A circus troupe is walking a tightrope of its own as the industry is squeezed by high fuel prices, with staff claiming they are being abused by strangers at service stations.
Diesel for their generators is so hard to come by that Circus Royale performers say they are often stopped and even verbally attacked when filling up.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Why the fuel crisis has Melbourne circus workers walking tightrope
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“What the f**k? Why you take too much?” is the kind of abuse they face, according to staff.
Diesel powers and moves the show around the country on trucks, at growing expense.
“Just our generators alone used to be about $2,500 a week. That’s gone up to about $5,500,” Circus Royale owner Damian Syred said.
Circus Royale has made a sign explaining that 25 people live off the power the generators provide, but it does not always work.
Conflict in the Middle East has driven up fuel prices and while the cost of diesel has dropped about 60 cents a litre, it is still higher than two months ago.
Performers say they are hearing friends in other shows lose work as the industry tightens.
“A lot of the circuses are closing down due to fuel prices. They just can’t afford to keep running,” aerial artist Zoe Armytage said.
Circus troupe performers have faced abuse at petrol stations over diesel purchases. Credit: 7NEWS
What the circus is doing is completely legal.
There are no restrictions on the amount of fuel — even diesel — you can take at once.
The only concern some petrol station owners might have is safety with the type of container.
Jerry cans must be up to Australian standards and usually no bigger than 25 litres.
Performers are very aware they are not the only ones struggling.
“People can’t come to the show as much because everything’s getting more expensive,” Armytage said.
“And we understand that, but we’re here to try and give people a smile and a laugh for the day.”
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