The first women’s circus in the world!
One of the things that distinguishes contemporary circus from traditional circus is “equal rights between the sexes” (Nicola Brackertz, Circus in Australia), both in the organisation of the circuses themselves, and in the circus performances.
With Australia being the birthplace of contemporary circus , it is no surprise that the first women’s circus in the world was founded here - The Real Mighty Bonza Whacko Women’s Circus, later evolving into the Wimmin’s Circus.
Note: The Wimmin’s Circus has no direct connection with us, Women’s Circus, which was founded ten years later. However, Donna Jackson, one of the founders of Women’s Circus was strongly influenced by its legacy, saying “I wanted to start a women’s circus after I heard of another women’s circus which happened around 1979-80. I met Ollie Black, who had been in it, and look through her photos and press clippings. My first thought was, “Why aren’t they around now so I can join?” (Donna Jackson “Being the Other” in Women’s Circus: Leaping Off the Edge , Melbourne, Spinifex Press 1997: pg 4).
History of Wimmins’ Circus: Melbourne 1979 - 1981 Active Feminism or Feminist Activists?
By Ollie Black
The original Wimmins’ Circus evolved from The Real Mighty Bonza Whacko Women’s Circus, a group of wild, witty, women who explored comedy and politics - Feminists with a sense of humour - making satirical statements about relevant issues of the day.
At the time (1979) some Circus Oz women were running circus workshops in the Circus Oz gym at The Pram Factory in Carlton. These workshops attracted women who had recently come to Melbourne from Desperate Measures , a political street theatre group in Perth, WA; some Australian Performing Group (APG) members and friends. The Women’s Unit at Swinburne College asked the Circus Oz women to put together a show for their Art Attacks event. This show performed in July 1979, at a women only event, was to become the benchmark of women’s circus in Australia - indeed the first women’s circus in the world.
The Circus Oz women sent us on our way with encouragement and support. Rehearsals and administration were made possible and practical having The Pram Factory as a base and being able to use the Circus Oz gym.
We all did everything - as well a juggle child-care, law degrees, secretarial work, artistic careers and lovers. Two years of performances in and around Melbourne including sell out tours to Adelaide, Perth and Sydney - all with no funding.
The collective was made up of:
Hellen Sky was one of the founding members who remained with the group until after the tour to Adelaide.
Eve Glenn, Nina Boderenko and Bev Fisher formed the core of our eclectic, electric band with other performers joining in as required.
Sue Bradley on tuba made the comic, classical addition to the carnival sound.
Andy Pearce had an awesome fire act. Her massive fire spit remains the longest, largest fireball ever seen in a women’s circus.
Ursula Harrison’s off beat humour as the whip cracking laundry tamer kept the knickers and socks on the line and the show together.
Rose Wise and Sarah MacNamara, The Blister Sisters, confronted the image of smooth, limp, hairless models with their underarm and leg hair depilatory routine via the aid of flaming torches - their bulging muscles caused a stir wherever we went.
Christine Evans was a vital musical member of Thunderella, the 3 legged Siamese accordian playing twins and Ollie Black climbing to the top of the pyramid and everyone on stage.
Leslie Forsyth and Mandy Smith were valuable stands-ins on tour.