A typical scene at an American circus: In one ring, lions leap through a flaming hoop. In the next, a juggler throws up a set of butcher knives. Above another, acrobats spin to a swinging trapeze. With all this action coming at you at the same time, it`s enough to cause a three-ring headache. The Medinah Shrine Circus, which begins Thursday and runs through March 18, has a saner approach. Only one act performs at a time and the show takes place on an intimate stage at the Medinah Temple instead of in a huge fairgrounds tent.
”When you`ve got 15 people performing, you can`t see it all,” circus chairman Patrick Delaney said. ”But when there`s only one performer being scrutinized by everyone, you can`t have acts that are not excellent.” The show, now in its 49th year, includes an act with cageless panthers and some unusual stunts by Argentine acrobats.
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Medinah Shrine Circus; Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Ave.; Thursday through March 18; $6-$15; 266-5050.
