Big applause for the big top

It’s kind of like an old cliche.

Kid sees the circus and loves it. Kid runs away to join the circus. Kid grows up and becomes the ringmaster.

But for Edward Russell it’s been the story of his life.

“When I was a kid I always wanted to do this,” said the 73-year-old owner of Russell Brothers Circus. “One summer I went and did it, and I never went back. I ran a side show and introduced all the odd, unusual and bizarre acts.”

Speaking of bizarre coincidences, the inspiration for the name of his family owned company isn’t his own moniker.

“It was back in the ’40s, and it was called the Russell Brothers Circus,” Russell said. “It was the biggest show I ever saw, and it was a coincidence that it was my same last name.”

The Russell family has been delighting youngsters at the Orange County Fair for 15 years. Judging by the reactions from one of their audiences Friday afternoon they are still a hit.

Although there are no brothers in the show, it is a family spectacle. Russell’s son Stephen Michaels wows the audience as he juggles swords to traditional circus tunes.

“I started juggling at 12 or 13,” Michaels said. “I grew up on the circus, and everyone knew how to do the tricks. You just learn.”

A circus isn’t a circus with juggling alone, however, which is why the Russell Brothers Circus’ 30-minute show is stuffed with astonishing tricks.

Viewers see a magician, a disappearing dove named Hugo Birdini, a man complete a handstand on several stacked and wobbly chairs — a trick called “Temple Benares” that involves a disappearing man and numerous swords — and an amusing clown named Bingo who can balance a circling saucer on a thin stick.

Of course, that isn’t the entire show. Kids cheer on each new trick to come.

“My favorite part was when the bird came out of the canon,” said 6-year-old Brielle Bradt, of Hugo’s traditional stunt.

The illusions awed 9-year-old Isabel Garcia.

“I liked the part where he changed a bird into a cat,” she said. “It was a good circus.”

Friends Tommy Gabella, 10, and Alberto Ceruti, 13, also watched the Russell Brothers team work their magic.

“I saw the chair trick, and that was kind of cool,” Gabella said. Ceruti enjoyed the clown’s antics.

Enthusiastic audiences keep Russell and his son going.

“We love seeing the audience’s reaction,” Michaels said. “If they are enjoying themselves and having fun, then we are having fun.”