Philip Astley
founded the circus as an extension of his riding school in 1768
and trick riding remained the central act in circus for more
than one hundred years. Comic riding acts such as The Taylor
of Brentford, which Andrew
Ducrow first performed at Astley’s Royal Circus in the early
19th century are still performed today. Riding was the most
common mode of transport at the time and this may explain its
popularity. Everyone who rode a horse could appreciate the difficulty
of performing tricks upon its back.
A popular trick rider of the 19th century was Pablo
Fanque, who was the first black equestrian in a circus.
The most spectacular acrobatic movement on horseback was that
performed by Lucio Cristiani in the 1920s and 1930s. He could
somersault from one bareback horse over a second, to land on
a third, as they cantered around the ring.
The image of the principal lady rider, dressed as a ballerina
in a tutu with cross gartered ballet shoes is captured here
in two pictures. The first is dated 1868 and shows a woman performing
a trick at Holborn Amphitheatre. The second is a photograph
of Florence Stephenson performing with Bertram
Mills’ Circus in the 1930s. One of Florence’s most famous
tricks included jumping through paper hoops (called balloons).
The same trick can be seen in the earlier engraving.
Introduction
