Franklin's International Circus

Franklin's International Circus (also referred to as Franklin's Circus, Franklin and Co's International Circus, or the Franklin International Circus) was active in Cape Town during the first half of 1862.

Founded in Cape Town in 1862 by the clown and acrobat H.W. Franklin, a former member of M'Collum's Circus, the circus performed there without break for more than 5 months, becoming a serious rival for the companies of Sefton Parry and Mrs Tellet in terms of popular support.

The Franklin and his circus apparently had a good relationship with Sefton Parry though, the two helping each other with benefit evenings (e.g. those for Mrs Parry on 28 October, 1861; for Sefton Parry on 30 April, 1862; Leon, ), and even - towards the end of the Circus's stay and Parry's 1862 season - joined forces to present a short series of extended programmes, consisting of "Comedy, Ballet, Dancing" (as well as songs and acrobatics) in Cape Town, running from 8-10 and again from 12-14 May, 1862.

Members of the company included Miss Carrie, H.W. Franklin, Mr Ethair, Mrs Ethair, Young Hernandez, Jean Johnson, Mr Stevens, Miss M. Stevens, Mrs Stevens, Master Willie.

The last appearance of the Circus was on 19 July, 1862, after which the company left the Cape, to sail for Calcutta in India.

Sources

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman, 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 99, 110, 112, 114, 133, 137, 139-140.

Go to ESAT Bibliography