The Morning Midway: Kelly-Miller Signs Aussie Thriller; Trucks Painted Pretty Set To Roll Next Thursday

Signed to bring thrills and chills to Kelly-Miller Circus audiences in 2010, Aussie aerialist Nikki Ogle is set to join the show. John Ringling North II first spotted her act on a DVD, and was "greatly impressed," per show manager James Royal in an e-mail to Showbiz David.

"She performs a hair raising single trap with plenty of thrills," states Royal. In a second turn, Nikki executes a "superb double trap" with her identical twin sister, Carla.

Getting visa approval, launched last November, took more time than the show expected, due to lost paperwork, among other details. The U.S. signed off only yesterday; Since the Ogle sisters are expected to arrive a little late, filling in for them during the interim will be Becky Ostroff.

Royal reports, "everything is looking great." All trucks bear fresh paint applied artfully, complete with illustrations by Robert Rawls, "the Cezanne of the Circus," declares the upbeat manager.

Show hits the road next Thursday for another early opening in Texas, repeating last year's Jim Judkins' promoted dates.

Spring is here, already.