Friday, May 1, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Freak Shows
One very indistinct element of to take into consider is the intriguing idea of disability
within the circus; in other words, the popularity of freak shows. Traveling with a group was is
commonly associated with the characteristic of being a delinquent and/or an outcast. It used
to be that a freak show a disillusioned display of mockery and hate, and the performers or
'freaks' were terribly mistreated, neglected, and abused. In spite of that negative connotation,
society has become more accepting and open-minded. Now, it is a place where nonconformity
can be appreciated and even flaunted in full rather than an individual feeling ashamed,
attempting to normalize themselves or feel downtrodden upon. The Last American Freak
Show was a film produced by Richard Butchins; it is a documentary that details in great length
and clarifies the twisted fantasy that swept across the States. At one point, it was banned for
being 'too explicit' and that the aesthetic visual aspect was all wrong, that it provoked
questions and uncomfortable emotions.
"A bunch of freaks decide to celebrate diversity in a way of their own choosing,
why that will never do. It would seem that they are only allowed to act in ways
deemed appropriate by the able bodied, they after all know what’s best... Well,
not surprisingly, I and the members of the freak show would seek to disagree.
It's largely the only time that some members of the troupe get any kind of
positive reaction from people ... It's not the disability that stops them functioning
successfully in society but the barriers and prejudices that society places in front
of them that causes the problems. Don't blame the freaks for being freaks.
Perhaps this freak show and my film about them, will give people an opportunity
to examine their attitudes to the disabled. That would be good. So, why don't
you go and spend a week in a wheel chair, see how it feels. (Angels Stand
Corrected 2013)
within the circus; in other words, the popularity of freak shows. Traveling with a group was is
commonly associated with the characteristic of being a delinquent and/or an outcast. It used
to be that a freak show a disillusioned display of mockery and hate, and the performers or
'freaks' were terribly mistreated, neglected, and abused. In spite of that negative connotation,
society has become more accepting and open-minded. Now, it is a place where nonconformity
can be appreciated and even flaunted in full rather than an individual feeling ashamed,
attempting to normalize themselves or feel downtrodden upon. The Last American Freak
Show was a film produced by Richard Butchins; it is a documentary that details in great length
and clarifies the twisted fantasy that swept across the States. At one point, it was banned for
being 'too explicit' and that the aesthetic visual aspect was all wrong, that it provoked
questions and uncomfortable emotions.
"A bunch of freaks decide to celebrate diversity in a way of their own choosing,
why that will never do. It would seem that they are only allowed to act in ways
deemed appropriate by the able bodied, they after all know what’s best... Well,
not surprisingly, I and the members of the freak show would seek to disagree.
It's largely the only time that some members of the troupe get any kind of
positive reaction from people ... It's not the disability that stops them functioning
successfully in society but the barriers and prejudices that society places in front
of them that causes the problems. Don't blame the freaks for being freaks.
Perhaps this freak show and my film about them, will give people an opportunity
to examine their attitudes to the disabled. That would be good. So, why don't
you go and spend a week in a wheel chair, see how it feels. (Angels Stand
Corrected 2013)
An additonal fact is that American Culture has popularized the entertainment value regarding that of "freak shows". A very recent and intriguing example would be American Horror Story: Freakshow
Fun Information about Common Circus Slang
American Slang - http://www.goodmagic.com/carny/c_a.htm
Brit/Euro Slang- http://www.goodmagic.com/carny/c_b.htm
Vaudeville Slang - http://www.goodmagic.com/carny/vaud.htm
Music and themes
"The cornerstone of circuses in America has always been music, without music we should never
have had a circus parade, slideshow, big top performance, concert, or after-show." (The
American Circus 2012)
\Circus music has become highly iconic and of course has become easily recognizable. As unto many
performances, the music and accompaniment is what inspires an audience members to experience
intense levels of varying emtions. And every sound, ever crash, every drumroll was specifically placed
there for a reason, created with precise intent to lay down the framework for an
experiential emotional masterpiece.
Many other influential circus musical stars included Maestro Merle Evans, Weber, Rossini, Liszt,
Wagner, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky\[], Beethoven, Puccini, Schubert, Boito, Mozart, Jullien,
Gottschalk, Toch, Schuman, Piston, Charles Ives, and many, many more.
The grand spectacle or "spec" referred to the lavish main attraction of the show. Popular 'specs'
included: Cleopatra; The Death of Captain Hook; The American Revolution; Lalla Rookh and the
Departure from Delhi; Jack and The Beanstalk; The Veiled Prophet; The Crusades; Field of Cloth;
Aladin and His Wonderful Lamp; Joan of Arc; Marco Polo; and Mother Goose.
Now there was one more theme that seemed to reoccur quite frequently: patriotism. Often you would
find circuses putting on grand spectacles that revolved
around the most recent up-to-date news and information about the rapidly expansion of the
United States. Media sources and newspaper companies commonly struck deals with
companies, promising to provide a continuous stream of news and also committing to review
the shows and print press releases. At the tragic assassination of President McKinley in 1901,
The Ringling Bros. Circus canceled their afternoon showing to participate in the memorial with
the rest of the public.
"Deep down in the breasts of even the clowns and the sideshow freaks is a well-
spring of patriotism...The Ringling Bros., even though at great loss to themselves,
with commendable respect for the government to which they owe allegiance,
and the great body of American people from which they derive their patronage,
cut out their afternoon performance yesterday, in order that their employees
might join with the public generally in doing honor to the foremost American of
his time...With true loyalty to the Stars and Stripes, and with profoundest
reverence and respect for the dead president, they joined in hold a memorial
service that in sincerity and devotion, was exceeded by none of the many
remarkable outpourings of grief and reverence the land over." (Ringling, Annual
Circus Ringling Bros 1978)
This honorable act, along with others from different groups, advertised and sent out a
cry that they were patriotic, honorable, and as far from profit-minded as possible.
around the most recent up-to-date news and information about the rapidly expansion of the
United States. Media sources and newspaper companies commonly struck deals with
companies, promising to provide a continuous stream of news and also committing to review
the shows and print press releases. At the tragic assassination of President McKinley in 1901,
The Ringling Bros. Circus canceled their afternoon showing to participate in the memorial with
the rest of the public.
"Deep down in the breasts of even the clowns and the sideshow freaks is a well-
spring of patriotism...The Ringling Bros., even though at great loss to themselves,
with commendable respect for the government to which they owe allegiance,
and the great body of American people from which they derive their patronage,
cut out their afternoon performance yesterday, in order that their employees
might join with the public generally in doing honor to the foremost American of
his time...With true loyalty to the Stars and Stripes, and with profoundest
reverence and respect for the dead president, they joined in hold a memorial
service that in sincerity and devotion, was exceeded by none of the many
remarkable outpourings of grief and reverence the land over." (Ringling, Annual
Circus Ringling Bros 1978)
This honorable act, along with others from different groups, advertised and sent out a
cry that they were patriotic, honorable, and as far from profit-minded as possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)