Difference between revisions of "Main Page"

Revision as of 02:06, 29 January 2013 (view source) Djando (Talk | contribs) ← Older edit		Revision as of 19:49, 2 February 2013 (view source) Djando (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
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	==In The Spotlight==		==In The Spotlight==
−	===JULIUS GLEICH===	+	===NORMAN BARRETT===
−	[[File:Julius_Gleich.jpeg|right|100px]]Circus Gleich had a relatively short existence (1928-1937), but it was, in the early 1930s, one of the largest and most popular traveling circuses in Europe. It was emblematic of an era when German circuses were trying to match the gigantism of their American counterparts—a chimera that led several of them to bankruptcy. Its founder, Julius Gleich (1886-1951), was born in Austria, the son of a metal turner. He apparently entered the circus world as a musician. In the biography published later by his circus’s Press Department, it was said that he had been in the United States at a young age, where he had been exposed to the American giant three-ring circuses, and then returned to Europe, purchased a cart and two horses, and started his own business. More historically grounded is Julius Gleich's presence in the 1910s as a bandleader in prominent traveling circuses of the era, such as the Czech Circus Kludsky or the German Circus Blumenfeld. Gleich eventually married Karola Häni (b.1894), one of the five Häni sisters, who belonged to a well-known Swiss circus family.... ([[Julius Gleich|more...]])	+	[[File:Norman Barrett MBE.jpg|right|100px]]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...]])
	==New Biographies==		==New Biographies==
		+
	* [[Dmitry Chernov]], Juggler		* [[Dmitry Chernov]], Juggler
	* [[Jakob Busch]], Circus Owner		* [[Jakob Busch]], Circus Owner
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	==New Videos==		==New Videos==
		+
	* [[Flying_Caceres_Video_1983|The Flying Caceres]], Flying Trapeze (1983)		* [[Flying_Caceres_Video_1983|The Flying Caceres]], Flying Trapeze (1983)
	* [[Pavel_Lavrik_Video_1988|Pavel & Natalia Lavrik]], Rolla-Bolla (1988)		* [[Pavel_Lavrik_Video_1988|Pavel & Natalia Lavrik]], Rolla-Bolla (1988)
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	==Featured Oral Histories==		==Featured Oral Histories==
		+
	* [[Alberto_Zoppé_Interview_2003|Alberto Zoppé]], Equestrian - Interview (McCutcheon & Distasio, 2003)		* [[Alberto_Zoppé_Interview_2003|Alberto Zoppé]], Equestrian - Interview (McCutcheon & Distasio, 2003)
	* [[Olivier Taquin Interview 2008|Olivier Taquin]], Mime - Interview (Jando, 2008)		* [[Olivier Taquin Interview 2008|Olivier Taquin]], Mime - Interview (Jando, 2008)

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Revision as of 19:49, 2 February 2013

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.

Artists and Acts Circus Specialties Circuses Circus History

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In The Spotlight

NORMAN BARRETT

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.... (more...)

New Biographies

• Dmitry Chernov, Juggler
• Jakob Busch, Circus Owner
• Oliver Groszer, Juggler
• Julius Gleich, Circus Owner
• The Codonas, Aerialists

New Videos

• The Flying Caceres, Flying Trapeze (1983)
• Pavel & Natalia Lavrik, Rolla-Bolla (1988)
• Nazi Shiraï, Juggler (1966)
• Mstislav Zapashny, Jr., Tiger Act (2005)
• Moonyang Troupe, flying Act (c.2005)

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.

Dominique Jando

Editor/Curator