Difference between revisions of "Main Page"
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''CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. So keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to [[Special:Contact|contact]] us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.'' | ''CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. So keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to [[Special:Contact|contact]] us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.'' | ||
− | :'''WARNING: | + | :'''WARNING: Several videos on CIRCOPEDIA are presently unavailable. Our video archive is being transferred to a new host, and the missing videos will be available again shortly. Thank you for your patience. ''' |
:'''Dominique Jando''' | :'''Dominique Jando''' | ||
:Editor/Curator | :Editor/Curator |
Revision as of 20:54, 31 August 2013
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In The Spotlight
COCO
The clown Coco (1900–1974) was arguably, in the middle of the twentieth century (roughly from 1930 to 1970), the most recognizable augusteIn a classic European clown team, the comic, red-nosed character, as opposed to the elegant, whiteface Clown. in the British circus world, and for most of the same period, an iconic figure of Britain’s premier circus at the time, Bertram Mills Circus. In addition to his professional work, he was also noted for his charitable activities and his commitment to children’s wellbeing, for which he was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
His legal English name was Nicholai Polakovs (sometimes rendered as Poliakoff or Poliakov), but his original Russian name was in all probability Nikolai Polyakov—or Nikolai Petrovich Polyakov, to be complete, adding his father’s name in a patronymic form according to Russian practice. He was born on 5th October 1900 in a poor Jewish family in Dvinsk (today Daugavpils), in southwestern Latvia, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He had seven brothers and sisters.
Nicholai’s father, Piotr, was a cobbler who supplemented his scanty income by working as a property master in a local theatre. The family lived in a state of constant poverty, which surely didn’t improve when Piotr was drafted in the Imperial army during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. To help perk up his family’s miserable condition, five-year-old Nicholai took to singing in cafés, begging for a few scraps of food. It was a debut of sorts in show business—and indeed, Nicholai liked the attention it gave him.... (more...)
New Biographies
- Scott & Muriel, comedy magicians
- Walter Houc, Juggler
- Paul Freedman, Clown
- Coco, Clown
- The Andreu-Rivels, Clowns
New Videos
- Scott & Muriel, Comedy Magic (2008)
- The Halfwits, Comedy Acrobats (1977)
- The Gimma Boys, Acrobats (1968)
- Larry Griswold, Comedy Trampoline Act (1951)
- Charlie Cairoli & Co., Clown Entrée (1975)
Featured Oral Histories
- Alberto Zoppé, Equestrian - Interview (McCutcheon & Distasio, 2003)
- Olivier Taquin, Mime - Interview (Jando, 2008)
- Barry Lubin, Clown (Grandma) - Interview (Jando, 2008)
- Fumagalli, Clown - Interview (Jando, 2008)
- Kris Kremo, Juggler - Interview (Jando, 2007)
A Message from the Editor
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. So keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- WARNING: Several videos on CIRCOPEDIA are presently unavailable. Our video archive is being transferred to a new host, and the missing videos will be available again shortly. Thank you for your patience.
- Dominique Jando
- Editor/Curator