Enduring Circus Performances Through the Ages: A Look at 10 Timeless Acts
The circus, as we know it today, was born in London in 1768 when Phillip Astley, a former cavalry rider, opened a riding school. Astley introduced the "circus," or ring, which allowed spectators to watch riders perform tricks from every possible vantage point [source: Jando]. This innovative setup marked the beginning of a new era in entertainment.
Acrobats were one of the acts at Astley's circus, and their original skills were a blend of equestrian and floor acrobatics [source: Jando]. The ringmaster, formerly called the riding master, was an important part of the circus, responsible for keeping horses at a steady gait while performers did their tricks on their backs.
In the 19th century, big cat acts became popular, with performers training big cats to jump through hoops and perform other tricks [source: Speaight]. Elephants also began to appear in circuses around the same time, providing a sense of exoticism for the audience [source: Speaight].
Comedy became a lucrative draw once the circus introduced clowns, and the early floor acrobats began incorporating humor into their performances by creating silly and funny characters [source: Jando]. Juggling, an old standby at the circus, saw a surge in popularity, with jugglers throwing unusual objects such as coffee cups and knives [source: Speaight].
As the circus evolved, so did its acts. Aerial acts, including the flying trapeze, have a long history in the circus and evolved from Roman Rings to trapezes in the last half of the 19th century [source: Speaight]. The first recorded performance of the flying trapeze was in 1859 at the Cirque Napoleon, conducted by Jules Léotard [source: Jando]. Jules Leotard added another trapeze to the act, allowing performers to fly through the air from one apparatus to another [source: Jando].
The sideshow, featuring unusual appearances or talents and sometimes offensive stereotypes, has been a part of circus culture since the 19th century [source: Victoria and Albert Museum]. These shows often showcased members of ethnic or racial groups seen as "exotic" or "bizarre" and presented people with disabilities or physical conditions as oddities [source: Victoria and Albert Museum].
In recent years, the treatment of circus animals has become a topic of controversy. In 2018, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced it would retire the elephant act due to the controversy surrounding the treatment of circus elephants [source: Wallace].
Today, the circus continues to evolve, offering a mix of traditional and modern acts that captivate audiences worldwide. Astley's 42-foot (12.8-meter) diameter ring, still used as the standard measure for circuses, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of this unique form of entertainment [source: Jando].
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