The Cambridge Companion to the Circus

An authoritative introduction to the specialised histories of the modern circus, its unique aesthetics, and its contemporary manifestations and scholarship.

Gillian Arrighi (Edited by), Jim Davis (Edited by)

9781108719223, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 July 2021

320 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.6 cm, 0.48 kg

'This structured collection of essays is a solid introduction to the circus itself and a substantial exploration of this growing area of academic studies … This is a worthy and informative addition to the field of circus studies, with potential as an introductory textbook, as a reference source, and for fieldwork … Recommended.' W. L. Svitavsky, Choice Connect

The Cambridge Companion to the Circus provides a complete guide for students, scholars, teachers, researchers, and practitioners who are seeking perspectives on the foundations and evolution of the modern circus, the contemporary extent of circus studies, and the specialised literature available to support further enquiries. The volume brings together an international group of established and emerging scholars working across the multi-disciplinary domain of circus studies to present a clear overview of the specialised histories, aesthetics and distinctive performances of the modern circus. In sixteen commissioned essays, it covers the origins in commercial equestrian performance during the late-eighteenth century to contemporary inflections of circus arts in major international festivals, educational environments, and social justice settings.

Introduction. The circus: reflecting and mediating the world Gillian Arrighi and Jim Davis
Part I. Trans-national Geographies of the Modern Circus: 1. The origins and growth of the modern circus Matthew Wittmann
2. Reconstruction, railroads, and race: the American circus in the gilded age and progressive era Sakina Hughes
3. Circus, colonialism and empire: the circus in Australasia and Asia Gillian Arrighi
4. The criollo circus (circus theatre) in Argentina: the emergence of a unique circus form in connection with the consolidation of the Argentine nation state Julieta Infantino
5. The past and present of Czech circus Hanuš Jordan and Veronika Štefanová
6. Catching on: Chinese acrobatics from China to the west in the twenty-first century Rosemary Farrell
Part II. Circus Acts and Aesthetics: 7. The equestrian circus Kim Baston
8. Animals, circus and war re-enactment: military action to colonial wars Peta Tait
9. Circus clowns Louise Peacock
10. Aerial performance: aerial aesthetics Kate Holmes
Part III. Circus: A Constantly Evolving Form: 11. Circus and somatic spectacularity on stage in the variety era Catherine M. Young
12. Becoming an art form: from 'Nouveau Cirque' to contemporary circus in Europe Agathe Dumont
13. Risky play and the global rise in youth circus Alisan Funk
14. Social circus: the rise of an 'inclusive' movement for collective creativity Jennifer Beth Spiegel
Part IV. Circus Studies Scholarship: 15. Methodologies in circus scholarship Charles R. Batson and Karen Fricker
16. Through the looking glass: multi-disciplinary perspectives in circus Anna-Sophie Jürgens.

Subject Areas: Equestrian & animal sports [WSN], Media, information & communication industries [KNT], Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Media studies [JFD], Popular culture [JFCA], Animal spectacles [ASZX], Circus [ASZW], Theatre: technical & background skills [ANH], Performance art [AFKP]