world. I thoroughly recommend them.