BROWNIES had big shoes to fill as they performed circus tricks with the world’s top circus performers.
The 2nd and 4th Rastrick Brownies rolled up to the Big Top to clown around with the Moscow State Circus as it performs in Halifax.
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And the young Brownies juggled, hula-hooped and wire walked their way around the circus tent.
The skills they learned have also helped them achieve their performance Brownie badge too.
Paul Archer, tour director of the Moscow State Circus, said: “The Brownies had a great time and we enjoyed having them.
“They tried everything from ground acrobatics to juggling.
“We had clowns painting their faces and they saw our circus performers in action.”
And despite the young Brownies being a hit in the circus ring they have some way to go to match the team of the Moscow State Circus – who train for four years before they perform to the public.
Paul, a professional juggler who used to work with lions and tigers, explained: “In the first year of training they’re taught all areas of circus skills from wire walking to acrobatics and juggling.
“In years two and three they will specialise – if they want to become a juggler they’ll do six, seven or eight hours practice a day.
“In the fourth year they’ll put together an act with choreography and dance.”
And it’s at that point they’ll face the toughest judges of all – their peers.
The circus trainees will perform in front of a panel of the world’s top former circus performers who will decide if they’re good enough to perform with the Moscow State Circus in public.
“It’s a sought after profession, we accept people only from Moscow and in Russia they’re seen in the pages of Hello and OK magazines alongside film stars,” Paul added.
“It’s the most prestigious circus in the world and people know when they come to see us they will get the best.”
The Moscow State Circus dates back to 1921 and was founded in the Soviet period with every region having its own state-funded circus.
Moscow State Circus is at Savile Park until Sunday.
