Franklin's International Circus

Franklin's International Circus (also referred to as Franklin's 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; 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 H.W. Franklin, Mrs Ethair

Their last appearance was on 19 July, 1862, after which the circus 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.

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