Difference between revisions of "Main Page"

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==In the Spotlight==
 
==In the Spotlight==
  
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===NORMAN BARRETT, M.B.E.===  
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===CHARLIE CAIROLI===  
  
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[[Image:Norman_Barrett_MBE.jpg|right|200px]]Over many years, Norman Barrett had become the most loved and best known circus personality in Great Britain—regarded as "The World’s Greatest Ringmaster," and dubbed by leading British newspaper ''The Observer'', "The Ringmaster’s Ringmaster." He was born in 1935, made his professional debut in the sawdust ring at the age of twelve, and as these lines were written in 2011, showed no sign of retirement. The best comments ever made about this most charming man were written by Ken Dodd, Britain’s legendary stand-up comedian: "A smashing bloke and a very very nice man… A loyal friend and a very very very nice man." Quite an amazing epitaph for anybody! The man known today as a "Lord of the Ring" was born Arthur Norman Barrett on November 20, 1935 in York, England to farming folk, George and Winifred Barrett, who were at the time taking a break from the circus life they enjoyed. Norman’s grandfather, also George Barrett, had been the owner of a small iron and steel works in Bradford, West Yorkshire; it was there that Norman’s father developed his love of horses, since the company’s products were delivered by dray horses.... ([[Norman Barrett|more...]])
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[[Image:Norman_Barrett_MBE.jpg|right|200px]]A true circus legend, Charlie Cairoli (1910-1980) was one of the greatest and most creative augustes of the second half of twentieth century, even though he had begun his brilliant career long before the Second World War. The son of an already famous clown, Charlie, who was French (albeit of Italian descent and born in Italy), became after the war England’s most celebrated clown—and a British citizen. He worked for an unprecedented period of forty years, from 1939 through 1979, at Blackpool’s Tower Circus, of which he became the undisputed star and, without a doubt, the most popular attraction. He was born Carletto Cairoli on February 15, 1910 in Affori, a district of Milan in Italy, where his parents were appearing with their musical act. His mother, Eugénie, was born Ricono, an old French circus family of Italian origins—like so many ancient circus families anywhere else in the world. As for Jean-Marie Cairoli (1879-1956), Carletto’s father, he was born in Moissac, in the southwest of France, on April 9, 1879. He had began his career as a juggler and foot juggler, and had turned into a musical "eccentric," with his wife as his partner. As a matter of fact, Jean-Marie Cairoli became a clown against his will and by accident... ([[Charlie Cairoli|more...]])
  
 
==New Biographies==
 
==New Biographies==

Revision as of 03:38, 1 September 2011

Welcome to Circopedia,
the free encyclopedia of the international circus.
A project of the Big Apple Circus,
inspired and funded by the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation.

In the Spotlight

CHARLIE CAIROLI

Norman Barrett MBE.jpg
A true circus legend, Charlie Cairoli (1910-1980) was one of the greatest and most creative augustes of the second half of twentieth century, even though he had begun his brilliant career long before the Second World War. The son of an already famous clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team., Charlie, who was French (albeit of Italian descent and born in Italy), became after the war England’s most celebrated clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.—and a British citizen. He worked for an unprecedented period of forty years, from 1939 through 1979, at Blackpool’s Tower Circus, of which he became the undisputed star and, without a doubt, the most popular attraction(Russian) A circus act that can occupy up to the entire second half of a circus performance.. He was born Carletto Cairoli on February 15, 1910 in Affori, a district of Milan in Italy, where his parents were appearing with their musical act. His mother, Eugénie, was born Ricono, an old French circus family of Italian origins—like so many ancient circus families anywhere else in the world. As for Jean-Marie Cairoli (1879-1956), Carletto’s father, he was born in Moissac, in the southwest of France, on April 9, 1879. He had began his career as a juggler and foot juggler, and had turned into a musical "eccentric," with his wife as his partner. As a matter of fact, Jean-Marie Cairoli became a clown against his will and by accident... (more...)

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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. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow!
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