The Hour

Father and son duo Ernesto and Chico Marin form daring team Los Marinhos and take entertainment stunts to the next level as they return to Scotland on tour with Zippos Circus.

Ernesto has been performing for 35 years and taught his son how to walk the tightrope when aged just eight.

“When I first started to learn it was on a low wire and then from there, obviously it went higher and higher,” said Chico who performs without a harness or net.

The years of practice are evident in Los Marinhos’ expert performances as they skip (with skipping ropes), ride a bike and even stand on the others’ shoulders on the high wire.

As if that wasn’t enough, the pair perform daredevil stunts on the Wheel of Death. The contraption is much like a two-spoke windmill each with a wheel on the end.

Chico and Ernesto stand either inside the wheel or on the outside and have the audience on the edge of their seats with their crazy and nail-biting show.

Los Marinhos have travelled extensively and have performed their dangerous and jaw-dropping stunts across South America, Asia and Europe, something which appeals to Chico’s adventurous side.

“I prefer the circus because every day you move to a different ground, you meet different people, the shops are different, the environment is different, your garden is different, everything is different. It makes it a little more exciting,” he explained.

Zippos Circus is touring around Scotland at the moment, finishing on August 3. To find out more, visit www.zipposcircus.co.uk.