Posted on March 28, 2014
On
this date in 1881, the “Greatest Show on Earth” was created.
Circus owner P.T. Barnum merged his show with James A. Bailey's circus
– and together their circus really was greater.
On
March 29, 1919, the seven Ringling Brothers merged their circus with
Barnum & Bailey's – I guess creating the Even Greatest Show on
Earth?
(Actually,
it's still just called “Greatest Show on Earth.” By the way, I
find it strange that “Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Circus” is still the name of this most famous of U.S.
circuses—which is strange, because people can't even be bothered to
say “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie,” so you would definitely think
that this circus's name would have been streamlined by now. Maybe
Ringling BBB? But I guess long names are part of the culture of
circuses. Barnum's first circus was called “P.T. Barnum's Great
Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Hippodrome”!)
Just
what is a circus, anyway?
A
circus in a company of performers who do stunt-oriented performances,
sometimes with animals. Some of the performers commonly seen in
circuses include clowns, acrobats, stunt riders, stilt walkers,
tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists, and animal trainers. Aerial
acts using one or more trapezes, ropes, rings, or hoops are an
exciting part of most circuses.
 |
| I generally think of "circus animals" being elephants and lion and tigers... But this early Barnum & Bailey poster lures viewers to come watch the "geese roosters"!!! |
Modern
circuses began in the mid-1700s in England, and they were almost
entirely about horse riding skills and tricks. Within the next 50
years many other sorts of acts were presented, including huge,
theatrical battle reenactments! By the late 1800s, the ringmaster
presenting acts choreographed to music became the favored style of
circuses—and this style lasted a century!
Nowadays,
most people think Cirque du Soleil rather than Ringling Bros. The
nouveau cirque (which is French for “new circus”) features
fewer (or no) animal acts and a more theatrical, artistic show, shown
in a theater, complete with sets, lighting, avant-garde
costumes, and original music.
But
you can still get your Barnum & Bailey fix, often in a “big
top” tent, with elephants and lions, dancing dogs and speeding
steeds, clowns crammed into a tiny car and lovely ladies flying
through the air with the greatest of ease.
Celebrate!
If
you can't run away to the circus today, perhaps a little virtual
viewing would help celebrate:- And this traditional circus act features lions.
Or
go the distance, think big, and have a circus mini-party! There are
tons of ideas for crafts, snacks, games, and all manner of circus fun
here.
Also
on this date:
Plan
ahead:
Check
out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
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