....has anyone on here done it, I wonder?

I wonder if its still actually possible, even if you meeta circus they probably want you to have a BA from the circus space-you know- that place down South....

I'm so wanting to when I've finished my degree. I have skills anyone experienced got any advice, would be appreciated! I'm thinking of saving up for my own caravan and everything...

Im specialising in circus oir my final year of degree, well travelling sideshows to be more precise. Im studying costume design and sick of it being a case of if I dont make perfect period costumes (which im crap at) 'I've wasted the last 3 years and failed myself" so I've realised my heart lies in the carnies and travelling performers of old. I wanted to do my dissertation on burlesque for years then couldnt find a debate to sustain me.

Theres a great book called Freaks and Fire The Reinvention of Circus by J Dee Hill you might be interested in if your are less into glitzty Cirque du Soliel and more into the idea of a group of people performing demented theatre/circus. I too dream of getting a trailer and not running away with the circus exacty but embracing it. I want to be the wardrobe/costume designer if any circuses need one.

Also read Nell Strouds book Josser; Secret Life of a Circus girl. She did run away with the circus and you'll see what hard work it is but very inspirational.

At teh moment Im just getting some friends together to form a sort of vagabond group of streetperformers thats kind of dadaist and I'm doing a trapeze course in a few weeks that I hope to keep up for as long as possible if I'm o.k

I did my dissertation on Carnys, travelling shows and sideshows, and that's what the book I've been working on is about: so if all goes to plan I will be doing a bit of following soon for all the images!

A friend of a friend did for real though. He went all over Europe and it was so cold that he had to drink a bottle of Baileys every night to keep warm and came back much larger than he went.
When I was little my dad had friends in the circus and I used to go with him and have a go on the equiptment, but then one day someone put me on an elephant and i was scared and screamed and screamed and never went back. I have a polaroid of this.

xxx

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www.myspace.com/missvickybutterfly - www.vickybutterfly.com

Are you not a member of a "circus" of sorts yourself, Miss Butterfly? The Circus of Satan, perhaps?

that is well awesome, tell us when it gets published.

Thanks very much for the great list of references, and omg, can I join your group??? In a year's time?? I'm very skilled.

PS have buddied you and sent you a PM.

I suppose so... I've worked with them once before it's true! But they don't have a big top sadly ...

xxx

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www.myspace.com/missvickybutterfly - www.vickybutterfly.com

They should get one...made of black velvet, with a threeheaded monkey dripping blood as an usher for the audience and axe wielding midgets in tuxedos...


But a circus needs a tour van, tis essential.

I'm sure i heard somewhere RedSarah ran away with the circus when she was young... could be wrong but rings a bell.