Circus

“The circus is coming to town!” this news long has heralded one of the most exciting events of childhood. Each year the people of almost every citi and large town could look forward to at least one big top show. Many circuses traveled te length and breadth of the land during the months of warm weather. Some were small one ring shows. Today large shows, such as the famaous Ringling Bros. And Barnum and Bailey Circus, visit many major U.S cities each year, offering a breathtaking performance in each of their rings at the same time.

The circus has changed in looks and form over the years. But its appeal is ageless and never changing. People like to see amusing acts that will make them laugh, and they like to see colorful exhibitions that require skill and daring. The circus is enterainment in its purest form.

Every age has contributed to the circus we know today. Pottery and wall drawings found in ancient ruins show acrobats and junglers. The word “circus” comes from a Roman arena, The Circus Maximus. In Latin, circus means circle or ring. In the Circus Maximus there were fats of skill and daring, such as exciting chariots races. Two forerunners of the modern cicus clown were Arlecchino (Harlequin) and Pulcinella (pierrot) of the 16th century Italian commedia dell’ arte. The trained bear, the town junggler, the court jester of medieval times all have their counterparts in the circus today.

The circus as we know it dates from the late 18th century. In 1770, Philip Astley opened a riding school in England. In the morning he taught horsemanship. In the afternoon he put on a show that included skillful riding, acrobatics, wire walking, and acts by trained dogs.

In 1792, John Ricketts established the first circus in the United State. George Washingtons was one of the many people who attended Rickett’s circus in Philadelphia. There are earlier reports of circus acts in North America, but this was the first circus in which an entire and varied prformance was given.