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The Jim Rose Circus survived, even without Lifto's little fella, and has just completed a world tour. The Slum caught up with Grand Czar of Freakery Jim Rose and chatted about obese contortionists, chainsaw football and excrement artists.
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What drew you to the circus?
It all began in 1989 when I attempted to jump twenty-seven cows on a motorcycle. I cleared the cows but I must have landed on a cowpat because I wobbled and crashed. That is why today, as I speak to you, I have the posture of a giant prawn.
How do you find your performers?
After the accident I put together a different type of circus - no more motorcycles - and people started hearing about this show. It started to sell out and everywhere I went like-minded monsters sat up in their crypts and came to audition.
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| "This year I found the world's fattest contortionist in Canada. He's 450 pounds of elasticity. He's like a human bar snack, a pretzel." |
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What do you look for in a freak?
It depends of the year. I have had many different incarnations. One year I was looking for really big women. This year I found the world's fattest contortionist in Canada. He's 450 pounds of elasticity called Big Mak. He's like a human bar snack, a pretzel.
You've got a great way with words Jim.
Why, thank you.
What special talents have you got?
I have been told I have a great way with words. I just try to keep the comedy going. Did you know Homer Simpson ran away and joined the Jim Rose Circus as a human cannonball in one episode?
What has been your favourite act?
I really enjoy the guy that balances a running lawn mower on his upper lip. We give the audience heads of lettuce and they throw them at the lawnmower. We turn the stage into salad. I also put my face in broken glass and someone from the audience stands on my back. That's a good one.
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Has any act made you feel physically sick?
I don't like blood - there's no blood in the Jim Rose Circus unless something goes wrong.
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And has it?
Yes, the time we played chainsaw football. Someone lost a little toe. He was my halfback. Literally my halfback after that. We benched him.
What do you draw the line at?
I don't have room in my show for excrement artists.
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| "When I beat Ben Affleck with two aces, he had a look on his face like he'd just found a finger in his Coca Cola." |
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You're a professional poker player...
Yeah, I live in Las Vegas. I've played plenty of celebrities. Ben Affleck and Tobey Maguire are good but I still beat them. Macaulay Culkin - he's horrible, he needs to be watched. He's not a good poker player. My biggest win in one hand was £30 000. It was from an oil guy from Texas.
When I beat Ben Affleck with two aces, he had a look on his face like he'd just found a finger in his Coca Cola. It's not like the money bothers him but he's very competitive. Ben looked like he was the only one who showed up for his own birthday party. But he didn't let it get to him. He's like Freddy Kruger, he keeps coming back. I'll play Ben Affleck any time, anywhere, for any amount. Hell, I've even dress up as a poker player. I'll grease my hair back like I combed it with a pork chop.
Talk to us about your dark childhood, Jim.
I was born premature and cross-eyed. I don't know what was so interesting about my left eye, but my right eye had to look at it. I was always being beaten up at school. I remember I was walking down the halls in school and this guy knocked me over. I said: "Look where you're going." And he said: "Go where you're looking."
http://www.ambient.ca/jimrose/
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