Roll up, roll up, for a magical show
It is obvious from Ms Allison's letter on the Great British Circus (Mailbox, April 28) that she was never taken to see a traditional animal circus as a child, or she would know the magic of the circus is a show that, once seen by a child, is never forgotten.
A circus relying on human skills is only a poor parody of a circus. Something is missing – the animals! Feeling low with severe arthritis, I went to see the show and came out feeling glad to be alive.
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Thank you, Mr Lacey, for bringing the traditional animal circus back to Leicester again.
I recommend everyone to take this chance to see the unique show before it goes on May 10.
Miss Lynda Johnson, Leicester.
4 Comments
by Susan Eppel, Leicester
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 11:51AM
“I'm glad that Lynda Johnson came out of the circus feeling glad to be alive - that's OK then is it? but I wonder what the elephants and tigers felt not being able to express their views so clearly.
Miss Johnson's letter refers to the magic of a circus in childhood but things have moved on since then - wild species such as tigers and elephants were not threatened or endangered then and now we do not have too many of these magnificent creatures left.
It is not human skills that are a poor parody of a circus but the use of animals of this magnitude is, reduced to performing and not being allowed to act out their natural behaviour. You can hardly let out tigers for a run on green public space!
These animals do not have a voice but they do have rights to to behave and be the species they are: wild animals, not performing demeaning and repetitive tricks for a voyeuristic public.
Rather than continuing with this draconian practice just to thrill a few individuals I hope that the UK and the EU has the sense to finally ban circuses in the 21st century, that use animals in this way.”
by Katie Franks, Braunstone Town, Leicester
Tuesday, May 05 2009, 10:31AM
“I am appalled by L Johnsons' comments regards the cruel show that she calls "magic".
On the particular day you went to the 'show' you say you were "feeling low with severe arthritis, (I) went to see the show and came out feeling glad to be alive" - consider this, do you think the animals ever feel 'low' and just want to be left alone, do you ever think their joints ache from performing unnatural routines their bodies are not designed to do? Do you think they are depressed with the monotonus life of travelling in cages in an unnatural habitat?
And when they're feeling down, do they get a day off or a man with a whip forcing them to perform so you can "feel glad to be alive".
You may argue this is traditional, in that case lets bring back hanging.”
by Paul, Houghton
Monday, May 04 2009, 12:15PM
“I am glad that your suffering is eased at the expense of these wonderful animals being forced to complete unnatural task. Living unsuitable accommodation”
by D, Leicestershire
Monday, May 04 2009, 10:48AM
“Ah, 'traditional'. So that's alright then.”