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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.

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In The Spotlight

FREDDY OSLER

In the 1970s, triple-somersaulter Freddy Osler was the most famous and arguably the greatest flyerAn acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying act, or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboard). of what was known then as the South African school of flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)—whose troupes had invaded the European circus scene. Born Frederick Weppenaar in South Africa, he learned to fly with Keith Osler Anderson, a puppeteer and stage designer who had developed a passion for circus and flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze). (In 1973, Keith Anderson would create the Hi-Fli Trapeze Training School at the YMCA in Observatory, Cape Town, which defined the South African school of flyers, and produced most of them.) Freddy Weppenaar debuted with the Flying Oslers in 1967, when the troupe got its first European engagement at the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth, England. The act was then composed of Keith Anderson, Tommy Kieser, and Freddy Weppenaar, (flyers), and Mike Redpath (catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air.). There were not many great flying acts in Europe at the time, and the Flying Oslers began an impressive career that led them to practically all the major European circuses of the period.... (more...)

New Biographies

• Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe, Chinese Acrobats
• The Charlivels, Acrobats
• Freddy Osler, Aerialist
• Paul Jung, Clown
• The Kurziamovi, Aerialists

New Videos

• Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe, Rope Spinning (2010)
• Rob Torres, Comedy Juggling (2010)
• X Bud Roses, Contortionists (2010)
• The Kenyan Boys, Chinese Pole Act (2010)
• Rob Torres, Clown (2010)

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