Glossary

A

Adagio

Acrobatic act, generally involving a man and a woman, presented in a slow or romantic mood.

Aerialist

Any acrobat working above the ring on an aerial equipment such as trapeze, Roman Rings, Spanish web, etc.

Aerial Perch

An aerial apparatus, generally a hanging perch, from where the performers hang with the help of hand or ankle loops. (French: Bambou - Russian: Bambuk)

Aerial Straps

Pair of fabric(See: Tissu) or leather straps used as an apparatus for an aerial strap actAerial act performed hanging from a pair of fabric or leather straps. (See Aerial Straps.).

Auguste

In a classic European clown team, the comic, red-nosed character, as opposed to the whiteface clownGeneric term for all clowns and augustes. '''Specific:''' In Europe, the elegant, whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team..

B

Ballerina on Horseback

Acrobatic and dance figures performed by an equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback., often wearing a tutu, standing on the back of a horse.

Bambou

(French - Russian: Bambuk) Aerial apparatus, generally a hanging perch, from where the performers hang with the help of hand or ankle loops. See also: Aerial perch.

Barrel-Jumping

Act in which an acrobat jumps from inside a barrel to inside another barrel, often placed at different levels.

Big Top

The circus tent. America: The main tent of a traveling circus, where the show is performed, as opposed to the other tops. (French, Russian: Chapiteau)

C

Cage Act

Act performed in a cage, such as lion or tiger acts.

Carpet Clown

(English) An Auguste performing short pieces between the acts during prop changes or equipment rigging. See also: Reprise Auguste.

Chapiteau

(French, Russian) A circus tent, or Big Top.

Clown

Specific: In Europe, the whiteface character who plays the role of the straight man to the Auguste in a clown team.

E

Entrée

Clown piece with a dramatic structure, generally in the form of a short story or scene.

I

Icarist

Acrobat who juggle another acrobat with his feet. See Icarism, risley act.

R

Risley

Act performed by Icarists, in which one acrobat, lying on his back, juggles another acrobat with his feet. (Named after Richard Risley Carlisle, who developed this type of act.)

S

Strap Act

Aerial act performed hanging from a pair of fabric(See: Tissu) or leather straps. See Aerial Straps.