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>

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"

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

Angels Can Fly, a Modern Clown User Guide, includes a mix of fiction which follows the adventures of ten clowns, some personal anecdotes from clowns from around the world, a total of 50 practical clown exercises, and some theory on the nature of modern clown. Clown is a fascinating, diverse, complex and exciting art form, which has existed around the planet for thousands of years. Like any art form it has to evolve to stay relevant to the culture nurturing it, and at the same time, and by its very nature, clown teases and turns upside down the cultural patterns and boundaries around us. This book is an attempt to chart the growth of modern clown, and to promote the process by providing, not only practical exercises for individuals and groups, but also reference points for thinking.

"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.