Film which uses the University of Sheffield's National Fairground Archive to explore the history of the circus, from Billy Smart to Gerry Cottle and Archaos to Cirque du Soleil.
Roll up! Roll up! Join Timeshift under the big top for unique access to the University of Sheffield's National Fairground Archive which tells the story of the circus. From Billy Smart to Gerry Cottle and Archaos to Cirque du Soleil, the documentary captures the appeal of this enduring mass entertainment. Find out what a josser is, discover why clowns are one of the few acts to achieve lasting celebrity and marvel at the sheer spectacle of some of the biggest circuses of all time.
In an age when almost every form of popular entertainment owes something to the circus, this is a nostalgic journey into the origins of one of the ultimate expressions of human athleticism and showmanship.
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Clips
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When the circus comes to town
Duration: 01:37
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The superstitions of the circus
Duration: 00:22
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The language of the circus
Duration: 01:05
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Julian Rhind-Tutt |
| Executive Producer | Michael Poole |
| Producer | Rebecca Whyte |
| Director | Rebecca Whyte |
| Series Producer | Ben Southwell |
Broadcasts
- Tue 9 Aug 2011 21:00
- Wed 10 Aug 2011 03:20
- Thu 11 Aug 2011 23:00
- Mon 20 Feb 2012 20:00
- Tue 21 Feb 2012 01:20
- Sun 17 Jun 2012 20:00
- Thu 24 Jan 2013 01:00
- Tue 25 Nov 2014 22:30
- Fri 23 Oct 2015 00:00
- Mon 26 Oct 2015 02:05