THE BALLOON MAN

Oh, what a circus – YouTube roundup

from: guardian.co.uk
To celebrate the return of five-star show Du Goudron et des Plumes, we share some of our favourite circus-inspired videos – from Buster Keaton to Gandini Juggling's Smashed

 

High times … Piccadilly Circus Circus perform at er, Piccadilly Circus in London. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

It's been a terrific year for circus in the UK, which made a major contribution to the Olympic opening ceremonies, wowed London with Piccadilly Circus Circus, saw NoFit State in residence at the Eden Project in Cornwall and also saw a number of young companies including Ockham's Razor hit their stride.

With the London International Mime festival to look forward to at the start of next year, Cirque du Soleil readying for their annual visit to the Royal Albert Hall, and the brilliant Du Goudron et des Plumes at the Barbican this week, we're going circus crazy.

Below are some of my favourites – and if you want to see more circus on film look at Crying Out Loud's terrific Circus Post on the Arts Council's the Space website, which includes a number of films that add context to the history of circus.

If you thought Cirque du Soleil were good at tumbling, check out this 1902 clip showing Julians Troupe Acrobatics in action. The quality of the film may not be great, but the stunts are hugely entertaining.

Circus tricks were an integral part of silent movies, and many of the early stars, such as Buster Keaton, were highly skilled and did all their own stunts. This is absolute classic slapstick from the 1920 Buster Keaton short Neighbours, a backyard Romeo and Juliet story.

For something more modern but with just as much wow factor, check out this clip from Alexandre Lane and Emilie Fournier, who as aerial duo Chilly and Fly won the Golden Pierrot at the 2012 Budapest circus festival.

read and see more at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2012/nov/28/circus-youtube-roundup