Zirkus

Like many other African American women, Danise Payne graduated from a university and headed out into the world. But she finds herself spellbound on a different path and discovers her life's song includes elephants. <BR>Enter the circus. <BR>Elbows in My Ears uncovers a never-before-told tale of a black woman with a career among little people, tigers, and wardrobe trunks. Travel with Danise on a compelling journey inside the massive Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. View an all-black production called UniverSoul Big Top Circus. And witness her life as the first African American woman clown in a circus in Europe-a culture that is uncomfortable with women clowns. <BR>This intimate memoir reveals the author's encounters with prejudice, exclusion, and her fight for acceptance. It delivers adventures of hilarity and perseverance. What a testimonial to triumph over naysayers! Enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at a traditional circus that will capture your imagination.<BR>If you love stories that inspire you to live the desire of your heart regardless of obstacles, this must-read account invites you to join the pomp that caught national attention. <BR>

Those seeking inspiration or guidance often look to respected authors, philosophers, inventors, world leaders, and other famous people.But few, if any, look to a pig.<BR>The swine race, however, should not be so easily discarded. A look back into the history of the species reminds us of its shining star, Toby, the Sapient Pig.<BR>Toby was a learned pig who achieved great fame in England in the early 1800s. Billed as "The only scholar of his race in the world," Toby could spell, read, play cards, tell time and guess people's ages.<BR>Fortunately for us, he could also write. And with that glorious talent, he wrote his autobiography, The Life and Adventures of Toby, the Sapient Pig; With His Opinions on Men and Manners. Thus, his tale has been preserved through the centuries, allowing us all to marvel at his genius.

Born plain Keith William Smith on the 17th October 1944, he started life in showbiz with a String Puppet Act, but was to become Famous in the Circus World as The Amazing Etna - The Boy Wonder Yogi and also as Tizzy the Clown.This is the story of one man's amazing roller coaster life in show-business, the ups and downs, the tears and the laughter are all revealed within the pages of this down to earth look at the world of performing.The failed marriages, long distance separation from his children along with successes and failures galore make this a book all would be wise to study before considering taking up a career in Showbiz.In later years he also made his mark in Old Time Music Hall, Variety Theatres and Cabaret as a Stand up Comedian along with his renowned Max Wall & Old Mother Riley Tribute acts.Along the way he has even toured Sideshows on the Fairgrounds as well as working on others "parading" shows on the gaffs.Indeed you name it and he has done it from Children's Birthday Parties to topping the bill in Pantomime to cabaret shows in the seediest of nightclubs and strip joints through to corporate events and prestige venues like the Blackpool Tower Circus, Belle Vue Circus and Cirque d'Hiver (Bouglione - Paris) to name but just a few.Of note is the fact that he was the only Speciality Act in the World with his Bed of Nails, Fire-Eating, Dancing on Broken Glass & Other Yogi Stunts to ever work three consecutive seasons at the World Famous Belle Vue Circus in Manchester whilst also Clowing as Tizzy in the show at the same time.During his career he has worked with and alongside some of the biggest names in Circus, Variety and Comedy and is proud that his son Alex Smith aka Jonathan Royle who was born whilst he was touring with Gandey's Circus, made his stage debut aged 3 as Flap the Clown and continues to perform in various fields of the showbiz industry to this day. You will also find that inside the book are web links to watch various live performances the author has given over the years including those for both Adult and Children's audiences.Further links to digital versions of press cuttings galore and other showbiz memorabilia from his career are also included."When I saw LES-LE-ROY perform, it was like looking in a mirror. This man is an outstanding performer." Max Wall "It¿s a pleasure to work with someone of his outstanding comedy timing."Alec Halls MBE"

This open issue of African Theatre is a departure from the traditional themed format to showcase the plethora of styles, approaches and perspectives that populate the contemporary field of African theatre studies, with contributions from Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana. Focusing mainly on case studies, contributors engage a variety of performance forms, ranging from investigations into radical dramatic and popular musical performances, through "street theatre" (festivals and masquerade shows) and pop culture, to consideration of applied theatre, dance, audience, cultural performances and folktales. Articles address African American and African cultural dialogue, choreographic study and the carnivalization of indigenous African festivals. Others look at pan- Africanism and the concept of a global Africa; contesting stigmatization of disability; performance of nationality, as well as orality and African performance aesthetics.Highlighted in this volume is the playscript of the detective play The Inspector and the Hero by Femi Osofisan, one of Africa's foremost playwrights.Volume Editor: CHUKWUMA OKOYESeries Editors: Yvette Hutchison, Reader, Department of Theatre & Performance Studies, University of Warwick; Chukwuma Okoye, Reader in African Theatre & Performance, University of Ibadan; Jane Plastow, Professor of African Theatre, University of Leeds.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Most Fantastic Show on EarthThree years ago, the Ban changed everything, outlawing certain forms of magic and bringing about the rise of powerful crime syndicates. Now, speakeasies in every city sell illegal charms and jinxes, and bootleggers traffic restricted potion ingredients across the country. But even in this changing world, the magic of the circus still acts as a wondrous escape and provides entertainment for all.Jake Strickland owns one such circus, inherited after an accident ended his career as a rodeo dragon rider. He also inherited the circus’ financial troubles, but since the show became his, he’s slowly managed to turn it into a profitable business once more. Or at least, that’s what he thought.When a dangerous mobster comes to collect an old debt, Jake resorts to desperate measures to get the money before a strict deadline. With lives and livelihoods at stake, he battles the clock, his responsibilities to the circus, and a longstanding personal grudge that has festered for years. Can he pay back the mob before it’s too late? And if so, what will it cost him?

Local thrill-seekers at the turn of the century knew that all the action was at the Driving Park. But few today know the drama buried beneath a West End subdivision. At the height of the horse racing craze after the Civil War, prominent Rockford businessmen raised $25,000 to build a harness racetrack there in 1890 (the name refers to the person in the cart pulled by a horse--the driver). The versatile venue evolved to stay relevant, weathering the 1893 financial panic and welcoming bicycle mania. Events ranged from high school track meets to early auto racing. Folks saw a soccer game one week and a circus the next. Controversy erupted at times, from gambling and drinking to a murder and a KKK rally. Amanda Becker reveals this colorful story nearly forgotten since 1938.

Step right up to this eye-opening account of how circuses are scouted, produced, directed and ballyhooed - and forever reinventing themselves. Covering them all, from the Kings of the sawdust rings to the bottom feeder big tops, the author's unflinching candor and rich historical grasp may change forever how you view and experience the great spangled parade!"Step right up for a visit to the American Circus! There could be no finer guide than David Lewis Hammarstrom ... His passion for sawdust and spangles bubbles from every line but - a rarity among circus writers - he's as quick to point out the rubbish and rip-offs as the wonderful" -- THE STAGE, London "Fascinating! ... Something we need in these changing times more than anything else." -- PLANET CIRCUS, Germany "Bold and ambitious ... Timely and provocative! ... It is difficult to disagree with most of his views." -- CIRCUS REPORT, USA"Once in the audience, how can viewers evaluate what they see? ... A concise guide ... Hammarstrom's memories are vivid, and his enthusiasm is infectious" -- CHOICE "I eagerly read this book - as a circus arts performer and instructor I found it entertaining, and as an academic educator I found it very useful ... strikes a fun balance between history and gossip, critical guide and personal insights into the diversity that is the world of the modern circus show." -- ELSIE SMITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR CIRCUS ARTS"A thought-provoking book... how circus, particularly American circus, has changed and developed over the past 50 to 60 years, this book is packed with information and opinion." -- KING POLE, UK"Penetrating ... Informative ... Takes us out of our comfort zones." - THE WHITE TOPS"Roll up, while you still can, to the greatest show on earth! 'fresh, alive, magical and compelling.' Along with the author of this fine volume, I urge you to buy tickets for the world of sawdust and spangles before it's too late and circuses go the way of steam trains." -- THE DAILY MAIL, London"Pay Attention! ... A good show!... This engaging study functions as a sort of everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-circus-business-today-but-were-too-mildly-nostalgic- to-ask." -- SPECTACLE, USA

"Chilly Billy" was the nickname of circus mogul William Washington Cole, the chief rival of P. T. Barnum. Cole was born into a circus family in 1847, and beginning in 1870 and continuing through 1886, developed "Cole's Colossal Circus" into a money-making enterprise. He wisely invested his earnings in real estate, making himself a multimillionaire before finally closing down shop. Another landmark contribution to American circus history, complete with notes, index, bibliography, and contemporaneous illustrations.

"A fascinating history of the unexpected intersection of science, technology and show business."--John Steele Gordon, author of Hamilton's Blessing"Once upon a time, American know-how flourished through show-how: spectacular demonstrations by ever resourceful technological entrepreneurs. David Lindsay brings back these glorious (and sometimes infamous) theatricals in a delightful, witty, narrative with a serious point: the American inventor, now relegated to endless rehearsals, needs to resume a rightful place on the national center stage. For admirers and critics of technology and for veteran and inspiring inventors, Madness in the Making will give pleasure and inspire debate."--Edward Tenner. Author of Why Things Bite Back

This book is about Soviet Circus artists who have become popular in Britain, France, the U.S.A., Cuba, Japan, China, Belgium, Holland and many other countries. Oleg Popov, the "Sunny clown;" the trainers Vladimir and Yuri Durov; Valentina Surkova the gymnast; The Vlzhanskys tightrope-walkers; the Bubnov sisters known as "the dragon-flies;" Valentin Filatov with his "Bear Circus;" the trainer Margarita Nazarova; and the magician Kio ... all appear in the following pages in their own stories or reminiscences and in articles by well-known writers, producers, and critics. "The Past Recalled" describes memorable events in the lives of Anton Chekhov, Alexander Kuprin and Maxim Gorky. A. Fevralsky's article on Mayakovsky's circus pantomime "Moscow in Flames" is particularly interesting. This section also contains some of Vsevolod Meyerhold's and Sergei Eisenstein's ideas about the circus.

The acclaimed author of Emily, Alone and Henry, Himself brings all his narrative gifts to bear on this gripping account of tragedy and heroism—the great Hartford circus fire of 1944.<BR><BR>It was a midsummer afternoon, halfway through a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus performance, when the big top caught fire. The tent had been waterproofed with a mixture of paraffin and gasoline; in seconds it was burning out of control. More than 8,000 people were trapped inside, and the ensuing disaster would eventually take 167 lives. <BR><BR>Steward O'Nan brings all his narrative gifts to bear on this gripping account of the great Hartford circus fire of 1944. Drawing on interviews with hundreds of survivors, O'Nan skillfully re-creates the horrific events and illuminates the psychological oddities of human behavior under stress: the mad scramble for the exits; the perilous effort to maneuver animals out of danger; the hero who tossed dozens of children to safety before being trampled to death. Brilliantly constructed and exceptionally moving, The Circus Fire is history at its most compelling.