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Paggie Leung

Rodleigh Bradmore Stevens, 44

Flying trapeze artist Rodleigh has been living the high life since he joined the circus at the age of 10. He has performed in 18 countries and gets a kick out of teaching students aerial tricks. He is master trainer of Citygate's Summer Circus School which will offer acrobatics courses for youngsters aged six to 16 this August in Hong Kong. For more details, call 2815 5855.

How long have you been in the circus?

30 years.

Where did you learn?

I grew up in South Africa and when my older sister joined a circus doing flying trapeze, I got involved. I was 10 years.

What circus skills could you do as a teen?

I could juggle, do rolla bolla [balance on a plank on top of a circular tube], a double trapeze act, a men's trio hand balancing act, a mini trampoline act, pyramid building and ground tumbling when I was 15. And a hand balancing act and adagio act. At 17, I trained on the flying trapeze. At 19, I joined a professional flying trapeze troupe. Four years later I started my own flying trapeze troupe. I now teach all aerial skills.

What qualifications do you need?

I trained by watching videos of the best artists. There are circus schools around the world. TRIX CIRCUS is the newest in Australia. We teach a curriculum used by the Moscow State Circus and Cirque Du Soleil.

What sort of person does the job suit?

Someone with determination, discipline, motivation, strength and self-confidence.

What's the best way into the circus?

Through a circus school. They offer a variety of skills.

What work hours do you keep?

Training in the mornings and performances in the afternoon and evenings.

What is the best part of your job?

Entertaining an audience, even if things go wrong. And seeing my students learn new tricks and gain confidence.

And the worst?

Injuries and being unable to perform.

Who is your role model?

I learned from many different artists and never had one particular role model.

Have you travelled with the circus?

I've gone to 18 countries with 25 travelling circus shows.

What is the money like?

The better your act and the higher the risk, the more money you get.

Last word?

Think big and don't give up when things get tough.



Career Cruising