Main Page

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

Oral History Photo Archive Video Archive Links

In the Spotlight

CHARLIE CAIROLI

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...)

New Biographies

• The Kurziamovi, Arialists
• Nadia Houcke, Equestrienne
• Cirque Léonce, Circuses
• Cirque Cassuli, Circuses
• Marthe and Juliette Vesque, History

New Videos

• The Kurziamovi, Aerial Straps (1998)
• The Hassani Troupe, Moroccan Tumblers (1966)
• Charlie Cairoli & Co., Clowns (1966)
• The Olate Family, Dog Act (2001)
• The Cairolis, Clowns (1943)

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

Dominique Jando

Editor/Curator