Circus Acts and Attractions

A traditional circus performance is typically led by a ringmaster, who presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the show flowing.

Animal Acts

Historically, a variety of animals have been used in circus acts. Whilst the types of animals used vary from circus to circus, the most common are elephants, lions, tigers, horses, birds, sea lions and domestic animals such as dogs.

Initially, exotic animals were used simply as a display, and it wasn't until later that the first equestrian acts were introduced, followed by big cat and elephant acts. The first wild animal trainer in American circus history is thought to be Isaac A. Van Amburgh, who entered a cage with several big cats in 1833.

Circus Acts

Clowns are common to most circuses and are typically skilled in many circus acts. Juggling is one of the most common acts in a circus; the combination of gymnastics and juggling is known as equilibristics and includes acts such as the rolling globe or plate spinning. Other common acts include a variety of gymnastics (including tumbling and trampoline), acrobatics, contortion, aerial acts (such as aerial silk, trapeze, corde lisse), stilts and a variety of other routines.

Some circuses include sideshow acts and daredevil stunt acts such as magic shows fire eating, human cannonball, knife throwing, strong man or sword swallowing. A popular sideshow attraction from the early 19th century was the flea circus, where fleas were attached to props and viewed through a Fresnel lens.