| Beneath the Big Top: A Social History of the Circus in Britain Contributor(s): Ward, Steve (Author) |
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ISBN: 1783030496 ISBN-13: 9781783030491 Publisher: Pen and Sword History OUR PRICE: $22.46 Product Type: Paperback Published: November 2014 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Performing Arts | Circus - History | Military - General |
| Dewey: 791.3 |
| LCCN: 2015300869 |
| Physical Information: 0.9" H x 6.4" W x 9.2" (1.23 lbs) 232 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Beneath the Big Top is a social history of the circus, from its ancient roots to the rise of the 'modern' tented traveling shows. A performer and founder of a circus group, Steve Ward draws on eyewitness accounts and contemporary interviews to explore the triumphs and disasters of the circus world. He reveals the stories beneath the big top during the golden age of the circus and the lives of circus folk, which were equally colorful outside the ring: - Pablo Fanque, Britain's first black circus proprietor - The Chipperfield dynasty, who started out in 1684 on the frozen Thames - Katie Sandwina, world's strongest woman and part-time crime-fighter - The Sylvain brothers, who fell in love with the same woman in the ring |
Contributor Bio(s): Ward, Steve: - A former performer, teacher and director of a prize-winning youth circus, Steve Ward has worked for many years with circus groups worldwide. He has an MA researching the role of circus in education and has written widely on the subject. He has previously written two books on aspects of the circus, _Beneath the Big Top: A Social History of the Circus in Britain_ (2014) and _Sawdust Sisterhood: How Circus Empowered Women_ (2016). He still occasionally performs, creates and directs circus shows. |