A word about the definitions. No two circuses are alike but, with the broadening range of experiences on offer, it can be helpful to clarify what sort of production you are likely to see. ‘Classic’ here does not necessarily mean animal acts (although it may); it refers instead to a traditional compilation of unconnected acts. ‘New’ refers to productions which compile acts tied together with an ongoing theme or narrative; ‘Contemporary’ relates to productions which focus on the conceptual, often working within a specific discipline, and combining with dance and post-dramatic theatre dramaturgies.
We also have ‘circus-theatre’ – companies that focus on theatrical story-telling, but utilising some traditionally circus-based skills to do so, and ‘aerial dance’, a discipline that has sprung from a choreographic start point using aerial techniques. (There are also many companies that act mainly as event organisers or agencies, which are not included here).
Sometimes companies go dark for several years and then reappear, or are sometimes never seen again. Links have been removed from those who haven’t been active for a while. Please get in touch to add any updates!
ACROJOU – Contemporary
ASTRAL CIRCUS – Classic
BARELY METHODICAL TROUPE – Circus-theatre
BASSLINE CIRCUS: New
BIG KID CIRCUS – Classic
BILLI SMILES CIRCUS – Classic
BILLY SMART’S CIRCUS- Classic
BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS – New/Classic
CHAPLIN’S CIRCUS – New
CHARLES CHIPPERFIELD CIRCUS – Classic
CHINESE STATE CIRCUS – New
CIRCUMFERENCE – Contemporary
CIRCUS FERREL – New
CIRCUS FANTASIA – Classic
CIRCUS FUNTASIA – Classic
CIRCUS GINNETT – Classic
CIRCUS OF HORRORS – New
CIRCUS MONDAO – Classic
CIRCUS PAZAZ – Classic
CIRCUS SALLAI – Classic
CIRCUS STARR – Classic
CIRCUS TYANNA – Classic
CIRCUS VEGAS – Classic
CIRCUS WONDERLAND – Classic
CIRCUS ZYAIR – Classic
CIRQUE BERSERK – Classic
CIRQUE DU HILARIOUS – Classic
CIRQUE NORMANDIE – Classic
CITRUS ARTS – Circus-theatre
CONTINENTAL CIRCUS BERLIN – Classic
CRASHMAT COLLECTIVE – Contemporary
DIZZY O’DARE – Circus-theatre
GANDINI JUGGLING – Contemporary
GANDEY’S CIRCUS – Classic
GERRY COTTLE’S CIRCUS – Classic
GIFFORDS CIRCUS – New
GRAVITY & LEVITY – Aerial dance
HAPPY’S CIRCUS – Classic
HIKAPEE – Circus-theatre
HIPPODROME GREAT YARMOUTH – Classic/New
INSECT CIRCUS – New
INVISIBLE CIRCUS – New
JAY MILLER’S CIRCUS – Classic
JOHN LAWSON’S CIRCUS – Classic
LET’S CIRCUS – Classic
LIVING ROOM CIRCUS – Contemporary
LOST IN TRANSLATION – Circus-theatre
MARY BIJOU CABARET AND SOCIAL CLUB – New
MIMBRE – Contemporary
MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS – New
MR FIPS WONDER CIRCUS – Classic
NEARLY THERE YET – Circus-theatre
NETHERLANDS NATIONAL CIRCUS – Classic
NATIONAL FESTIVAL CIRCUS – Classic
NOFIT STATE CIRCUS – New/Contemporary
OCKHAM’S RAZOR – Contemporary / Aerial dance
PANGOTTIC – New
PANIC CIRCUS – New
PAULOS CIRCUS – New
PETER JOLLY’S CIRCUS – Classic
PINDERS CIRCUS – Classic
PIRATES OF THE CARABINA – Contemporary
PLANET CIRCUS – Classic
ROGUEPLAY THEATRE – Circus-theatre
RUSSELL’S INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS – Classic
SANTUS CIRCUS – Classic
SCARABEUS – Aerial dance
SILVER LINING: New/Circus-theatre
SQUARE PEG – Circus-theatre
STUMBLE DANCE CIRCUS – Contemporary
SWAMP CIRCUS – New
TUMBLE CIRCUS – New
UNCLE SAM’S GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS – Classic
UPSWING – Circus-theatre / Aerial dance
WIRED AERIAL THEATRE – Circus-theatre / Aerial dance
WONDER CIRCUS – Classic
WOOKEY HOLE CIRCUS – Classic
ZIPPOS CIRCUS – Classic
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[…] a start, I have begun to compile a list of websites for UK circuses – a quick click through will illustrate the various levels of professionalism in their […]
[…] My excitement tingled as I drove towards Apeldoorn for the performance, unsure of how I would find this traditional format, complete with horses, camels and elephants. Whilst writing for this site, I am a firm believer in the literal meaning of ‘contemporary circus’; that is, circus of the moment, rather than something defined by a particular set of artistic principles. In spite of this, the majority of my viewing experience comes from the performance categories commonly referred to as ‘new’ and ‘contemporary’ circus, which have moved away a from traditional compilation of disparate acts into more concept driven production. (See my definitions here.) […]
Glad you liked my blog ‘I want to join the Circus’ great to see someone is sharing their love of the big top.
[…] in Southsea. The tenting circuses are out in force this year, so do keep your eyes peeled to see who might pitch up near […]
[…] Amongst the tenting troupes, Billi Smiles are appearing within the M25 from 1-6th and, as many don’t publicise their dates until a week before the show, it’s always worth checking back on this list. […]
Hi! I wonder what you think of these…?: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/circus-girls/episode-guide
Barely Methodical Troupe
Oh yes, of course, thanks!
its 2016, how is Paulos Circus “New”?
When I made the list, the info I could find about them on the web suggested that they tie their acts together with a narrative, which is a step away from the strict classical model. I haven’t any first hand experience though, so can change it if this is incorrect?
(I also agree that the current labels we have for different strands of circus-based performance aren’t accurate any more, but time moved on and the names seem to have stuck)
My learned friend Ira, suggested ‘revival’ as a descriptor. Not in a pejorative sense but for act or circuses that reference the past. If we went along with that taxonomy we might have ‘revival’, ‘narrative’ and ‘abstract’? Might that cover everything? 🙂
Ooh, that is interesting! I don’t think those terms include everything though… something doesn’t have to be abstract to be non-narrative, for example. A show could still convey meaning but through composition and semiotic layering rather than story-telling. I could also see problems with shows that are not reviving anything but, rather, maintaining a tradition. As with anything linguistic though, labels come through use rather than design in almost all cases, so if the majority of the circus world is using one thing I guess that’s stuck whether I like it or not!