Skip to main content

Contortionists

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources

Found in 36 Collections and/or Records:

Early Circus Programmes, c1800 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.1-28
Scope and Contents

Early British circus and variety programmes including Astley's, Batty's and Lord George Sanger's circus.

Dates: c1800 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes

Films, 1927 - 2007

 Series
Reference code: 178D13
Scope and Contents

Compilation of circus films showing acts on the ring as well as interviews with performers and proprietors, mainly produced by tv companies in the UK and Europe. Many of them narrated in German.

Dates: 1927 - 2007
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Films, c1950 - 1959

 Series
Reference code: 178D24
Scope and Contents

Please notice that 178D24.4 contains scenes of animal cruelty and human fatalities. Copies of films on DVD format showing performers at various circus around the world, travelling scenes, scenic views, performers behind the scenes, film sets. Black and white and colour, sound.

Dates: c1950 - 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Digger Pugh Collection

Joseph Poole's New Myriorama Programme, 8 January 1900

 Item
Reference code: 178K53.56
Scope and Contents Town Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Grand re-opening, The Boer War, General Buller's March, The Battle of Elandslaagte, Charing Cross, London, The Royal Navy Review, Osborne, The Bay of Biscay, River Tagus, Gibraltar, Alexandria, Interior of the mosque of El Choree, Our troops at the Pyramids, The Sphinx, Manfalout, The Temple of Karnac, Erment, Elephantina, The Throne of Pharaoh at Philae, Nubia, Abou Simbel, Battle of Tamai, Khartoum, South Africa, General Buller's march, The slave trade,...
Dates: 8 January 1900
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Programmes

Lord George Sanger's Great Hippodramatic and Spectacular Circus Programme, c1800 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.17
Scope and Contents Mdlles. Marie and Yetta on the lofty wire, Brothers Artois on the horizontal bar, James Holloway, Brothers Austin, Mr. Joseph Craston with clairboyant and talking horse, Tipster, Mdlles. Violet, Topsy and Rose, on the slack wire, H. Austin, equestrian act, Dance Linwood, clown, Prof. James in ladder act, Mdlle. Florezell, contorsionist act, Mdlle. Lillian equestrian act, James Holloway clown, Madame Pauline de Vere lion tamer, Harry Whitely's singing donkey, Messrs. Cottrell and Austen,...
Dates: c1800 - 1899
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes / Early Circus Programmes

Newspaper Cuttings, 1937 - 2003

 Series
Reference code: 178G61
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cuttings and magazines containing articles related to Digger Pugh acts, circus acts and performances, Great Yarmouth Circus and Sanger Circus. Also an issue of New Career Girl, The Performer, The White Tops and Osterreich Illustrierte.

Dates: 1937 - 2003
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Digger Pugh Collection

Oversize Mixed Posters Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1970 - 1979

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R11.650-679
Scope and Contents

Posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell including variety and music hall, fairgrounds and circus.

Dates: c1970 - 1979
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Charles Taylor Collection / Posters

Posters, c1937 - 1989

 Series
Reference code: 178R11
Scope and Contents

A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.

Dates: c1937 - 1989
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Charles Taylor Collection

Posters, c1880 - 1940

 Series
Reference code: 178R12
Scope and Contents

Large collection of Argyle Theatre posters.

Dates: c1880 - 1940
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection

Posters, c1800 - 2011

 Series
Reference code: 178R47
Scope and Contents

A wide range of British and international circus and menagerie posters ranging from the 19th to the 21st century including Astley's Amphitheatre, Pablo Fanque, Polito, Bostock and Wombwell, Ducrow, Cooke, Hengler, Sanger, Smart, Gerry Cottle, Bertram Mills, Chipperfield's, Robert Brothers, Fossett, Blackpool Tower, Billy Russell, Belle Vue, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, Austen Brothers and many more.

Dates: c1800 - 2011
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Powell's Circus Royal Poster, c1800 - 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R47.30
Scope and Contents London Street, Greenwich. Sir John Falstaff, Shylock and Richard The Third, Mr. Powell, Madlle La Fayette and Mr. Henderson upon three tightropes, Mamaluke Chiefs, Mr. C. Adams and the Inca of Peru or Sun Worshipper, Mr. Brown aerial Pole Dance, Mr. Samwell, Old English act, Messrs. Brown and Grant, the Indian Rubber Men, Master Polaski in The Little Grenadier, Master J. Hengler in Cries of London, Mrs. Henderson as the Maid of Saragossa, Mr. Powell as Sir John Falstaff, Shylock, Richard...
Dates: c1800 - 1899
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters / Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters

Programmes, 1970 - 1981

 Series
Reference code: 178K41
Scope and Contents

Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.

Dates: 1970 - 1981
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Christopher Palmer Collection

Programmes, c1800 - 2019

 Series
Reference code: 178K43
Scope and Contents

A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.

Dates: c1800 - 2019
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection

Royal English Circus Programme, Monday 13 May 1901 and during the week

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.16
Scope and Contents Windmill Lane, Cape Hill, Smethwick. Master Tony Transfield, Gregory and Shadow comedy act, H. Yelding, Miss Winnie Scott soubrette and dancer, Bros. Volbecque comedy acrobatic act, Mdlle. Allen meneage act, Princess Annie contorsionist act, The Three Charms aerial act, H. Sloan equestrian act, Miss Felix, Dan Gregory, Miss Marie Winsome impersonator, Princess Annie equestrian act, Transfield's cinematograph, God Save the King, Grand Final March. Blue type on off white background listing...
Dates: Monday 13 May 1901 and during the week
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes / Early Circus Programmes

The Great Olympia Hippodrome and Circus Programme, 1887

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.14
Scope and Contents Lilliputian pony act by Fe Fo Fi Fum, The Enchanted Hats comedy act by Messieurs Etherdo and Pugh, Senor George equestrian act, Alber clown, Achmet Pasha slack wire act, La Poste by Mr. Hull equestrian act, Rumbo clown, Mephisto contorsionist, Roman Games, Ladies' Steeple-Chase, Olympian Race, Pigmy Flat Race, Roman Chariot Race, Broncho Horses, Mdlle. Mancini equestrian act, Jolly Juba clown, Daring Globe Ascension by Mons. Rossini, Mons. Austin aerial act, Mons. Emile equestrian act, Mm....
Dates: 1887
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Programmes / Early Circus Programmes

Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Circus Posters, c1800 - 1930

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178R47.1-51
Scope and Contents

Early circus and menagerie posters including Polito's menagerie, Astley's Amphitheatre and Pablo Fanque's, Sanger's, Powell's, Ducrow's, Cooke's and Hengler's circuses among others.

Dates: c1800 - 1930
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Circus Friends Association Collection / Posters

Public only; | Accessibility statement | v3.5.0