The treatment of animals aside (thank goodness that’s dwindling now) I like the aesthetic, artistry and spectacle of the Victorian circus.
The 19th century saw the rise of family circuses in Europe, the UK and America, with traditional acts such as horse acts, trapeze, jugglers, clowns and tumblers taking centre stage.
There have been countless homages to the Victorian circus on stage and screen- from Alison Goldfrapp and her “dirty mares”, or horse – inspired burlesque dancers, to Emma Rice and her love of Angela Carter ‘s circus characters, so much so that she named her production company after the novel Wise Children – but I like these original images- so evocative of the 19th century era.
Hit The North 