Circus

Performers, Politics and Pop Culture

28 Apr – 8 Jul 2018

Main Gallery

Roll Up! Roll Up! In Spring 2018 we celebrated the 250th anniversary of Circus in Britain with a spectacular show: Circus: Performers, Politics and Pop Culture. You joined us for a balancing act of live performance and aerial acrobatics, film, photography, circus ephemera and design.

The exhibition presented elements of circus design through posters, pop culture and costume. Different viewpoints on the subject were uncovered through thematic exploration including Politics; Women in Circus, Equality and Inclusivity. The impact of circus on pop culture was highlighted through film, literature and music. Static exhibits were complemented by an ongoing programme of live aerial acts with star attraction pieces by performers in residence, Claire Crook aka Madam Mango and Rio Willett.

Performers in Residence: Claire Crook (Madam Mango), Rio Willett. Costumiers: Tina Bicât, Becky Truman, Rhiannon Matthews. Visual arts: Peter Lavery, Luke Stephenson, Posters from the Richley Archive, Liliana Robins.

Photo: Electric Egg

Photo: Electric Egg