Showmen in the spotlight as circus exhibition rolls into town
Pictured is Professor Vanessa Toulmin with exhibits from the new cirus history exhibition at Sheffield Universitys,Western Bank Library
AN EXHIBITION covering 250 years of British circus history opened in Sheffield this week.
Costumes, posters and props are on display at the National Fairground Archive in the Western Bank Library of the University of Sheffield until April 30.
Circus Showmen: Innovators Who Shaped the Circus is based on material in the university’s National Fairground Archive and is curated by Prof Vanessa Toulin and Amanda Bernstein.
The exhibition begins with ‘the father of modern circus’ Philip Astley and features fairground showmen Lord George Sanger, Bertram Mills, Billy Smart and Gerry Cottle.
Prof Toulmin said it was “a celebration of the world’s greatest-ever showmen who shaped the circus and created magical and exhilarating world-class shows and events”.
There is also a history of the most famous venue for circus in the UK, Blackpool Tower, and full-sized models of Coco the Clown and Charlie Cairoli.
The exhibition is open 9am-7pm Monday to Friday and noon to 6pm Saturday and Sundays.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sheffield school massage sessions under fire
- SHEFFIELD UNITED: Blades told to turn on style in bid to regain second place: Urges Danny Wilson
- A tough-talking TV show has put the spotlight on a Sheffield restaurant. Julia Armstrong went to see what has changed...
- Biobank study will add to knowledge
- Fleetwood Mac, Sheffield Arena - REVIEW AND SLIDESHOW
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.