If you’ve been to my shows over the years chances are you’ve seen my doves in action. To me they’re the stars of the show, and so it’s high time I give my fine feathered friends a well deserved place in the spotlight.
I bought my first set of doves aged fifteen and was immediately hooked on performing alongside them. This particular breed are white Java doves, their feathers are pure white unlike their avian cousin, the pigeon. I currently have ten at home and mainly perform with the same four in the show. Doves can live a surprisingly long life, with the eldest in my aviary currently being eighteen. Having said that I’ve had doves in the past who have lived up to the age of twenty five and apparently they can reach age of thirty.
Over the course of their performing career, they have appeared in TV adverts (Cutler & Cross), music videos (Josh Kumra – Waiting For You), Hollywood films (‘Now You See Me Too’) and even performed for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
I’m happy to report my doves live a happy life, spending their time in a large aviary in the middle of the countryside on my family’s farm. They mainly eat seeds, chopped nuts and other treats to give them all the vitamins they need. They also require grit to digest their food and fresh clean water daily to drink and bathe.
I take their wellbeing very seriously. I follow the strict guidelines required to travel and perform with them that continuously meet the highest standards of care, and hold an Animal Welfare license granted by the local authorities. They travel in a large animal carry cage, which is positioned securely on a seat of the van, and generally have their own dressing room at theatres, giving them enough room to fly and spread their wings once out of their travel cage.
However I do realise that performing with animals isn’t for everyone and the logistics and red tape is becoming more challenging every year. So to be honest I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to perform with them for, but for now, I’m appreciating every moment spent performing with my small feathered colleagues.
One of my absolute favourite moments in the show involves a child from the audience coming up on stage, becoming a magician and having a close and magical encounter with one of the doves. Seeing their faces light up with astonishment is a special moment, and something I will continue to cherish until the day comes when it’s no longer possible. Until then, the doves will continue to captivate audiences and be the true stars of the show.
“The simplicity of the dove denotes purity of action.”
Syncletica Of Alexandria
