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
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