A short clip from the BBC 4 documentary 'When the Circus Comes to Town', giving a brief description of some of the superstitions within the circus environment.
Documentary description:
'Roll up! Roll up! Join Timeshift under the big top for unique access to the University of Sheffield's National Fairground Archive which tells the story of the circus. From Billy Smart to Gerry Cottle and Archaos to Cirque du Soleil, the documentary captures the appeal of this enduring mass entertainment. Find out what a josser is, discover why clowns are one of the few acts to achieve lasting celebrity and marvel at the sheer spectacle of some of the biggest circuses of all time. In an age when almost every form of popular entertainment owes something to the circus, When the Circus Comes to Town is a nostalgic journey into the origins of one of the ultimate expressions of human athleticism and showmanship.'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0135kkp link to documentary
Notes taken from the documentary
When The Circus Comes To Town
- Second World War had passed
- looked at an old friend to cheer itself up
- something quite amazing about a blank space of park that is filled up by a circus....turns into Vegas
- much needed dazzle to an age of austerity
- big top = the stuff of dreams
- pure magic to young eyes
- atmosphere, smell, artistry
- explosion of delights
- "exotic", never saw people from other countries/nations
- "who are these people? where were they yesterday? where will they be tomorrow?"
Language
- distinct language
- own means of communication
- mix of italian, latin, romany, army slang
- dogs = buffers
- food = munjari (sp)
- circus ground = toba
- money = jinari (sp)
- women = mozzys
- outsider = josser (who must prove themselves)
- circus glossary only known by circus people
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