Astley's Amphitheatre and the early circus in England, 1768-1830

Thesis

Founded in Lambeth in 1768 by the ex-cavalry sergeant Philip Astley (1742-1814), Astley's was one of the first entertainments to mix traditional acrobatic feats with the new trick-riding in a ring, thus founding the modern circus. As the leading example of the artform, the permanent Amphitheatre just south of Westminster Bridge went on to be immortalised by Dickens and parodied by Punch, before closure in 1893. This thesis charts the formative years of the institution and its contribution to an important yet distinctly arcane popular genre whose story has hitherto chiefly been the province of specialists and dilettanti, rather than the object of systematic historical, cultural and aesthetic analysis.

The chapters introduce the main artistic and organisational developments at Astley's and its rivalry with the neighbouring Royal Circus. This brought a stage into the formula and resulted in the grand ‘hippodramas,’ or equestrian plays, of the nineteenth century. Subsequent investigations are made into a social and economic life which is belied by the circus’ later image of separatism; and Astley's early struggles with the law and, to a lesser extent, respectability. The second half is devoted to Astleian spectacle: firstly the key role of its overall presentation and marketing in the development of graphic design, theatre architecture and stagecraft; secondly its various ingredients from ‘high,’ ‘low’ and possibly archaic cultures; and thirdly the generally conservative and imperialistic view of the geographical, political and natural world that Astley's communicated with its socially wide-ranging audiences.

Authors: Kwint, M

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-jnj0o52gr
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: amphitheatre; amphitheatres; Astley's; England; circus; Britain; Philip; Astley
• Subjects: Circus -- Great Britain -- History; Astley, Philip, 1742-1814; Amphitheaters -- Great Britain -- History; Astley's Amphitheatre