History Of The Circus Flashcards
Besides the entertainment value , what do circus performers show
Determination, belief, confidence
When was the roman era from
1st century BC to 2nd century AD - 1000 years
What does circus mean in roman
Ring or circle
What was performed in Rome and where in Rome
Brutal gladiator battles in a circular stadium
Was a roman circus a fun place to perform, explain
No, star performers were eaten by lions or killed by bloody combat
What was the roman circus designed for at first
A sporting event where roman soliders could show skills
What did the roman circus soon turn into
Pure carnage ! The more blood , the more popular
People killing people, animals kill animals , animals kill people
How did the roman circus disappear
With the final decline of the Roman Empire
What terminology survived out of the roman circus and what does it mean
Circus, arena, colleseum (mass entertainment)
What is the theatre in the round or arena theatre
Audience seated all around performers
When was the medieval era
5th century AD to end of 15th century AD - 100 years
How did the decline of the roman era affect Britain
Many of the counties Rome ruled over like Britain were now left defenseless against Saxon invasions
What led to the dark ages
Communications broke down, leaving small communities isolated
What would the groups of traveling entertainers do
Appear from village to village
Bringing news , singing songs and telling stories
Who was the only source of info in the medieval era
The traveling entertainers
What did the increasingly popular travelling entertainers become known as
Minstrels
What was the new entertainer that appeared , and who was it
The juggler, appeared in 11th century
Where did medieval entertainers perform in general and special occasions
Tavern or marketplace , special occasions performed at a booth stage that was temporary
What happened in the 16th century and who was it a result of ?
Most of the turmoil and isolation had been resolved and British settled down into more secure and prosperous life
How were minstrels viewed in the 16th century
Seen as vagabonds that lived a gypsey like (which was a threat to the catholic way of life )
What laws passed in the 16th century about minstrels
If found performing on street corner , would be punished
Where did the minstrels work after the new law had been passed
Worked in a permanent location designed for such events
What was a popular event for the English in the 17th century and what happened here
Country fairs were popular, major venue for performers to show off skills
Decribe the country fairs events
Riotous and noisy events
What kind of individual must you be to be in the country fairs
Rough, strong individual to be successful at them
What did country affairs provide
A perfect forum for acrobats , jugglers, rope dancers, bear trainers, riding exhibitions
What developed in England in the 1700s and by who
Modern circuses developed by the Briton Philip astely
What did Briton Philip Astley do in 1768
Set up a riding school on the south side of the Thames river
How did Briton open his riding school
With demonstrations of both his and his wife’s riding skills
How much admissions did Briton charge
6 pence
What did Briton do with his profits from his simple beginning
Purchased land near westminister bridge and built first circus builiding
What did a circus building look like
Originally open field surrounded by a kind of grandstands
What is a circus roof called
A big top
What happened in 1973
New form of entertainment reached America when the first complete circus program presented in Philadelphia
What were the early travelling circus shows like
Very simple
Simple music accompaniment of violins
With a juggler , rope dancer and a few acrobats
What act in 1793 was the most famous in the circus
The riding act
What did the riding act lead to
The ringmaster
What does the ringmaster do
Controls the movements of the riders and their horses . Known as the director of the circus acts
When did the golden age of circus begin
In 1870
What was the golden age of circus initiated by
Americans :PT Barnum and William coup “the greatest show on earth”
What Happened in 1880
PT Barnum and William coup went into partnership with James bailey and the show was so huge it needed 3 rings
What did Barnum crash in on the popularity of
Circus animals
And exhibited unusual/unique creatures like jumbo the world largest elephant
What was started in 1884
The five ringling brothers started their own circus
How many shows did the ringling brothers purchase ?
Six other shows , including in 1907 Barnum and baileys after death of Bailey
What was the most famous circus ever known
The ringling brother circus
What were circus families
Had a special status and passed their skills from generation to generation
What did circuses use to do before a show and why was this discontinued
Circuses used to karate through the streets before , this was discontinued because there was too much traffic /overcrowded
What do circus performances begin with
A spectacle (spec)
What happens during the spectacle
Band plays lively tune, animals march into and around arena . Animals wear bright satin and velvety ornaments
What tricks do clowns make audience laugh with
Dozens pile into tiny car
Set a toy house on fire , try put out the flames with water from miniature fire truck
What were freak shows in some circuses
Oddities and deformities of performers to draw audience
Like a bearded lady , midget
The grotesque and the comic
What happened with circuses in the 1970s
Lost popularity as other forms of entertainment developed like the tv and people wanted animal rights
What happened in contemporary circuses
Moved away from animal acts and included more daring acts , acrobats and stunts
What happened in France in the 20/21st century
The style shifted focusing now on overt theatrical elements
And a basic narrative story was introduced
What are overt theatricle elements
Lights and music crafted to inhance mood
Decribe the show in France in the 20/21st century
More daring , slic , precise , transitions between acts choreographed with military precision
What does cirque do soleil mean
Circus of the sun
What was cirque do soileil
A contemporary circus where performers were grounded with gymnastics, athletics, movement
How does cirque du soleil continue to evolve
In 2012 the film cirque du soileil :worlds away was released
What is cirque du soleil : worlds away about
Focuses on the love story of a young aerialists who lose eachother in different tents / worlds
What are skilled acts in the circus
Trapeze , jugglers, acrobats , tightrope
What are comic acts in the circus
Clowns, magic shows
What are animal acts in the circus
Lion tamers, elephants
What does the circus fulfill (purpose)
Comedic, entertainment, amusement, fun
What images does the word circus give people
Laughter, magic, fantasy, bright lights, dazzling performers, daring acrobats, comedic clowns, incredible animals and entertainment
