Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Universoul Circus


The Circus Historical Society's Convention in Peru, Indiana from July 17th to 20th will be offering an optional trip to Indianapolis to see the Universoul Circus on Wednesday evening. We have 60 Box seats reserved on a first come first served basis.

 "Get 'em while they're HOT!!!"

7 comments:

Brian said...

Dear Bob, A fascinating blog - some great photos! Thanks.
Excuse me for asking, but I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of any online material regarding circus construction? I'm looking for vocabulary relating to the physical construction of a circus top - quarter poles and all that - If you can offer me any advice where to search, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
Brian

Bob Cline said...

Hi Brian,
That is a great question. I immediately went to several like Circopedia, the CFA website and surprisingly, couldn't find what you wanted. The best One I did find is http://goodmagic.com/carny/index.htm

It is also missing some key terms but it has most of what you were asking about. You'll need to fill in with the terms, deadman, jigger cable, stake, stakedriver, eves, "A" frame, georgia buggy, clove hitch, storm hitch, sailmaker, tie down ropes,( on Quarter poles and side poles )and layout pins at least. Good Luck.
Bob

Brian said...

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your help - that's a great link! Sorry I've not been back to answer till now - we are attempting to translate a book on circus history from Catalan to English, and I've spent the last couple of weeks doing the "easy" stuff, leaving the technical words till last.
I think for what we need, between the links you mention, and a bit of research , we are more or less OK (especially given that our deadline is creeping up on us!).
Could I ask you one more question please? What is an "A" frame ? i've got a feelling it's one of the words we need, is it part of the supports for the ring/seating area?
Thank you so much,
Brian

Bob Cline said...

Hello Brian,
The seating supports while resembling the letter "A" are knowns as the Jacks and the board they hold up are the stringers. That made the frame for the seatboards to lay upon.
The "A" frame is a highly critical piece of the circus operation. When the center poles of a bale ring top are layed on the ground, and the rigging is all attached, they are supported by a small scissors jack. When the time comes to raise the first center pole, the rope would be parallel to the ground when you are trying to pull it. Basically you are fighting with the pole. The "A" frame is about 12 to 15 feet tall and the pull up rope goes over the "A" Frame. This creates the leverage that allows the pull up rope to actually move the pole upwards. Eventually the pull up rope looses contact with the "A" frame and the pole continues upward. That's all the "A" frame is used for but you would never get the first pole in the air without it.
Best wishes,
Bob

Brian said...

Wow! That's great, thanks! Luckily, for me!, I don't need to go so deeply into how the rigging and everything goes up, but you've given me a big clue with the "jacks" "stringers" and "seatboards" as one paragraph deals specifically wth this construction.
If I understand correctly, then, "stringers" run outwards from the ring like radius, (giving effectlike a box of cheese triangles!)??
Is there a special term for the boards which go behind the seating tiers ("stringers" slot into them maybe?), joined together to form the enclosed circle of the circus itself (though perhaps some don't have these boards?) ??

(if this book ever gets published, I'll try and get a copy out to you)
Thanks again,
Brian

Bob Cline said...

Brian,
A section of seating needed the jacks ( anywhere from 2 to 5 depending on how long the stringer is ) the stringer that goes from the ground up and rests in the jacks making the ramping of the seats, the toe pin, ( a small stake driven in the very end of the stringer to keep it from moving ) depending on when and where, you might have used a chain from the front to the back jack that locked it together so it couldn't lean over and then the seating.
This could have been simply a board that people sat on with their feet hanging. There might have been a foot board and a seat board. The Blues were always referred to as the seats furthest away from the center ring. The reserved seating was in front of the rings. The old seating was called a starback. Basically the backboard was hinged to the seat and raised in a backing position. Then came along what was called a bible. This was a much wider flooring section that allowed chairs to be placed on it. This was far and above the normal seating. I hope this isn't too confusing.
Bob

Brian said...

That's great. Thank you so much for your help.
If the book gets finished, I'll let you know - the author is presently on tour and I'm not sure when we'll be meeting next. There is definitely going to be a Spanish edition (the author is a clown and founder of the Catalan circus, Circ Raluy).
Anyway, I'll be in touch
Thanks
Best wishes
Brian