The circus seems so interesting and nostalgic to me. But I've only ever been once. I kind of wish I could see it more often, and that it was in town more. Can you tell me anything about its history?
Sure, the modern circus really began around 1768 in England, it was developed by a man named Philip Astley.
In England? I wouldn't have guessed that. Is there anything more specific about what types of acts and animals were first used in the early circuses?
Sure, the first acts used back then included riding horses on tracks, acrobats, tightrope walkers, jugglers, and clowns.
Yeah, that's about what I thought. Are there any fun facts you could tell me about it that I may not have known?
Sure, the name circus originated because Philip Astley rode his horses on circular tracks rathern than in straight lines, hence the "circ" part of circus.
Huh.. that seems almost too obvious. But funny nonetheless! What's one more thing you could tell me that would leave a lasting impression on me about circuses?
Circus
A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, unicyclists, as well as other object manipulation and stunt-oriented artists. The term "circus" also describes the performance which has followed various formats through its 250-year modern history. Although not the inventor of the medium, Philip Astley is credited as the father of the modern circus. In 1768 Astley, a
about anything...He was a genius, a fine man and, yes, I miss him every day." In his last phone conversation with Randi, Andrus said, "I've been every place I've ever wanted to go, I've met everyone I've wanted to meet...I've never done this before, and you don't get a second chance out of it, I'm told. I'm observing really interesting things. I wish they wouldn't fill me with so many chemicals because I want to