Show families 'weigh up' whether circuits are viable amid cost squeeze

The show business industry in Australia is facing significant challenges due to soaring insurance costs, rising fuel prices, and a shortage of staff. These factors have forced operators to reevaluate the viability of running their circuits. Melissa Quay, a sideshow alley owner from Victoria, had to leave her caravan behind this year due to high fuel costs and insurance premiums, opting instead to live in a truck with her daughter.

Her family's business has been passed down through generations, but the increasing costs and difficulty in obtaining insurance coverage have made running the circuit a struggle. The president of the Showmen's Guild of Australasia, Aaron Pink, acknowledged that the industry has become "very challenging," particularly for those who travel long distances on remote circuits.

Despite these difficulties, Pink expressed hope that operators would still attend smaller shows, even if attending larger ones becomes cost-prohibitive. Darrell Brown, a veteran of the travelling show business, highlighted the challenge of finding staff, as younger generations are less inclined to seek employment in this field. Chase and Peyton Lovell, seventh-generation show kids, expressed their enthusiasm for the family business, despite the added burdens of high fuel costs and the need to adapt to changing circumstances.

Jayden Fraser, a 20-year-old fifth-generation show person, emphasized the allure of the travelling lifestyle, but acknowledged the mounting challenges, particularly concerning fuel costs. He expressed uncertainty about the future but remained hopeful that the show movement would continue, ensuring the survival of the industry for generations to come.