Philip Astley is considered the father of modern circus, many of the elements we now consider synonymous with the magical big top were developed by Astley and his wife. In 1768 he added acrobats, rope-walkers and clowns to the typical line up of trick-riding displays. Writer, actor, performer and ringmaster himself, Chris Barltrop presents a one-man play of Astley’s life, celebrating 250 years of circus. Recently returning from Edinburgh Festival, Barltrop’s Audacious Mr Astley reveals both the career and the personality of the man that revolutionised circus.
The performance is part of Off the Shelf's Circus 250 strand – there are plenty more events like this in the programme.
This event is one of our Off the Shelf 2018 picks.
- Words by
- Hannah Clugston
- Featured in
- Off the Shelf picks