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Circus Mania!
A history of the circus from its origins in the Roman times, through its establishment in Western Europe, and to the modern day circus—absolutely diverse and captivating
Circuses have existed since Roman times, but centuries later, the circus world has never been more diverse and captivating, the global success of Cirque du Soleil testament to its enduring and universal appeal. Traditional family circuses for kids, arty cirque-style shows for adults, circuses in tents or in theaters, circuses with animals or without, cabaret-style hybrids on the burlesque circuit—this is an expert guide to their extraordinary history and culture. The circus requires a unique type of performer, people who blend the discipline of sports stars with the razzmatazz of showbiz; itinerant but clannish entertainers who have often had circus blood in their families for generations; world class gymnasts who risk death twice daily and help take down the big top afterwards. This history offers a journey into this unique world, each chapter an access-all-areas pass to a different circus, talking to the trapeze flyers, clowns, animal trainers, and showmen about their lives, work, families, customs, and traditions.
Circuses have existed since Roman times, but centuries later, the circus world has never been more diverse and captivating, the global success of Cirque du Soleil testament to its enduring and universal appeal. Traditional family circuses for kids, arty cirque-style shows for adults, circuses in tents or in theaters, circuses with animals or without, cabaret-style hybrids on the burlesque circuit—this is an expert guide to their extraordinary history and culture. The circus requires a unique type of performer, people who blend the discipline of sports stars with the razzmatazz of showbiz; itinerant but clannish entertainers who have often had circus blood in their families for generations; world class gymnasts who risk death twice daily and help take down the big top afterwards. This history offers a journey into this unique world, each chapter an access-all-areas pass to a different circus, talking to the trapeze flyers, clowns, animal trainers, and showmen about their lives, work, families, customs, and traditions.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
232 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 24, 2012
This book was an interesting review of various circuses, although only circuses that are UK-based or perform in the UK. All types of modern circuses are covered, from the very traditional to the more modern cirque-type shows, to circuses that appeal to very specific audiences. The history and interviews were good, but at times I felt like the author was biased towards certain types of circuses. He spends a lot of time writing about Gerry Cottle and a clowning duo act, neither of which I'd ever heard of because they are based out of the UK and don't tour in the US. He also talks about the origins of clowning like it all originated in the UK, when clowning seemed to have come from Italy (the traditional harlequin) and the whole "hobo" clown thing, I believe, came from the US during the Great Depression.
The author doesn't seem to like the animal circuses, either: those he interviews who use animals in their circuses talk about how the animal rights activists make running an animal circus difficult, when in those respective circuses, no animal abuse occurs - yet the author then discusses his own distaste for animals performing tricks (e.g. a horse taking a bow). I like how one interviewee toward the end of the book puts it: you see racehorses being beaten on the track and no one says a word, but having a horse perform a few tricks and the activists protest.
And when the author seems to sneer a bit at Cirque du Soleil, commenting on how they are nationally funded (France and Canada are very supportive of circus arts), and how they are arty for the sake of being arty but how he'd enjoy the acts better if they were done in a more traditional circus manner without all the window dressing, I was very put off. I love Cirque du Soleil. I don't know how the author can look down on French circus for being government funded while he then praises the Chinese and Russian circuses, which are also state funded (although Russia's is not any longer).
So while this is a good overview of the various kinds of circuses out there today, I felt like the reporting was geographically narrow and more than a little biased.
The author doesn't seem to like the animal circuses, either: those he interviews who use animals in their circuses talk about how the animal rights activists make running an animal circus difficult, when in those respective circuses, no animal abuse occurs - yet the author then discusses his own distaste for animals performing tricks (e.g. a horse taking a bow). I like how one interviewee toward the end of the book puts it: you see racehorses being beaten on the track and no one says a word, but having a horse perform a few tricks and the activists protest.
And when the author seems to sneer a bit at Cirque du Soleil, commenting on how they are nationally funded (France and Canada are very supportive of circus arts), and how they are arty for the sake of being arty but how he'd enjoy the acts better if they were done in a more traditional circus manner without all the window dressing, I was very put off. I love Cirque du Soleil. I don't know how the author can look down on French circus for being government funded while he then praises the Chinese and Russian circuses, which are also state funded (although Russia's is not any longer).
So while this is a good overview of the various kinds of circuses out there today, I felt like the reporting was geographically narrow and more than a little biased.
January 20, 2024
Having had a close encounter with Clive Webb and Danny Adams at the Newcastle panto this year, I was intrigued by this book, which devotes an entire chapter to their act and mentions them several other times throughout. The author is clearly a fan of theirs.
I found the book an interesting read. It was written over 20 years ago and the epilogue added when it was republished is pretty brief, so it feels a bit dated. Nevertheless, it covers a lot of aspects of circus tradition and raises some interesting points that I hadn't previously given much thought to.
Overall, like the entertainment it describes, probably only of interest to a limited sector of the population.
I found the book an interesting read. It was written over 20 years ago and the epilogue added when it was republished is pretty brief, so it feels a bit dated. Nevertheless, it covers a lot of aspects of circus tradition and raises some interesting points that I hadn't previously given much thought to.
Overall, like the entertainment it describes, probably only of interest to a limited sector of the population.
June 17, 2017
A nice overview of the history and practices of different circuses. In defense of the book from some of the other reviews here: It is not just about UK circuses but shows worldwide. Only thing I didn't enjoy were the very detailed descriptions of some of the acts. I couldn't really imagine a lot of it unless it was a skill I was familiar with, and the magic of circus is in seeing it yourself anyway.
March 8, 2023
Lots of great information. The organization was okay, but if you were specifically looking for historical information, you had to do a lot of skimming. Which was fine. It was definitely a fascinating, easy-to-read book.
August 13, 2011
A decent circus book for us groupies... a quote I particularly connected with:
"I realize...the rows of seats behind me are going to remain empty... But as the lights go down it ceases to matter. In a theatre you would feel the emptiness of a poorly attended house sapping the atmosphere. The big top, by contrast, seems to close snugly around us, emphasizing only our proximity to the ring and the impending action."
"I realize...the rows of seats behind me are going to remain empty... But as the lights go down it ceases to matter. In a theatre you would feel the emptiness of a poorly attended house sapping the atmosphere. The big top, by contrast, seems to close snugly around us, emphasizing only our proximity to the ring and the impending action."
August 16, 2012
This wasn't quite what I was looking for and I get the impression that it glosses over a lot and misses an awful lot of behind-the-scenes things, but as a book from the point of view of an outsider it's an interesting look at circus' throughout history with some entertaining stories.
December 17, 2016
Detailed but a bit bias. Mostly about circuses in the U.K.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews