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Introduction
By the mid-19th century the larger touring circuses began to exhibit side shows. These would sometimes include what were then called ‘human oddities’, Siamese twins, giants, bearded ladies, dwarfs (then known as Midgets), people without arms or legs, and people who could perform unusual acts such as snake charming. Side shows also included people from ethnic groups. These acts would today be considered as offensive and racist but in the late 19th century were popular.
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Cirka |
An increase in public interest in science and evolution had been prompted by the writings of Charles Darwin among others. Circus proprietors borrowed from the language of science to ‘exhibit’ their performers. In America people were ‘displayed’ as ‘exhibits’ in ‘Museums’. The most famous of these Museums was Barnum’s ‘Hall of Living Curiosities’ in New York.
Performances of side shows were sometimes accompanied by pamphlets describing the physical condition of the ‘exhibits’ and explaining their scientific significance. The pamphlets also contained quotes from notable people who had seen the exhibit and could vouch for its authenticity. In addition postcards of freaks were very popular – often manufactured in a studio to exaggerate their condition. Lavinia Warren, Tom Thumb’s wife, had 50,000 images of herself printed in one go. These were displayed in front of the ‘exhibits’ and sold to the audience for profit. Barnum and Bailey’s Hall of Living Curiosities closed in 1908 because the proprietors were receiving too many letters of complaint.
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Two Extraordinary Individuals |
The Freak show continued in smaller circuses as part of their side shows. Side shows were displayed on the way into the big top tent. They would have a central pit where the exhibits ‘performed’ surrounded by an audience walkway. Larger circuses with 12 to 15 exhibits would display them in the Midway, the long oval tent leading to the main show. Circuses also had what were known as ‘gaffed freaks’ where people pretended to be freaks by dressing up. Bertram Mills’ circus included freaks in its side shows.
By the 1940s freak shows were considered distasteful and morally unacceptable and the acts slowly began to disappear.
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19th Century Freak Show Posters |
