The Big Top

What attracts people to the circus is seeing people perform stunts that we think are physically impossible, to see animals that are dangerous being tamed.

People are fascinated by strange things and even the chance of seeing someone risk their life.

In Ancient Rome, they held an assortment of games, such as chariot racing, staged battles between different soldiers, and people being eaten by animals. Click here to watch video.

The circus we know today developed in the late 18th century. It started in Europe, then crossed over to America . Click here to watch video.

Cirque Nouveau - New circus

During the 60' and 70's, circuses started to lose their popularity. Cirque du Soleil changed the circus by turning it into a theatre with performances dancers and singers from different countries.   Click here to watch video.

The Ringmaster: this man is the Master of Ceremonies and introduces the acts.

The Ring: is the main stage of a circus.

The clown: there are many types of clowns, such as the Whiteface clown, which is the serious and bossy character. The Auguste clown is the troublemaker character who makes the Whiteface clown angry.

Classic situation; an act called the Lupino Mirror, the Auguste clown breaks the mirror, but he doesn't want to get in trouble with the Whiteface. He mimics the Whiteface's action as if he is the Whiteface's reflection. Click here to watch video.

Tightrope act: walking or riding a bike on a rope up high. Click here to watch video.

Acrobatics: acts where people balance on each other and perform other stunts. Click here to watch video.

Hoopers: performers who work with Hula Hoops. Click here to watch video.

Jugglers: performers who toss many objects in the air and catch them.  These objects often include fire or sharp knives. Click here to watch video.

Trampoline: is a gymnastic and recreational device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs.

Unicycle: a bicycle with only one wheel. Uni ~ one, bi ~ two and tri ~ three. Click here to watch video.

Trapeze Artistes: these high-flying performers work on large swings, they leap and catch each other in mid-air. Click here to watch video.

Mime: similar to a clown, but performs acts as silent stories.  For example,  he might give the illusion that he is trapped in a small room. Click here to watch video.

Fire Eater: this performer will swallow and then blow out the fire. Click here to watch video.

Sword Swallower: this person will put swords or long knives down their throats. Click here to watch video.

Knife Thrower: this artiste can throw knives accurately, even at a moving target. Click here to watch video.

Contortionist: someone who can bend his or her body into different positions. Click here to watch video.

Human Cannonball: these performers will shoot themselves out of a large cannon. Click here to watch video.

Stilt Walkers: these performers are often clowns.  They walk on stilts, which are long wooden extensions made to look like long legs. Click here to watch video.

Safety net: this is what protects performers if they fall from a great height. To create more suspense, some circuses might not use it.

Plate Spinners: are artistes that balance plates by spinning them on sticks. Click here to watch video.

Animal Tamers: are performers who get ferocious lions and tigers to perform tricks such as jumping through hoops. Click here to watch video.

Sideshow: outside of the big top are smaller tents where you can see strange people. For instance, a woman with a beard. Click here to watch video.

Someone who has no fear, he or she can be dared to do something dangerous.

"I think that daredevil is going to get killed."

Click here to watch video.

Shockers: Nowadays, people pay money to see other people hurt themselves. For example, this man  put a sharp object through his body. Click here to watch video.

Animal Rights: Circuses today don't have a lot of animal acts. It is now considered cruel to use animals in performances. Click here to watch video.

Circus Parade: When the circus comes to town, they will have a street parade. Click here to watch video.

Birthday clown: Sometimes, parents will hire a clown for their child's birthday party. The clown will perform tricks and make balloon animals. Click here to watch video.

Look! The circus has come to town!

If you see someone who is dressed very strangely, or who has an unusual hairstyle, then this is what you might say as a joke.

The Sideshow of the circus would usually have strange looking people. So the joke is that if a person is dressed very strangely, then they should be in the circus.

Death-defying act

A performance that may result in death.

"The acrobat will now perform his death-defying act."