DAVID Manchon’s Australian wild west show The Rooftop Express is one of the headline acts on the entertainment bill at Beenleigh Show on September 15.
The star horseman’s show features a cast of six riders, four steers, eight horses, a 19m long trailer and a motorbike.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Manchon, who launched his horse riding career at Australian Outback Spectacular.
“It’s our first time at Beenleigh Show and we’re excited,” he said.
Manchon said the fully scripted show had something for everyone – mums, dad, grandparents, boys and girls – featured heroes of the outback and came with a message about primary producers.
“Did I mention it’s a comedy. We don’t take ourselves too seriously around here. We practise on the kookaburras, so we think we’re pretty funny.”
Manchon is joined in the show by Rooftop Rocky, the horse he bought as a two-year-old from Cloncurry. Rocky is now 14.
“They say you get one good horse and one good dog in a lifetime. So far as horses go, Rocky’s it for me,” he said.
“I have my career to thank him for. Beenleigh will be fortunate to have him there. He’s a humble horse. I know. He’s told me so. He loves to be told he’s handsome and he loves people to come on up and say hello and give him a scratch behind the ears.
“He has a side career. He’s been in film TV and print media. He’s not been the star of any real big films, but he was in a Subway commercial, a Main Roads commercial and an Australian film called Shadows of the past. He’s done lots of bits and pieces.”
Manchon and his crew land at Beenleigh Show off the back of recent appearances at the Brisbane Ekka where they debuted a new wagon train about Cobb & Co.
Beenleigh Show will be held at Beenleigh Showgrounds on Saturday, September 15. It turns 114 years old this year, making it older than the Brisbane Ekka.
Highlights will include goats, dogs, horses and show jumping events, pavilion exhibits, Dennis Dingo Dryden, Noah’s Animal Farm, roving and stage performances by Memphis Movers, Luke’s Reptile Kingdom, sample bags, sideshow alley, a police display, poultry, pig racing, a puppet show, the Pheonix Theatre Company Variety Show, Epic Darren Comedy Stunt show, tunes by Michael McKenna and fireworks.
The show for the first time offers armbands for all-day riders in sideshow alley. They will be presold at The Mall Shopping Centre Main Street, Beenleigh ($30) or available on the day for $35.
Entry is $35 for a family pass (2 adults, three children) or adults, $15 and children, $5.
