CIRCUS

The modern concept of Circus has existed since the late 18th century with the first recorded performance in England dated back as far as 1768.English circuses were often held in large purpose built buildings, such as London's Hippodrome, thus enabling them to combine ring acts, animals and variety.Since 1970's the circus has evolved into nouveau cirque where influences are drawn from contemporary culture as much as from history, and animals are no longer involved. Our collection covers both old and new.

arp1232069 P.T. BARNUM'S GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH b.1810 - 1891, Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman, and entertainer poster for the European opening at the Olympia, London, UK 1889 Credit : Mander and Mitchenson / ArenaPAL	arp1212218 FURURISTIC JUGGLER AND MODERN MIME Emile Epstein 1999 Credit : Julio Garcia Garate / ArenaPAL	arp1199746 CIRCUS CIRKOR Andre Farstad as Charlie Claude at the Peacock Theatre, London, UK 2009 Credit : Elliot Franks / ArenaPAL
arp1197144 COCO THE CLOWN b. 1900 - 1974 the famous auguste puts on his make-up before appearing with a circus in Eastbourne, UK circa 1960s Credit : Peter Ekin-Wood / ArenaPAL	arp1191940 KRONES SEALIONS Dorothy Krone with performing seals circa early 1960s Credit : Topfoto / ArenaPAL	arp1191934 FLEA CIRCUS Billy Rayner the Flea Master in Walsall, Staffordshire, UK 1954 Credit : Topfoto / ArenaPAL
arp1191932 BERTRAM MILLS CIRCUS Jimmy Scott (clown) points towards Bailey Fossetts Elephants at Olympia, London, UK 1965 Credit: Topfoto / ArenaPAL	arp1191928 PORTRAIT OF A CLOWN Circa 1955 Credit: Topfoto / ArenaPAL	arp1191926 ASTLEYS CIRCUS Francesco Caroli (clown) at an exhibition to mark the 200th Anniversary of the worlds first circus at Simpsons of Piccadilly, London UK 1968 Credit: Topfoto / ArenaPAL
arp1191925 RUDOLF KNIE'S TRAVELLING CIRCUS Francesco the Clown in St Gallen, Switzerland Circa 1960 Credit: Topfoto / ArenaPAL	arp1189413 GERRY COTTLES CIRCUS Cristo Mune - The Human Cannonball in Croydon, Surrey, UK Credit : Frazer Ashford / ArenaPAL	arp1187100 MIME ARTISTS a performance art through body motions, without use of speech 2005 Credit : Eric Richmond / ArenaPAL
arp1184893 THE RING MISTRESS Kirsty Little, circus performer 2008 Credit : Eric Richmond / ArenaPAL	arp1184891 THE CIRCUS SPACE one of the UK's most prestigious circus school a student, Rob Horsman, juggles with 3 balls 1998 Credit : Eric Richmond / ArenaPAL	arp1180584 NOFIT STATE CIRCUS : TABU Vanina Fandino - tightrope walker at the Roundhouse, London, UK 2009 Credit : Elliot Franks / ArenaPAL
arp1158291 GUANGDONG ACROBATIC TROUPE OF CHINA in Chinese Acrobatic Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House, London, UK 2008 Credit : Elliot Franks / ArenaPAL	arp1144120 7 DEADLY SINS performers mix cabaret, burlesque and old circus style Martyn Jaques with The Tiger Lillies and the fire eating Ophelia Bitz at the New Players Theatre, London, UK 2008 Credit : Elliot Franks / Arenapal	arp1138874 PAGLIACCI by Leoncavallo scenes form the opera which recounts the tragedy of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe 1893 Credit : Peter Joslin / ArenaPAL
arp1135521 MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Lion tamer Stepan Denisov with his Tiger on the Ball act 1974 Credit : RIA Novosti / Topfoto / ArenaPAL	arp1131863 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL : VAREKAI Trapeze artists in formation Helen Ball, Susanna Defraia Scalas, Natalie Presser and Zoey Tedstill at the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK 2008 Credit : Marilyn Kingwill / ArenaPAL	arp1097245 THE JIM ROSE CIRCUS Jim Rose, founder of the modern day version of a freak show circus sideshow 1993 Credit : Henrietta Butler / ArenaPAL
arp1096013 CIRQUE DU SOLEIL : ALEGRIA Contorsionists Ulziibuyan Mergen and Oyun-Erdene Senge at the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK 2007 Credit : Nigel Norrington / ArenaPAL	arp1086946 RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS German polar bear tamer Ursula Bottcher performs her grand finale kissing stunt with bear Alaska Credit : David Jamieson / ArenaPAL	arp1086932 THE STRONGMAN demonstrates great strength, power and agility to the audience Credit : David Jamieson / ArenaPAL
arp1074891 STILT WALKERS resting at the side of the arena Credit : John Garrett / ArenaPAL	arp1067491 THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS a traditional Lion Dance at the Queen Elizabaeth Hall, London, UK 2005 Credit : Marilyn Kingwill / ArenaPAL	arp1043339 CLOWN ON A UNICYCLE British clown Arthur Pedlar, who in 1998, was awarded a place in the International Clown Hall of Fame 1994 Credit : Tim Ridley / ArenaPAL
arp1040724 COVENT GARDEN GRAND CIRCUS Circus Poster circa 1890s Credit : Michael Diamond / ArenaPAL	arp1040721 CHIPPERFIELDS CIRCUS Circus poster advertising "Europes Largest Animal Show" Credit : David Jamieson / ArenaPAL	arp1040720 BERTRAM W MILLS souvenir programme for the Circus at Olympia Credit : David Jamieson / ArenaPAL
arp1011849 CIRCUS HOFFMAN b.1937 - 2004, Ringmaster Barry Walls Versatile circus performer and master of disguise circa late 1970s Credit : David Jamieson / ArenaPAL	arp1006548 THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS troupe member in his backstage dressing room Credit : Gareth Underwood / ArenaPAL	arp1004229 SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW with Russian performance artist and clown Slava Polunin at the Old Vic Theatre, London, UK 1998 Credit : John Fenton / ArenaPAL

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