Father of the Modern Circus 'Billy Buttons' - The Life & Times of Philip Astley (Ward Steve)(Paperback)

The world of the circus has a long and colorful history but it was with a man named Philip Astley that the 'modern' circus was founded. It was 250 years ago, in April 1768, that Astley pegged out a circular ride on the banks of the river Thames and gave performances of trick riding to a paying audience. Trick riding was nothing new, so what made Astley so popular? He was an accomplished horseman, a military hero and an instinctive showman. Above all, he was an entrepreneur who realized that people would pay good money to be entertained - and to be entertained well. He created the comic character of Billy Buttons, and other acts were added to his performances: clowns, rope dancers, tumblers and strongmen. The circus, as we might recognize it today, was born. Father of the Modern Circus - 'Billy Buttons' investigates the life and times of this veritable giant of the circus world.
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