Italian Circus

The Italian Circus circus which appeared in the Cape in 1847, managed by Dalle Case and Signor Severo. They staged a variety of circus-style programmes, most probably including equestrian gymnastics, which Dalle Case had done in London, as well as several pantomimes at the Victoria Theatre and the Garrison Theatre in Cape Town. In February 1848, the partners went their separate ways, each with his own circus.

Dalle Case kept the name the Italian Circus, doing this alongside his other theatrical enterprises, while Signor Severo started an African Circus). The theatrical entrerprises of the Dalle Case Company folded later in 1848, when Case apparently left show-business for other enterprises. However they seemingly continued with Dalle Case and his wife performing in circus presentations in Eastern Cape (1850) and later appearing in Natal with acts including several wild animals.

Sources

Gillian Arrighi and Victor Emeljanow. 2012. A World of Popular Entertainments: An Edited Volume of Critical Essays. Cambridge Scholars Publishing: pp. 94[1]

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [2]: pp. 435-7, 484, 487, 494, 500.

Jill Fletcher, 1994

P.W. Laidler, 1926

Go to ESAT Bibliography