A popular adults-only circus cabaret has been forced to pack up and leave the Illawarra region after just two performances, following a dispute over the size of its big top at the Bulli Showground.
Big Top Deemed Safety Hazard for Greyhound Racing
Ashton's Circus had planned a four-week season of its Infamous cabaret show from November 8 to November 30, with both a development application and lease agreement approved by the Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA), which manages the showground.
However, circus operator Joseph Ashton said everything changed after the massive tent was erected. GBOTA managers informed him the big top would need to be completely dismantled before every race day – which occurs every Tuesday in November.
With the complex setup requiring four days to assemble and two days to pack, complying with this demand was logistically impossible.
‘You’d Have to Bring in the Army’
Joseph Ashton, describing himself as a ‘small businessman’, said he couldn't afford a legal battle against the wealthy greyhound racing industry. His only option was to cancel the entire season after the opening weekend.
‘To be fair to them, they didn't say pack it up and go away,’ Ashton said. ‘They said pack it up, pull it down, put it back up again... five times. We can't do it. It's logistically too much – you'd have to bring in the army to help us.’
The decision resulted in the cancellation of four weeks of work for event staff and performers, who now face an unexpected end to their employment.
Greyhound Association Cites Critical Safety Concerns
A spokesman for the GBOTA admitted an ‘unfortunate error’ was made by the Bulli club, as the tent's height was not properly considered beforehand.
He explained that the big top would obscure the line of sight for officials and the race caller, a critical requirement for both race calling and greyhound safety. The lure driver would also be unable to see if a race start needed to be aborted.
This safety concern is particularly acute given that two dogs were euthanised after injuries at the Bulli track in August and September this year.
The GBOTA confirmed that Ashton's Circus would not be charged for the first two nights of their agreement.
Ashton's Circus, founded in 1850, no longer tours with animals. The Infamous show features only human performers. Joseph Ashton is now relocating the entire production, comprising 11 semi-trailers and 15 caravans of equipment, to South Australia after failing to secure an alternative venue in the Illawarra or Canberra.
