Seventh-generation circus performer Tahlia Weber is set to perform with her family at The Great Moscow Circus in Benalla from August 1 to 4.
The 22-year-old has been on stage since she was a toddler, and officially performing in the circus since she was 12.
“I don’t feel like I’m working when I’m on stage because I love performing,” she said.
Tahlia’s main act is the solo trapeze, but she also dabbles in pole acts, dancing and stage managing as well as working in the office when she’s not on stage.
She will be performing all three acts at the Bemalla shows, which run until August 4 at the Benalla Showgrounds.
“That’s something new for me, I’ve always done one act at a time, but this has taken a lot more endurance, especially when we are doing three shows a day,” Tahlia said.
She is currently training with Guinness World Record holders Edison and Gisele Acero on pole acts and filling in for Gisele as she recovers from an injury.
Tahlia said the Aceros are amazing performers, and she is always learning new things from them.
“Most of our performers are from all over the world and don’t have any family here, but we are all like one big family,” she said.
The Weber family is originally from Germany and has been involved in the circus all the way back to when it was wagons and animals.
As owners of the circus, the family is involved in making sure the show goes on.
“It’s all on my Dad’s side, my Mum came from a normal family, she joined the circus as a dancer and fell in love,” Tahlia said.
“My parents don’t perform any more, but my Dad runs the logistics of the circus and my Mum runs the canteen.”
Tahlia and her two sisters perform alongside their 10-year-old brother, Cruz, who was the youngest rider in the world to enter the death-defying cage with two motorcycles at the age of eight.
Tahlia said Cruz is “crazy” but they can’t keep him out of the cage, he loves it.
“I’m very close with my family, especially with my sisters, they’re my best friends,” she said.
The Great Moscow Circus features some of Australia’s top BMX and scooter riders, exciting trampoline, Russian Swing, the world’s best daredevil motorcycle cage riders and breathtaking aerial performances.
For more information and to book your tickets, go to https://greatmoscowcircus.com.au/
– Article courtesy of Jordan Duursma, Wangaratta Chronicle.