Once an
eagerly awaited spectacle, the travelling circus — that miracle of
red wagons, trumpeting elephants and spangled trapeze artists that
slipped into town at dawn and disappeared by midnight — has all but
vanished from the American landscape. This work explores circus
history from 1793 to the present and addresses the forces of modern
culture (such as the popularity of Cirque du Soleil, and pressure
from the animal rights movement) that are pushing big top shows
toward what the author calls “circus ballet.” Numerous photographs
and in-depth interviews conducted with show owners, performers and
directors enrich the narrative. Overall, the book reveals a sobering
contrast between circuses of yesterday and today, even as it honours
the outstanding performers who created, and have sustained, the
enduring appeal of the circus.
About the Author
Entertainment journalist and critic David
Lewis Hammarstrom has written articles for The Christian Science
Monitor, American Skating World and Variety. He lives in California.
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