Dulce Vital (Aguilar)
Larry Stout The Royal Hanneford Circus opens in
Dayton OH for the Antioch Shrine
by Doug Kruest with photos as attributed
“First of May”? Not anymore. How about a “First of January” or a
“First of February”?
All three Ringling shows open with the new year. The Royal
Hanneford Circus, under the primary direction of Billy Martin,
begins its season on the first weekend of February.
The 2015 Hanneford season opened as the 73rd Edition of the
Antioch Shrine Circus with five performances on February 6th
through the 8th. This year they rolled out the red carpet, literally.
The underlayment is now red instead of black giving the show a
Ringmaster Billy Martin and his Martin-ettes
photo by John Wells
brighter look from the ground up to the Barbette-esk aerial acts
costumed by Angela Martin and her sewing crew.
Our group of Barnes-Larabee Tent fans visited the show on the
second performing day of the season and the show ran like it had
been on the road for weeks. We were fortunate to purchase seats
at the same level as the aerial acts and saw those acts close-up.
Some of us enjoyed the show so much we returned for another
performance which we viewed from a corner of the arena floor. In
between we had a great time at the nearby Spaghetti Warehouse
photo by Howard Pace
photo by Howard Pace
photo by Howard Pace
The Princess of the Sea – Dulce Vital
which was graciously
hosted by Fred Pfening
III.
Once past the Shrine
punctilio, singing
ringmaster Billy Martin
and his Martin-ettes put
the audience in a circus
mood.
The LED lighting
quickly moved to the
first display which came
to us from the center
ring steel arena where
Vicenta Pages treated us
to a smoothly performed
presentation of the
Pages’ family tigers.
Without missing a beat
of musician Larry Stout’s
accompaniment, the
America’s Show Camels presented by Ian Garden, Jr.
photo by Jan Sopelak
photo by Howard Pace
Castle’s Bears with Tepa Hall
photo by Jan Sopelak
Kevin Sadrak
photo by Jan Sopelak
Royal Hanneford presents 40th Anniversary Show
White Plains NY
Vicenta Pages
photo by Paul Gutheil
by Ken Sopelak with photos as attributed
lighting moved to the high wire performance of the four member
Lopez family. It was then back to the floor for three rings of hula
hoop artistry. It was a 1-2-3 opening that would have made Tommy
and Struppi proud.
Not only was the show well put together technically, the acts
were top notch. The impressive Duo Fusion, Virginia Tuells and
Ihosvanys (aka Giovani) Perez, came from Ringling and Circus
Krone tours. Vicenta and the Lopez family were also on recent
Ringling tours. Note, this is not to say any of the other acts was a
dog. (No, no dog act.) However, animals were well represented with
Ryan Henning’s America’s Show Camels presented by Ian Garden,
Jr., Castle’s Bears presented by Jimmy and Tepa Hall, Carson &
Barnes elephants presented by Chip Arthurs and the previously
mentioned tigers.
The McIntyres
24
theil
photo by Paul Gu
The Royal Hanneford Circus celebrated 40 years of performing at
the Westchester County Center, White Plains NY by presenting
a spectacular high quality two hour show loaded with exceptional
acts. It was only the second stop on this year’s tour for Billy and
Angela Martin and Nellie Hanneford. The show was dedicated to
the late Struppi Hanneford as was indicated on the large circus
posters! Circus Fans were anxious to see how this new trio of
producers-owners would do.
photo by Howard Pace
The White Tops
In golden era circus tradition, the
“Aerial Production” was a true “spec”tacle.
With most of the performers on the
show in costume, we went under the
sea and under black light. Six web
girls, glowing yellow, orange and green,
performed amongst suspended luminous
fish, while Dulce Vital (Aguilar)
performed her hair hang.
In addition to the three rings of hula
hooping, there were two other three ring
displays: unicycles, contortion and foot
juggling; Roman rings, silks and lyra.
More great circus tradition.
Performance, costuming, lighting,
music. The show had everything a fan of
the traditional circus could want and it
was all very well done. And, the last, but
not the least, Nellie Hanneford Poema
Chapay was traveling with the show.
The show kicked off with a song by Ringmaster Billy Martin,
who was surrounded by eight beautiful showgirls in gorgeous
pink feather costumes. There is nothing like a singing ringmaster
and Billy has the perfect voice. He was followed by the gorgeous
Vicenta Pages presenting six white Bengal tigers. Although it is
Duo Fusion
photo by Jan Sopelak
May/June 2015
25
basically a floor act, she did a flawless job putting the cats through
Grandma (aka Mark Gindick)
their paces. She concluded the act with her famous high 5 with one of
the tigers.
The Lopez family delighted fans with a solid performance on the
high wire. The entire act was filled with good stunts: jump roping,
jump overs, bicycle handstands and dual bikes and bar handstands.
Outstanding job!
We were all in awe by the sensual strongman and woman
presentation of Duo Fusion. The grace and strength of Virginia Tuells
and Giovani was admired by all. Every feat received strong reaction
from the audience. Being bathed in red light enhanced their stunning
routine. A perfect act for Valentine’s Day.
Paint camels with sharp looking drapes surrounded by showgirls
in gold Egyptian costumes were presented by Ian Garden, Jr. These
camels acted more like dogs than dromedaries. They love people, enjoy
being petted, and often nuzzle up to your face. They circled in a wide
variety of patterns and ended with the famous kiss and Ian camel hug.
A three ring presentation followed. Adriana Parker was on the
single hoop, Vicenta Pages performed on the rings and Kevin Sadrak
was featured on the silks. The more we see Kevin, the more we
appreciate his wide variety of talent. His ribbon act is a ballet on silks.
Also a skilled contortionist, he is able to do some unusual twists and
turns!
Grandma (aka Mark Gindick) made three major appearances in the
show. He was highly animated and his enthusiasm was well received
by the audience. Grandma did a cute popcorn and “diving” routine,
a great water gag with an audience member and the well-known
treadmill act.
Castle’s Bears pleased everyone. They were greeted with ahs by the
audience. Jimmy Hall and his wife Tepa are the best! Perch walking,
motor cycle riding, barrel roll walk, handstand feats, and lots more were well done. Of course, the
Kim Sue Valla
act ends with one of the bears doing Hall’s unique bear walk bouncing on the right foot to left
foot on its hind legs as they exit the ring.
The Royal Hanneford Circus is well known for its spectacular production numbers designed
and choreographed by Angela Martin. Mermaid Under the Sea spectacular was the best of any
spec I have seen in several years. The entire arena was engulfed in blue light with neon mermaid
showgirls lining the ocean floor and brilliantly colored fish floating in the air. Handsome seamen
Dallas, Kim Sue and Mercury on the elephants presented by Chip Arthurs.
26
The White Tops
photo by Paul Gutheil
photo by Jan Sopelak
carried a giant white clam shell
Benito and Dulce Aguilar’s Quick Change
which held the Princess of the
Sea – Dulce. She was lifted high
into the air by her hair, along
with the showgirls on anchors.
Dulce juggled a variety of items
and finished in a fast spin with
sparkling ‘water’ flying off as the
arena filled with bubbles. WOW!
The thunderous applause filled the
house! (See pages 3 and 23.)
Benito and Dulce’s Quick
Change act opened the second half.
I believe they have surpassed other
quick change acts by their skill,
grace, and the inclusion of several
other fitting magic tricks that have
livened up and enhanced a superb
performance.
The three rings were once again
filled with three great performers.
Francine McIntyre did lighted
hula hoops in ring one, Kim Sue did foot juggling in ring three and
The Lopez Family
Kevin Sadrak was the center ring feature doing his contortion act,
which climaxed with him squeezing into a small glass box! A real
audience pleaser.
Dallas Rosaire Zoppe and Chip Arthurs showcased three
elephants with an updated routine and flawless performance. The
addition of two more showgirls riding the elephants gave it a fresh
look and the conclusion with three elephants waving good-bye with
one foot was fantastic. You can see more of Dallas and Chip, along
with their dog act, this summer at the Baraboo Circus Museum’s
daily circus show. Don’t miss this fine act.
Brian Miser
photo by Jan Sopelak
photo by Howard Pace
photo by Paul Gutheil
The show contained a double whammy of a finish. Three of the
Lopez family members returned with the Cycle Globe of Death
featuring Quad Cycles along with motorcycles. According to Billy
Martin, they are the only globe act with this exciting mix. The
second closing bang came from the impeccable Brian Miser as he
was shot from his day-glo cannon high into the arena and landed in
a giant air bag, followed by whoops, cheers and applause from the
audience.
The Hanneford show closed with their traditional patriotic
red, white and blue finish. This was a high energy show, filled
with skilled artists whose enthusiasm for performing resonates
throughout the building, stunning lighting and fantastic costumes.
There is no doubt that Billy, Angela and Nellie will continue the
excellence associated with the Hanneford name. They will make
Tommy and Struppi Hanneford proud as they look down from the
‘big lot in the sky’!
photo by Paul Gutheil
May/June 2015
27