Astley, Philip

Astley, Philip

▪ British circus manager
born Jan. 8, 1742, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Eng.
died 1814, Paris

      English trick rider and theatrical manager who in 1770, in London, created Astley's Amphitheatre, considered the first modern circus ring.

      A horseman with a British dragoon regiment from about 1759, Astley was at first the sole performer in the Amphitheatre, specializing in riding with one foot on the saddle and one on the horse's head while brandishing a sword. He gradually included other equestrians, acrobats, rope dancers, aerialists, clowns, and the first recorded circus freak show.

      The Amphitheatre suffered destruction by fire several times, and eventually it became The Royal Amphitheatre of Arts under the patronage of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York in 1794. Beginning in 1772, Astley made numerous tours of European cities, including Paris, where he performed before the French king and royal court. He established the Astley Amphitheatre in Paris (1782) and 18 other permanent circuses in cities throughout Europe.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ASTLEY, PHILIP —    a famous equestrian and circus manager, along with Franconi established the Cirque Olympique in Paris (1742 1814) …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Philip Astley — Astley s Royal Ampitheatre in London um etwa 1808. Philip Astley (* 8. Januar 1742 in Newcastle under Lyme/England; † 27. Januar 1814 in Paris) ist der Begründer des modernen Zirkus. Zirkus ging aus der Pferdedressur hervor, deshalb wu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Philip Astley — (January 8, 1742 ndash;January 27, 1814) is regarded as the father of the modern circus. He was born in Newcastle under Lyme in England and his father was a cabinetmaker. At the age of nine, he apprenticed to work with his father, but Astley s… …   Wikipedia

  • Astley — could refer to various places in England:* Astley, Greater Manchester, a dormitory town * Astley Green Colliery Museum * Astley, Warwickshire, a village and parish * Astley, Worcestershire, a village and parish * Astley, Shropshire, a village and …   Wikipedia

  • Astley — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Edwin Astley (1922–1998), britischer Filmkomponist Philip Astley (1742–1814), britischer Zirkuspionier Rick Astley (* 1966), britischer Sänger Thea Astley (1925–2004), australische Schriftstellerin Astley… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Astley Hall — is a country house in Chorley, Lancashire, England. Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed here for a time. The extensive landscaped grounds are now Chorley s Astley Park.HistoryThe site was acquired in the 15th century by the Charnock family… …   Wikipedia

  • Philip Astley — Représentation d Astley en 1808 1811 Philip Astley (Newcastle under Lyme, 8 janvier 1742 Paris, 27 janvier 1814) est un célèbre écuyer anglais qui fonda au XVIIIe siècl …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Philip Howard Colomb — Vice Admiral Philip Howard Colomb, RN (May 29, 1831 October 13, 1899). Born in Knockbrex, near Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, he was a Royal Navy officer, historian, critic and inventor. He was the son of General GT Colomb.… …   Wikipedia

  • Philip Streatfeild — James Philip Sydney StreatfeildHoare, Phillip. [http://books.google.com/books?id=C9RZeGdPF9MC Noel Coward: A Biography ] . University of ChicagoPress, 1998. ISBN 0226345122. (clarifies that this is correct spelling, noting Coward always spelled… …   Wikipedia

  • Neil Astley — (b. 12 May 1953, Portchester, Hampshire, England) is a British publisher, editor and writer. Contents 1 Life and work 1.1 Bloodaxe 2 Reception 3 Writing …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”