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 Hoop

A heavy metallic hoop used as a variance of trapeze, usually with contortion moves. (Also called Cerceau.)

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.).

Antipodist

(French: Antipodiste, Russian: Antipod) Foot juggler.

Attraction

(Russian) A circus act that can occupy up to the entire second half of a circus performance.

Auguste

In a classic European clown team, the comic, red-nosed character, as opposed to the elegant, whiteface Clown.

B

Balagan

(Russian) A fairground booth or theater.

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.

Banquette

(French. U.S.: Ring Curb) The circular barrier(Russian. French: Banquette. U.S.: Ring Curb) The circular barrier that defines the ring, and separates it from the audience. that defines the ring—so called because it is traditionally large enough for someone to sit on it.

Barrel-Jumping

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

Benefit

Special performance whose entire profit went to a performer; the number of benefits a performer was offered (usually one, but sometimes more for a star performer during a long engagement) was stipulated in his contract. Benefits disappeared in the early twentieth century.

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)

Bolleadora

A traditional Gaucho weapon made of two weights attached at both ends of a cord, used by Argentinean Bolleadora Dancers.

Boss Canvasman

(U.S.) In the traditional American circus, the person in charge of setting up and putting down the tents. Modern usage: Tentmaster.

Bouncing Rope

An rope placed between two supports or pedestals, and fastened at one or both ends to a spring or bungee, so that the ropedancer can use the rope as a propelling device.

C

Candy Butcher

(American) Concession vendor; so named because one of the first successful concessionaires of the American circus was a former butcher.

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.

Carrousel

A choreographed equestrian ensemble display, very popular in European court entertainments of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Casse-Cou

(French) A front, or forward, somersault.

Catcher

In an acrobatic or a flying actAny aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled in the air from one point to another., the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air.

Chambrière

(French) Long whip customarily used by Equestrians for the presentation of horses "at liberty"Liberty act", "Horses at liberty": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a ''chambrière'' (French), or long whip.."

Cerceau

(French) See Aerial Hoop.

Chapiteau

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

Charivari

(Italian, French) A joyous acrobatic display, mostly tumbling, originally performed by all the clowns of a circus company as a show opener. (Clowns, until the turn of the twentieth century, were generally gifted tumblers; tumbling was considered an "eccentric," or comedic circus specialty.)

Cigar Box

A juggling prop in the form of a cigar boxA juggling prop in the form of a cigar box, which was originally made of actual cigar boxes., which was originally made of actual cigar boxes.

Cloud Swing

The ancestor of the trapeze: a slack rope hanging from both ends, used as an aerial swinging apparatus. The addition of a bar in the middle led to the creation of the trapeze.

Clown Alley

(American) In an American circus, the clowns' dressing room (or tent), and by extension, the clown ensemble of a circus.

Clown

Generic 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.

Construction

(French) A temporary circus building, originally made of wood and canvas, and later, of steel elements supporting a canvas top and wooden wall. Also known as a "semi-construction(French) A temporary circus building, originally made of wood and canvas, and later, of steel elements supporting a canvas top and wooden wall. Also known as a "semi-construction."."

Corde Lisse

(French) A vertical rope used in aerial acts, either for the act itself, or to climb up to an apparatus. Called Spanish Web when covered with fabric(See: Tissu).

Cradle

Piece of apparatus (generally aerial) composed of two horizontal parallel bars in which a catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air. locks his legs to be in position of catching a flyerAn acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying act, or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboard)..

D

Double-double

A double somersault combined with a full double twist.

E

Entrée

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

Equestrienne

A female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback.

F

Flash

In juggling, to flashIn juggling, to flash is the act of juggling objects in a move that is sustained for only a very short time. is the act of juggling objects in a move that is sustained for only a very short time.

Flashing

In juggling, the act of juggling objects in a move that is sustained for only a very short time.

Fly-Bar

On a flying trapezeAerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcher, or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze) rig(American) The rigged apparatus used to perform an aerial act, especially a flying act., the swinging trapeze used by the flyerAn acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying act, or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboard). (as opposed to the trapeze used by the catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air.).

Flyer

An acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying actAny aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled in the air from one point to another., or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboardA seesaw made of wood, or fiberglass poles tied together, which is used to propel acrobats in the air.).

Flying Act

Any aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled in the air from one point to another.

Flying Trapeze

Aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled from a trapeze to a catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air., or to another trapeze. (See also: Short-distance Flying Trapeze)

H

Hand-to-Hand

An acrobatic act in which one or more acrobats do hand-balancing in the hands of an under-standerIn an acrobatic act, the person who is at the base, supporting other acrobats (for example, the base of a human pyramid). Also known as the "bottom Man" (or "Bottom Woman")..

Haute-école

(French) A display of equestrian dressage, by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (See also: High School)

Heel Catch

In a trapeze act, a dive frontward or backward, caught to the trapeze bar by the heels.

High School

(French) A display of equestrian dressage, by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (From the French: Haute école)

High Wire

A tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wireA tight, light metallic cable, placed between two platforms not very far from the ground, on which a wire dancer perform dance steps, and acrobatic exercises such as somersaults. (Also: Low Wire).

Hippodrama

Equestrian pantomimeA circus play, not necessarily mute, with a dramatic story-line (a regular feature in 18th and 19th century circus performances)., often with a military subject matter, very popular in mid-nineteenth-century urban circuses.

I

Icarism

(French: Jeux Icariens) Act performed by Icarists, in which one acrobat, lying on his back, juggles another acrobat with his feet. (Also: Risley Act)

Icarist

Acrobat who juggle another acrobat with his feet. See Icarism, Risley Act.

Iron Jaw

Aerial trickAny specific exercise in a circus act. in which a performer hangs from a small apparatus fitting in his/her mouth (a mouthpieceSmall apparatus fitting in a performer's mouth, used to hang from another apparatus (see: Iron Jaw). — French: mâchoire(French) See: Mouthpiece.) and hooked to another apparatus or piece of equipment.

J

Jockey

Classic equestrian act in which the participants ride standing in various attitudes on a galoping horse, perform various jumps while on the horse, and from the ground to the horse, and perform classic horse-vaulting exercises.

L

Liberty

"Liberty act", "Horses at liberty"Liberty act", "Horses at liberty": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a ''chambrière'' (French), or long whip.": Unmounted horses presented from the center of the ring by an equestrian directing his charges with his voice, body movements, and signals from a chambrière(French) Long whip customarily used by Equestrians for the presentation of horses "at liberty." (French), or long whip.

Longe

(French, Russian) Safety line connected to a performer by a belt, going through a pulley, and held on the other end by an assistant, or a teacher. Also know as a "mécanique(French) A safety line, or "longe" (see this word), connected to a rotating arm equipped with a pulley and hanging above the ring, originally used for the practice of equestrian acrobatic acts (such as jockey acts)." (see this word).

Low Wire

A tight, light metallic cable, placed between two platforms not very far from the ground, on which a wire dancer perform dance steps, and acrobatic exercises such as somersaults. (Also: Tight Wire)

M

Mâchoire

(French) See: Mouthpiece.

Mécanique

(French) A safety line, or "longe(French, Russian) Safety line connected to a performer by a belt, going through a pulley, and held on the other end by an assistant, or a teacher. Also know as a ''mécanique'' (see this word)." (see this word), connected to a rotating arm equipped with a pulley and hanging above the ring, originally used for the practice of equestrian acrobatic acts (such as jockeyClassic equestrian act in which the participants ride standing in various attitudes on a galoping horse, perform various jumps while on the horse, and from the ground to the horse, and perform classic horse-vaulting exercises. acts).

Mouthpiece

Small apparatus fitting in a performer's mouth, used to hang from another apparatus (see: Iron Jaw).

P

Panneau

(French) A flat, padded saddle used by ballerinas on horseback.

Pantomime

A circus play, not necessarily mute, with a dramatic story-line (a regular feature in 18th and 19th century circus performances).

Perch-Pole

Long perch held vertically on a performer's shoulder or forehead, on the top of which an acrobat executes various balancing figures.

Pirouette

(French) A full rotation of the body in the vertical axle. Double pirouette(French) A full rotation of the body in the vertical axle. Double pirouette: two rotations, etc.: two rotations, etc.

Plange

(From the French, planche(French) Acrobatic figure in which one's body is held in a straight horizontal position.) Acrobatic figure in which one's body is held in a straight horizontal position.

Q

Quad

A quadruple somersault.

Quarterpole

A support pole placed midway between the main poles and the sidewallThe canvas wall at the periphery of a circus tent. of a circus tent.

R

Reprise

(French) Short piece performed by clowns between acts during prop changes or equipment rigging. (See also: Carpet Clown)

Requisit

(German, Russian) All props needed for a Circus act; used internationally mostly for props needed for a cage act(English/American) Act performed in a cage, such as lion or tiger acts., such as stools, etc.

Ring Curb

(American. French: Banquette) the circular barrier(Russian. French: Banquette. U.S.: Ring Curb) The circular barrier that defines the ring, and separates it from the audience. that defines the ring, and separates it from the audience.

Risley Act

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.)

Russian Barre

Flexible pole, held horizontally by two catchers, or under-standers, with which they propelled a flyerAn acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying act, or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboard). in acrobatic figures from and to the Barre.

Russian Swing

Giant swing used to propel flyers into acrobatic figures onto the shoulders of a catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air., on a crash mat, or into a net.

S

Short Distance Flying Trapeze

A flying actAny aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled in the air from one point to another. in which the catcherIn an acrobatic or a flying act, the person whose role is to catch acrobats that have been propelled in the air. is in a static cradlePiece of apparatus (generally aerial) composed of two horizontal parallel bars in which a catcher locks his legs to be in position of catching a flyer. (Variant: Korean Cradle.), limiting the swing motion to the flyerAn acrobat that is propelled in the air, either in a flying act, or in an acrobatic act (i.e. teeterboard). only. Generally performed on a standing apparatus, above a safety mat.

Sidewall

The canvas wall at the periphery of a circus tent.

Slack Wire

A Tight Wire, or Low Wire, kept slack, and generally used for juggling or balancing tricks.

Spanish Web

A vertical rope, or corde lisse(French) A vertical rope used in aerial acts, either for the act itself, or to climb up to an apparatus. Called Spanish Web when covered with fabric., covered with fabric(See: Tissu).

Strap Act

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

T

Teeterboard

A seesaw made of wood, or fiberglass poles tied together, which is used to propel acrobats in the air.

Tentmaster

The person in charge of setting up and putting down a circus tent. (See also: Boss Canvasman)

Thrill Act

A spectacular act that focuses on the display of danger, whether real or staged.

Tight Wire

A tight, light metallic cable, placed between two platforms not very far from the ground, on which a wire dancer perform dance steps, and acrobatic exercises such as somersaults. (Also: Low Wire)

Top Mounter

In an acrobatic or balancing act, the performer who holds the top position (on a human column, for instance).

Trick

Any specific exercise in a circus act.

Trinka

A small, especially designed pedestal on which foot jugglers lie down to perform their act.

U

Under-Stander

In an acrobatic act, the person who is at the base, supporting other acrobats (for example, the base of a human pyramid). Also known as the "bottom Man" (or "Bottom Woman").

V

Variete

(German, from the French: variété) A German variety show whose acts are mostly circus acts, performed in a cabaret atmosphere. Very popular in Germany before WWII, Varieté shows have experienced a renaissance since the 1980s.