IT’S HALF the world away from Bondi Beach but the South African-born ringmistress of the Aussie: the Australian Circus Spectacular says it is absolutely amazing being here.
Actress and singer Meryl Cassie joined the circus when her brother Sebastian – producer of the animal-free show – wanted to add an extra touch to the modern Big Top extravaganza.
The Australian Circus Spectacular blends cirque-style acrobatics, hilarious vaudeville numbers and extreme stunts, and is in Port Elizabeth this week, before moving on to East London – part of its first ever tour to South Africa.
“It is one of those things that happened at the right time and the right place.
“They really wanted to add a live entertainment and singing element to continue raising the bar of what audiences love and expect from Aussie,” Cassie said.
“I could not say no to the opportunity and here I am!
“I am a bit of a daredevil so I absolutely love the globe of death, human cannonball, and FMX.”
The Cassie family used to live in George, but her mother Barbara Cassie took her, her sisters Megan and Monique and older brother Miquille to New Zealand at the height of apartheid in 1987.
The young ringmistress then later moved from New Zealand to the surfers paradise of Bondi Beach in Australia.
“The time here [in South Africa] so far has been priceless. I was here 16 years ago and home is definitely where the heart is because it seems like yesterday.
“Being on my home-soil in George has been unreal,” Cassie said.
She has also enjoyed introducing LANCÔME has announced Isabella Rossellini as its new muse.
According to a statement released by the company this week, the actress will be a spokesmodel for Lancôme on a regular basis, sharing the secrets of her happiness and her opinion on how to accomplish genuine beauty.
Rossellini, 63, first signed with Lancôme in 1983 and remained an ambassador for the brand until she was dropped just days after her 40th birthday.
But recently the brand said: “Isabella Rossellini is for Lancôme a keenly intelligent, accomplished woman, who at every stage of her life has made time her best ally, and happiness and wellbeing her greatest strengths.” her daughters – Breeze, two, and Diaz, one, to relatives here, while her son, Rylon and his dad, Richy – a boxer – will be joining the tour soon.
Her children love the circus, she said: “They were blown away – my daughter is already mimicking my script, counting down for the cannon with me while she watches from the crowd, singing along with my songs and embracing the spectacular circus vibes.”
Cassie became a household name when only a teenager for her role in the television series The Tribe, one of Europe’s longest running cult shows.
The Tribe was a New Zealand/British post-apocalyptic fictional TV series primarily aimed at teenagers, and much of it was filmed in and around Wellington.
Although the series ended more than 10 years ago, it has aired on more than 40 broadcast networks worldwide, including the SABC.
Cassie also sang the theme song of The Tribe and with her sisters Megan Alatini – married to All Black rugby player Pita Alatini – and Monique Cassie, she formed a band called the Nubian Angels.
“I am proud to have sung my homeland, South Africa’s, anthem for the Tri-nations rugby match between the All Blacks and the Springboks although I was very two-faced having to juggle my support for both countries.”
Her fondness for music comes out in her role as the ring-mistress, as she sings a few numbers and introduces the acts.
There can’t be many ringmasters who would swap the traditional garb of jodhpurs and top-hat for a Las Vegas showgirl number, with sequins and peacock feathers!
- Due to demand, the Aussie circus is on until Sunday.
Tickets are on sale at Computicket and range in price from R200 for adults, and from R150 for children under 14.