For more than 300 years, the Chipperfield family has entertained the people of Great Britain. And, for most of that time, generations of Chipperfields performed In small troupes and managed imaginative menageries. But, after World War II, the operation grew dramatically, becoming one of the world’s largest. Renowned for its spectacular exhibitions and large troupes of animals, the name Chipperfield has become synonymous with the circus. And Chipperfield animals are so popular, they have also been asked to perform for other renowned circuses, including Krone, the Blackpool Tower Circus and America’s Ringling Brothers Circus.

Two hundred years ago, John Bill Rlcketts opened America’s first circus in Philadelphia. Less than two decades ago, the Big Apple Circus began in Battery Park. New York City’s grand circus has rapidly evolved from fledgling troupe to a vital and dynamic not-for-profit performing arts organization:
The Big Apple is preeminent in the movement to reestablish the classic circus arts in American, and rivals its circus counterparts in Europe and Asia. The Big Apple Circus extends its commitment to hospital-based health and humor programs for children through its Clown Care Unit, and to circus arts education. Proof of the success of its mission is that the Big Apple was recently awarded a major Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

In 1850, Carl Krone founded founded a traveling menagerie which he called Continental. But
the name was changed to Circus Krone at the turn of the century and the new circus put on its
first show in Bremen. Success was so rapid that Krone was soon the proud owner of a permanent circus hall in Munich. Circus Krone is also distinguished as Europe’s largest circus. During the summer, 400 people and 250 animals travel through Western Europe In two special trains and 110 cars. Krone also owns Europe’s largest circus tent, which can accommodate 5,600 visitors who are treated to the spectacular sights and sounds of this grand 19th century circus.

In 1878,
Froese Barum
transported the
first self-caught wild
animals from Africa to Germany where he founded the Thrum Wandennern. From its inception to the present day, Barum’s circus rose to dizzying heights and overcame tremendous diversity. On the triumphant side, Barum’s was the first circus to use a big round tent and the first to be portrayed in a circus movie. But Circus Datum also gained unwanted notoriety when, in 1913, eight lions escaped and had to be shot. When other calamities struck, the operation nearly folded. But it survived and, today, Barum’s is not only a thriving circus, but Europe’s largest traveling zoo.
 

Britain’s leading circus, Gerry Cottle ‘s Circus
has gained fame by touring extensively throughout the world. Though just 20 years old, the circus has a lineage that stretches back through six generations. Gerry’s wife is a Fossett, Britain’s oldest circus dynasty. And, as a boy, Gerry Cottle literally ran away to join the circus. He became a juggler, clown and rider and, ultimately, started his world famous circus. Each Christmas, Gerry Cottle ‘s Circus presents London’s spectacular annual Christmas circus
at Wembley. And this circus can claim to be
the world’s most traveled, for it has enthralled audiences form Iceland to Hong Kong.
 

Formed in 1978 by people who enjoy defying the laws of theatre and physics, Circus Oz is an Australian treasure. This unique group has integrated influences as far flung as Aboriginal culture, Chinese opera and acrobatics, politics and slapstick. In a New York Times review, Circus Oz was said to be connecting together “many different traditions” and creating “a new tradition” of its own. “Their attempts represent a move toward unifying worldwide influences,” representing “the bold face of post modernism.” But, most of all, Circus Oz tries to be challenging, inspiring, funny and accessible to all.