Dates

• Existence: 1773 - 1891

Biography

Astley's Amphitheatre also known as Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre, was founded by circus performer and entrepreneur Philip Astley in 1773 in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. Astley’s was considered the first home of modern circus and as such had a lot of prestige among circus impresarios, who took over its management over the years.

The Amphitheatre was built out of wood and lit up by candlelight and later gas, which made if vulnerable to fire. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt on several occasion including in 1794 and 1803.

Astley achieved such prestige during his lifetime that his amphitheatre continued operating long after his death first managed by his brother and then by some of the most successful names in British circus including Andrew Ducrow, William Batty, William Cooke and George Sanger who acquired it in 1871 and operated it for more than twenty years.

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