As stunned spectators watched with anxiety, the young man inserted three long, sharp knives into his throat in a single go and removed them without getting a single cut. He was one of the prime performers in the Crown Circus currently performing at Corporation grounds, Anna Nagar, Tennur. The circus which began performing in the city on Sunday, has three shows daily at 1 p.m. 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. and is on till September 16. Tickets are priced at Rs. 50, Rs. 100, and Rs.150 based on the distance from the stage.
“There are 180 people working in the circus, which has approximately 30 kinds of performances in a show,” said K.P. Unni, manager, Crown Circus. A special act called gorilla act, performed by African artistes, is the highlight of the circus and is being performed for the first time in Tiruchi, according to Mr. Unni. Fire dance, cycle feats, acrobatics, comic relief by clowns, flying trapeze, hoop dance, long distance balloon shooting in various angles, different kinds of juggling, body balancing acts on knives, are on offer by artistes from Manipur, Nepal, and West Bengal. “It is fascinating to see the acrobats perform. It is a wonder that their bodies are so flexible,” said D. Subha, who had come to watch the noon show.