250 years ago showman, entrepreneur and equestrian rider Philip Astley gathered together a series of astounding physical acts – jugglers, acrobats, clowns, strong men, bareback riders – and, on an abandoned patch of land near London’s Waterloo, drew out the very first circus ring. It was 1768, a time of revolutions, and poet William Blake was one of Astley’s first customers to this extraordinary show. But the real revolution Astley created was a whole new art form. This was the world’s very first circus. Every circus, anywhere, began at this moment in 1768.
250 years later, circus is a worldwide phenomenon. There’s barely an art form that isn’t touched by it – from Sir Peter Blake’s circus collages to contemporary cutting-edge circuses. Every schoolchild can tell you want a circus is; most of us would secretly like to run away and join one.
This anniversary of the most pervasive and popular art form in Britain will be marked in 2018 by a six-month long UK-wide celebration, including astounding performances in places as far apart as Great Yarmouth, Newport and London. Traditional and contemporary circuses will work together for the first time, in recognition of their shared heritage. Museums, cinemas, designers, theatres, orchestras are all joining in – as circus is everywhere.
Circus250, a not-for-profit organisation, is directing the year, led by Dea Birkett, a charity director, journalist and former circus artiste.
Our Circus250 Champions are:
Sir Peter Blake
Rory Brendan
Damian Dibben
Camille O’Sullivan
Sir Anthony ‘Tony’ Robinson
Yasmine Smart
Our Circus250 Ireland Champions are:
Panti Bliss
Gabriel Byrne
John McColgan
Little John Nee
Camille O’Sullivan
Camille Souter
“My first encounter with live performance was a visit to the circus in Dublin.
Full of colour and laughter and drama.
I’ve never forgotten the thrill and magic of that first experience.
To this day I’ve retained a childs love of circus.”
— Gabriel Byrne
Members of the Circus250 Advisory Board:
Arts Council England
The Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain
Blackpool Tower
CircoMedia
Circus Works
Circus Central
The Circus Diaries
Crying Out Loud
Four Colman Getty
Gerry Cottle Circus
The Harley Gallery
ISACS, the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
National Centre for Circus Arts
National Fairground and Circus Archive
NoFit State Circus
The Philip Astley Project
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Historical Advisor
The Roundhouse
SeaChange Arts
Totally Thames Festival
Upswing
V&A Museum
Members of the Circus250 Ireland Advisory Board-
Cork Mid-Summer Festival
Dublin Dance Festival
Tom Duffy’s Circus
Fidget Feet
Galway Community Circus
Irish Aerial Creation Centre
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
ISACS, the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
Lords of Strut
National Gallery of Ireland
Tumble Circus
The world’s greatest show is about to begin.
www.facebook.com/circus250
Twitter: @Circus250
Contact email: juggler@circus250.com
UK: 07771 994496
Ireland: 0862 432107
UK
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