The circus is almost universally considered to be a community filled with the uniqueness and eccentricity of human nature. Whether it be talented trapeze artists who seem to fly across the stage, performing flips and tricks as they dazzle the audience, or strong men able to lift impossible weights-- the circus serves as a place to observe wonders and feats that go beyond the commonplace. However, the modern circus as well as its contemporary portrayal and the traditional circus are ever diverging as technological advances render old practices ineffective.
As recently as December of 2017, the film The Greatest Showman proved to the world that the circus is a far cry from a lost art. With a box office revenue of over 300 million dollars, the movie was a great success and the original soundtrack was one of the films finest features, providing catchy tunes that trended on charts and got even more people interested in watching the film. The movie follows P.T. Barnum’s life as he opens one of America’s most famous circuses, The Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The movie depicted many of the traditional aspects of the original circus such as individuals who were thought of as “odd characters” like the bearded lady, dwarfs, conjoined twins, and so on, but did it in a way that depicted the circus as a safehouse of acceptance. This film delineated several relevant issues we are facing today as humans continue to struggle politically and socially to grant comprehensive acceptance to all individuals.
Although the movie kept mostly true to its roots and the time period it was based on, there were a few scenes that were anachronistic in terms of technology or ability. This incorporation of contemporary techniques with a classical medium such as the circus is characteristic of modern performances today.
Arguably, the most popular modern day circus is a performance troupe known as Cirque du Soleil which translates to “circus of the sun” in English. This circus boasts multiple world tours and original shows with themes spanning a variety of topics. With the use of current sound equipment and mechanization, Cirque du Soleil is able to captivate the senses and put on an amazing show as the entertainment reaches dizzying heights.
It only makes sense that the circus evolved with the advancements present in modern times. As our never-ending need for ways to pass the time develops higher standards, so too will the world’s creators rise and design concepts to match those growing demands.
