Astley's Circus

Astley's Circus

Philip Astley started his circus[1] in 1784 in London. He had begun by giving shows with two horses in the open air in Lambeth Marshes, but soon developed a series of amphitheatres throughout Britain, Ireland and the continent in which audiences could watch equestrian battles and water epics.

Astley's Circus in South Africa

In August 1808 it appears a pupil of Astley's appeared at various Cape Town theatres, making birdcalls and doing some tumbling acts. Eventually in 1840** former members of Astley’s Circus established their own professional circus under the same name. During 1840 and 1841 they charmed audiences, especially the Malays, with extravagant equestrian shows and short plays. They were apparently the only purely professional theatrical company recorded in the Cape during 1840 and 1841. In 1840 they also collaborated with the musical company Harmonie en Eendragt ("Harmony and Unity").

Astley's Theatre, Cape Town

An amphitheatre with an open acting area, built by the owners of the Cape Town based Astley's Circus in the 1840s to house their equestrian shows, short plays and circus acts. Referred to locally as Astley's Theatre.

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [2]: pp. 76, 434, 500

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