Freaks & Fire: The Underground Reinvention of Circus

by J. Dee Hill, Phil Hollenbeck (Photographs)

Beyond the historical confines of Ringling Bros. and the über-kitsch of Cirque du Soleil, tightly knit alternative circus troupes like Yard Dogs Road Show, Flam Chen, Circus Contraption, and other over-the-top groups bring thrill-starved audiences sometimes disturbing, sometimes exhilarating riffs on the classic circus. From the sick shockfests of the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow to the anarchic burlesque of the Bindlestiff Family Circus to the obscure but elegant puppetry of the Cloudseeding Circus of the Performative Object, Freaks and Fire celebrates the world of the underground circus. The voices of the performers themselves describe the grit and glamour of their art — from chaos-inducing performances to paying the rent. J. Dee Hill's provocative text and Phil Hollenbeck's lurid images explore the role of these self-styled freaks in society, along the way giving a snapshot of society itself, of the large audience these neo-vaudevillians seek to dazzle and challenge.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2005

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaks & Fire: The Underground Reinvention of of Circus is not only a wild romp, it's funny, poignant and ultimately inspirational. Author J. Dee Hill has a natural ear for the best stories and writes with dry wit and aplomb that well suits her subject. Reminiscent of the better volumes of RE/Search Press, F & F gives you a all-access pass to the weirdest roadshows, ranging from the astonishing to the scatological. Bizarre freaks and uncanny wonders are brought forth to wriggle in the light, whether to entertain or provoke.

For me, this was ultimately an insightful study of creative communities, their triumphs, heartbreaks and the factors that can lead to their dissolution. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of modern collaborative and nomadic communities, united through love of craft, showmanship and new ideals for living. The failures are every bit as instructive as the successes. The personalities are bigger than life, sometimes problematically so. But more often than not, the synergy crackles, takes light and generates real awe and wonder. Reinvention begins with the circus template but soon takes flight into other unexpected realms.

Hill's secret history captures this ephemeral world with such poetry that it will be the rare reader who doesn't want to run away with the circus. Essential reading!

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, the title is very descriptive of the book. Yes, it is about freaks, fire, and the underground circus. Yes, it is very interesting.

The author has gathered her information first hand and has written a great compendium about alternative circus troupes that grew up in direct contrast to the traditional circus. Excellent reporting and interviews with performers. The photos could have been better.

[Esdajomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers beware: this is no Cirque de Soleil or Barnum and Bailey joy ride. Freaks and Fire follows the underground, unconventional circus and sideshow revival that gained momentum here in the U.S. in the 1990s. On the extreme end, there's Zamora the Torture King who is known for shoving needles through various parts of his body and the Know Nothing Zirkus infamous for their autofellating fakir and both men and women who use their genitals to perform Lifto feats. Not all underground circuses focus on the grotesque however, and Hill does a good job of balancing the shocking with more fantastic acts like the fire-breathing Flam Chen and the Bantu Mystic Family Circus who consider themselves "a nomadic magic healing arts circus." (p. 93) There's also the inane but purely entertaining acts like the clown who can put his whole body through a 99-cent shopping bag, butt first.
Don't think these circuses are amateur night however: some of the circuses like the New York-based Bindlestiff Family Circus draw talent from Cirque de Soleil cast members who appreciate the creative freedom found in these smaller operations and likewise some members of these underground circuses move on to more mainstream shows.
Each chapter is dedicated to a different group with varying aesthetics, talents, and themes and Hill explores the performers, the performances themselves, and what life in a modern-day unconventional circus is like.
I recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the book Geek Love or anyone who is remotely interested in this movement. The photographs throughout the book are well-placed and informative but be aware there are a few that are downright disturbing and there is some nudity.

Incidentally, San Diego has its own underground circus movement. Google "Technomania Circus" to join in on the fun.

[Richard]

Freaks and Fire is a free-falling leap into the world of radical circus. Beyond the historical confines of Ringling Bros. and scorning the big-budget schemes of Cirque du Soleil, these tightly knit troupes focus on bringing audiences thrills spun around an ideological center. From the sick-out shockfests of the infamous Jim Rose Circus Sideshow to the anarchic burlesque of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus to the obscure but elegant puppetry of the Cloudseeding Circus of the Performative Object, Freaks and Fire brings readers into the diverse and all-consuming world of circus as commentary, lifestyle and play.
The only book to chronicle the rise of the alternative circus, Freaks and Fire gives us much more than just the show as spectacle. By examining the role of the freak in society and the re-emergence of the tribe, it also gives us a snapshot of society itself, of the larger audience vaudevillians seeks to dazzle and challenge.

[kathy leland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book about modern-day circuses, which seem to be especially transitory and ephemeral forms of entertainment in this modern age. The circuses described in this book are not predominately of the Barnum and Bailey variety, but smaller and often more pleasingly eccentric groups. In many ways, they remind me of medieval passion plays or 12th century wandering minstrels and jugglers. Entertainiment can be so simple, really. We so easily forget that, don't we?

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often books on intriguing and little-known subcultures are disappointingly poorly written; not so with this fascinating portrait of several circuses (including Seattle's own Circus Contraption) that have been part of the movement to revive do-it-yourself circus arts in the past few decades. I've flirted with the edges of this world (mostly settling for observing), and it's fascinating to get a picture here, in their own words, of some of the things that make the people involved tick.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely surpassed my expectations- I was surprised the author actually referenced several books I've read previously read including "The Death and Resurrection Show: From Shaman to Superstar" by Rogan Taylor. Great interviews and insights into the circus subculture. I'm also now putting Burning Man on my bucket list for so many reasons. Anyone wanna go? :)

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging book about the re-invention of circus and freak shows in American. Author Dee traveled around with one troupe for a while, and interviewed lots of performers. I'd recommend this to anybody

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Stayed up LATE to finish.