Gandeys Circus and the Philip Astley Project...

-
Gandey World Class Productions is pleased to announce that Gandeys Circus has had another successful run in Liverpool this year with a brand new production for 2016 - 'Gandeys...Your Circus Awakens'. This years production takes you on a journey through the origins of circus and the Gandey family's influence on the entertainment world. Gandeys...Your Circus Awakens has had a very positive response from audiences in Liverpool and Knutsford - head over the Gandeys Circus Facebook to read the comments for yourself. Due to popular demand this years tour has also been expanded and now included Knutsford, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Birmingham in the ever growing list of venues.


Gandeys Circus is also happy to be lending our support to the Philip Astley Project The Philip Astley Committee with local celebrity Andrew Van Buren during our stay in Newcastle-under-Lyme from the 11th - 20th March. We are holding a special tribute gala evening for the project at the show on Friday 11th March. Philip Astley is  a Newcastle born man who is dubbed the "father of modern circus" for his incremental role in the design of the first 40ft circus ring in 1768, which is still the standard used around the world and here at Gandeys.

Philip Astley was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme on 8th January 1742, the son of a cabinet maker who went on to become a war hero, a pioneer and showman. He is written about in the works of Charles Dickens & Jane Austen, and his influence has shaped not only the world of entertainment but also his legacy is still popular in art & literature worldwide.

In 1759 Philip joined Colonel Elliot’s 15th Light Dragoons - the first Light Cavalry Regiment of the British Army. Under the direction of Lord Pembroke’s trainer he learnt a new method of horse riding, going on to excel in the art of horse training & becoming a master of equestrianism.

Philip saw active service & was quite the war time hero, being promoted to Sergeant Major during the “Seven Years War”. In 1766 he left the army - in 1768 at Halfpenny Hatch (now the White Hart pub, Cornwall Road, London) he created the first 42ft diameter “circus ring” – still the standard size used in circus around the world.

He went on to open Astley’s riding school and by 1773 he opened his first Amphitheatre building in London. He introduced for the first time the Merryman (clowns) into the circus ring, as well as jugglers, rope walkers and acrobats. In 1783 Astley built an amphitheatre building in Paris, where he died on 20th October 1814, aged 72.

Philip Astley is buried in the Paris Cemetery of Pere Lachaise. His grave is no longer visible.


The Philip Astley Project has been in the making for over 35 years and now is truly gaining a solid form with the Philip Astley committee.

The committee are a gathering of individuals who collectively bring their experience within education, historic studies & conservation, the arts, entertainment & politics together. All have the goal & purpose of gaining recognition for Philip Astley - a pioneer son of Newcastle under Lyme, giving recognition to him & reflecting his achievements in a series of events and projects not only designed to keep his amazing legacy alive, but also to enrich a town that they are all proud of – Newcastle under Lyme.


We are proud to be helping promote the life of this circus legend during our stay in Newcastle and long into the future with productions to come.

GANDEY BLOGGER

  

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for your feedback!

Popular posts from this blog

A brief history of clowns to celebrate Andreea's birthday!

-
Image
Hip hip hooray! It’s our crazy clown Andreea’s birthday! The lovable Andreea has been appearing in shows with Gandeys Circus for nearly a decade. Now Andreea is actually French – so perhaps we should say ‘bon anniversaire’! We’re proud to have Andreea as part of our current team in the big top at Butlin’s Skegness . While our other clowns – currently performing at Butlin’s Bognor Regis and Minehead – Bippo and Chico Rico are more traditional, Andreea opts to show off her sense of style with an offbeat modern look. We think her pink tutu / Converse / blazer combo is pretty iconic… especially paired with her blasting boombox! (she’s never been shy of making an entrance). Andreea likes interrupting the action with her silly routines. And you know something else… she is the UK’s only female clown! So you could say she’s a bit of an innovator when it comes to clowning around. With that in mind, let’s look at how much clowns have changed ov
Read more

Origins of the Chinese Circus

-
Image
200 BC – 200 AD – Han Dynasty, Sichuan Province – Juggler with balls and knives – Carving, stone of the “Hundred Games.” [source: Chinese Acrobatics Through The Ages, p15] The origins of the Chinese circus are not entirely crystal clear. There are debates and differing opinions when it comes to the exact history behind the circus, which is not a surprise when you take into account how long it has been around! First records of the Chinese circus - including carvings and mural paintings - date back more than 2,000 years to the Warring States period (475–221 BC), with evidence of performances developing further during the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 230 AD). Although it is believed that the art may have actually started around 3,000 years ago! One theory is that the acts originated in imperial courts, with performers entertaining the houses in a manner similar to western court jesters. However, it is more likely that the circus was a folk art that was later adopted by
Read more

Strong Women in Circus

-
Image
In honour of International Women's Day and the 'Women in Circus' movement, we would like to share these photos of strong women with whom we have worked - past and present. Women who inspire us here at Gandey World Class Productions , and who influence and empower other women across the world. There are many strong circus women who we have not mentioned here. Please be aware that this list is by no means definitive – there are so many more strong women whom we would have loved to include, and who remain an important part of the Gandey family. The pictures can also be found in a Flickr album here . Mary Gandey: Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Performer – the foundation upon which Gandeys as we know it was built Carol Gandey: Director and Producer – Gandey World Class Productions Hayley Gandey: Circus Director and Performer – Gandeys Circus Coral Gandey: Brand Manager, London Mariska Gandey: Circus Performer – Gandeys Circus Andreea D
Read more