a big top stitched with art i.b.m.
Many moons have passed since the days when Christians were thrown to the lions at Roman circuses. The circus and those who were born, raised and who've lived and died in it have all somersaulted a long way since then.
Circuses in those days didn't have big top tents and neither do they today. Red and white striped tents all the same, are the chosen symbol when it comes to picturing a circus. Red and white tents surrounded by gaily-coloured wagons, caged animals and brimming over with children brought along by their parents.
Workers at the Roman circus didn't wear sequins and it goes without saying that neither did those who were gobbled down by the lions. But in the search for glamour they did become a must for a while: sequins and red and white striped tents. Nowadays costumes are a lot less shiny but lighting still has a special place in the show.
The circus moved on from Roman times and changed to castle halls, streets, squares, tents and stages in the Middle Ages. Circus art is alive and kicking today, although it has suffered bleak periods down through the centuries.
The bad patch it went through a few years ago was one of the worst periods it ever had to overcome. Crisis was at its most rampant and a centuries old art form and discipline found itself up against the ropes.
A lot of circus stars like the Russian and Chinese trapeze artists disappeared and many of the wild animals became tame shadows of their former selves. Some ended up as mere canned meat. Many a child's dream was shattered when they didn't see the red and white tent going up on a summer's morning, just like they always had done.
What trick or spectacle hadn't already found its place in the Guinness Book of Records? The Human Cannonball, The Bearded Lady or any other marvel of an act couldn't claim people's attention. TV offered an endless list of programs of the same kind of thing and you didn't even have get up from your armchair to see it. The magic had been lost. Was it too late?
The Circus then took a double flip-risk and (drum roll in the background...) easily passed the test. People are talking about the new style of circus these days. Actually, they should be talking about the rebirth of the circus, and not be bandying about the word "new". The spectacle has moved on and has become more of an art form. Gone are the many different rings; nowadays there's only one (the stage) where a numerous group of people put together a straight through story that is far from being on the ropes and where the skills on show cannot be savoured in any of the so-called spectacles offered on TV. The viewer is treated to a delicacy: art, carefully chosen aesthetics and quality.
The circus has dug deep into itself to come up with the best it has to offer, and it continues to do so. It has dropped any unworthy acts, worked on a strong base, recognised the value of certain things and applauded the merits of its entertainers. The circus world is a hard place to survive in, but it's also a thankful one; for these days it's getting harder and harder to provoke a smile, admiration or expectation in a child or an adult. That could just be the magic of a circus...
Circuses in those days didn't have big top tents and neither do they today. Red and white striped tents all the same, are the chosen symbol when it comes to picturing a circus. Red and white tents surrounded by gaily-coloured wagons, caged animals and brimming over with children brought along by their parents.
Workers at the Roman circus didn't wear sequins and it goes without saying that neither did those who were gobbled down by the lions. But in the search for glamour they did become a must for a while: sequins and red and white striped tents. Nowadays costumes are a lot less shiny but lighting still has a special place in the show.
The circus moved on from Roman times and changed to castle halls, streets, squares, tents and stages in the Middle Ages. Circus art is alive and kicking today, although it has suffered bleak periods down through the centuries.
The bad patch it went through a few years ago was one of the worst periods it ever had to overcome. Crisis was at its most rampant and a centuries old art form and discipline found itself up against the ropes.
A lot of circus stars like the Russian and Chinese trapeze artists disappeared and many of the wild animals became tame shadows of their former selves. Some ended up as mere canned meat. Many a child's dream was shattered when they didn't see the red and white tent going up on a summer's morning, just like they always had done.
What trick or spectacle hadn't already found its place in the Guinness Book of Records? The Human Cannonball, The Bearded Lady or any other marvel of an act couldn't claim people's attention. TV offered an endless list of programs of the same kind of thing and you didn't even have get up from your armchair to see it. The magic had been lost. Was it too late?
The Circus then took a double flip-risk and (drum roll in the background...) easily passed the test. People are talking about the new style of circus these days. Actually, they should be talking about the rebirth of the circus, and not be bandying about the word "new". The spectacle has moved on and has become more of an art form. Gone are the many different rings; nowadays there's only one (the stage) where a numerous group of people put together a straight through story that is far from being on the ropes and where the skills on show cannot be savoured in any of the so-called spectacles offered on TV. The viewer is treated to a delicacy: art, carefully chosen aesthetics and quality.
The circus has dug deep into itself to come up with the best it has to offer, and it continues to do so. It has dropped any unworthy acts, worked on a strong base, recognised the value of certain things and applauded the merits of its entertainers. The circus world is a hard place to survive in, but it's also a thankful one; for these days it's getting harder and harder to provoke a smile, admiration or expectation in a child or an adult. That could just be the magic of a circus...
