Broadside ballad royal circus (1 Ergebnisse)

Eleven verses, set in two columns, as performed by Miss Crofts and Master Wilton. Untrimmed, laid down on modern paper within a double ruled border. v.g. 35.5 x 24.5cm. Unrecorded on ESTC, or WorldCat. In 1782 the equestrian Charles Hughes, together with Charles Dibdin the Elder, opened the Royal Circus (later the Surrey Theatre) in St. George's Fields, a few hundred yards south of Westminster Bridge. 'The licences granted to Astley's and the Royal Circus 'for public dancing and music' and 'for other public entertainments of the like kind' were broadly interpreted to include not only displays of equestrianism and circus acts but a variety of lesser dramatic entertainments as well.' Originally these consisted of burlettas, pantomimes, and ballets d'action, for whose performance a separate 'dramatic' company (as opposed to the 'equestrian' company) of professional actors, singers, and dancers was engaged. At the same time the circus artists, in keeping with the versatility that has always been expected of them, frequently helped out as well. Thus a graceful equestrienne might interpret the role of a young prince in the opening stage spectacle, adding a piquant note by dressing in close-fitting breeches, while a featured rope-dancer or strongman might appear as Harlequin or a bereaved father in the concluding pantomime.' ref: Saxon, A.H. The Circus as Theatre: Astley's and Its Actors in the Age of Romanticism. 1975. Miss Crofts (fl 1786-1790) first came to public attention acting and dancing at Hughes's Royal Circus in St George's Fields. On 28th October 1786 she was an unspecified character in the burletta 'The Peckham Gardener'. On 31st October the Royal Circus bill announced amongst other pleasures, 'N.B. Hughes's famous horse Chiliby, will be rode every Evening this week by Miss Croft.' Ref: A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800. SIU Press, 1975.…