The first
King Pole Extra presents a selection of British circus programmes of
the 1950s, a golden period of this exciting form of entertainment,
when Britain had three big touring shows and major winter seasons at
Olympia, Haringay, Belle Vue, Kelvin Hall and elsewhere. In these
and most of the smaller shows, there was an emphasis on traditional
skills, including bareback riding, a British speciality which is
sadly no longer ubiquitous in our circus rings. In terms of
transport, tents and equipment, there have been great technological
advances, however with better vehicles, more comfortable living
wagons, ambitious lighting and sound systems, plastic big tops and
power winches to aid their erection, compared to life in the 50s,
with ex-army transport, more basic living conditions and canvas
tents which became heavy when wet. |
