For sixth generation circus performer Ricardo Costa entertaining audiences is in his blood.
Now riding the globe of death in Maddington with the Great Loritz circus, Mr Costa started performing in a circus as a child in Brazil.
“My mother did the trapeze and my dad used to do the globe (of death) as well,” he said.
“As a kid growing up in the circus you learn a bit from everywhere, it was awesome, there was always something to do, something exciting happening.
“I don’t think I could have had a normal life, it would have been too boring.”
Mr Costa began riding motorbikes when he was about six years old and followed in his father’s footsteps by riding the globe of death.
The globe of death is a popular circus and carnival stunt, with multiple motorcycle riders performing inside a mesh ball.
Mr Costa is one of four riders who will ride inside a globe, which is smaller than usual, within the Loritz circus big top, making it the most riders in a globe of that size.
“Having four riders in a globe this size is very dangerous,” he said.
“If you make any little mistake everything goes wrong so it takes a lot of trust in the other riders.”
Mr Costa said he’s had a few accidents in the past and they weren’t always caused by riders’ mistakes.
“Sometimes things go wrong with the bikes,” he said.
“Tyres blow up or the chain goes off and there’s not much you can do with that.”
Despite the risks, Mr Costa was never nervous ahead of a show.
“I love it and the audiences love it too, they go crazy when they see us riding in the globe,” he said.
Aside from the globe of death, audiences will also be treated to performances from a six-person Ukrainian troupe specialising in Russian swing, trampolining and Russian skipping.
Trapeze artists, clowns and juggling acts will also make up some of the fun.
Performers include members of the Weber family, who created the circus in New Zealand before bringing it to Australia.
The Weber family is now in their eighth generation of circus performers, beginning in 19th century Germany.
The Great Loritz circus will be at the corner of Attfield Street and Olga Road in Maddington until November 15 before moving on to Hamilton Hill.
To book visit www.loritzcircus.com or call 0439 247 287.
