potato and pickle (Marilyn on the circus, from Monday)

dear folks - if everyone as a child got to go to the performance we saw last evening, everyone would run away to paris to join the circus. the one ring family circus we saw was intimate, sweet and winning. mother and daughter are pleasant additions, and good straight men for father and son. and the family pets are amazingly obedient. the tent seats perhaps 75 and everyone has a front row seat. tiny chairs line the ring for the 1-6 year old kids. bigger chairs or benches are just behind. everyone is close enough to be in the ring in 3 steps. the performance begins with pickle the clown bouncing a balloon on every child's lap. it's very simple, but it's like a candle lighting ceremony. each child brightens at the touch of the balloon. even children who are inclined to be afraid of clowns are drawn to pickle (cornichon in french). pickle is eight years old, and incredibly poised and accomplished. he does juggling, balancing, rope tricks, acrobatics, and clowning. he never comes close to a real smile during the entire performance. his round face sometimes has a hint of a smile at the corners of his lips when he's very pleased with himself. papa changes costumes a lot. the first time he comes to take the microphone as ringmaster, it's clear the red jacket with all the braid isn't tailor made. but from the moment papa begins to perform, the circus magic begins and one never looks closely at the costumes again. papa is a terrific animal trainer. obviously gentle, patient and affectionate with the family pets. the mouse did not appear this year, but the goat and cat did. twice again each child got his turn to touch. the youngest kids followed the goat around the ring and seemed perfectly to fit with the circus. papa is an excellent juggler. he leaves the balls to his son. papa juggles columns, wheels and tables - with his feet! he's a long, lean good looking man and he makes a loose-limbed, sweet, skinny clown named potato. potato makes music on several different instruments - he got in trouble (with mama) with every one of them. he was told over and over to be quiet but he just didn't seem to be able to sit still or be quiet. potato has a unicycle which has a separate second wheel with handle bars so he can steer. even so he steers very badly and rode himself right out of the tent once. it was a delightful evening. when i get home i'll send some videos of the circus so you can see for yourself. love, m