A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicyclists as well as other object manipulation and stunt-oriented artists. The term “circus” also describes the field of performance, training, and community which has followed various formats through its 250-year modern history. Although not the inventor of the medium, Newcastle-under-Lyme born Philip Astley is credited as the father of the modern circus.
A traditional circus performance is often led by a ringmaster who has a role similar to a Master of Ceremonies. The ringmaster presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the show moving. The activity of the circus traditionally takes place within a ring; large circuses may have multiple rings, like the six-ringed Moscow State Circus. A circus often travels with its own band, whose instrumentation in the United States has traditionally included brass instruments, drums, glockenspiel, and sometimes the distinctive sound of the calliope. Common acts include a variety of acrobatics, gymnastics (including tumbling and trampoline), aerial acts (such as trapeze, aerial silk, corde lisse, Aerial Hoop and aerial straps) contortion, stilt-walking, and a variety of other routines. Juggling is one of the most common acts in a circus; the combination of juggling and gymnastics that includes acts like plate spinning and the rolling globe come under the category equilibristics, along with more classical balance disciplines such as tightwire, slackline and unicycle.
Acts like these are some of the most common and the most traditional. Clowns are common to most circuses and are typically skilled in many circus acts; “clowns getting into the act” is a very familiar theme in any circus. Famous circus clowns have included Austin Miles, the Fratellini Family, Rusty Russell, Emmett Kelly, Grock, and Bill Irwin.
Daredevil stunt acts, freak shows, and sideshow acts are also parts of some circus acts. These activities may include human cannonball, chapeaugraphy, fire eating, breathing, and dancing, knife throwing, magic shows, sword swallowing, or strongman. Famous sideshow performers include Zip the Pinhead, The Doll Family, and Australian stunt performer Chayne Hultgren (The Space Cowboy), noted for extreme acts such as blindfolded arrow catching and Tesla coil performances. A popular sideshow attraction from the early 19th century was the flea circus, where fleas were attached to props and viewed through a Fresnel lens.
The Workshop
Activity 1
You are in an escape room named ‘Circus.’ Describe the setting, puzzles, and what challenges you encounter whilst being inside. 30 minutes writing time.
Activity 2
You have been called to attend a circus and perform. This can be an agreement or against your will. Describe the act, and how you can achieve this, and whether it will be a success or failure. 30 minutes writing time.
“CIRCUS” by dhammza is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Paul Simpkins (Elliot Chester) – March 2026
Huddersfield Authors Circle 
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