Tim Mason of Napier is going to live out every youngster’s childhood dream – he’s running away to join the circus.

Joining a three-man team responsible for the show’s sound and lighting, Tim is to tour Australia with Michael Edgley’s Great Moscow Circus.

The exciting job offer, which came together just a week after he inquired about work opportunities in the circus, is an opportunity for putting his tertiary training to the test.

After leaving William Colenso College, Tim went on to complete EIT Hawke’s Bay’s Diploma in Video and Electronic Media last year.

Weber Brother’s Circus came to town during his first year on the two-year programme, setting up at Napier’s Anderson Park. Tim asked the crew if he could check out the sound and lighting equipment and he later helped circus workers packing up the Big Top.

Marcus Weber invited him to call when he had finished his studies, and when Tim recently followed up that suggestion, it led to the job offer from Harry Weber, another of the famous circus-owning brothers.

While his job is to rig up the power and lights for the caravans and the Big Top, everyone is expected to pitch in to put up the tent and pull it down again.

“It’s possible there will also be an opportunity for me to use my video skills,” says Tim, reflecting on his diploma training at EIT. “I just hope they won’t want me in lycra!”

Tim flew to Sydney on Saturday (January 24) – a day before his 19th birthday – catching the train up to Newcastle to join the performers. From there he is to continue travelling with the troupe as they stage shows up the New South Wales coast.

Paying a very respectable weekly wage, the circus will also cover his travelling, food and accommodation expenses.

“I will be living in a caravan,” Tim enthuses, “so there’s no rent or other costs to worry about.”

It promises to be a fascinating lifestyle, on the road with a talented team of high-wire performers, acrobats, contortionists and clowns