Ringling brothers: The Ringling brothers were seven siblings who transformed their small touring company of performers into one of America's largest circuses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were the children of Heinrich Friedrich August Ringling (1826-1898) of Hanover, Germany and Marie Salome Juliar (1833-1907) of Ostheim, France. They merged their Ringling Brothers Circus with America's other leading circus troupes, ultimately creating the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which still tours today under their name.
Ringmaster:The ringmaster or ringleader is often the most important and most-visible performer in the modern circus. He usually introduces the various acts and guides the audience through entertainment experience. Most modern-day ringleaders become an integral part of the performance, singing and dancing along with the other entertainers.
The traditional opening line of many circuses is the phrase "Ladies, and gentlemen, children of all ages...", drawn out in dramatic fashion. It not only signals the beginning of the main event, but it also assures the adults that it is okay to experience the child within and enjoy the show.
In the days before modern lighting equipment, it was the ringleader's job to literally "direct" the attention of the audience to the appropriate sections of the performance area, even as the previous act was being torn down or the next act was being set up in another area. Most performances were mute by nature, accompanied by resounding brass music. Therefore, the ringleader's big, booming voice was important as it cut through the clutter and excitement to announce the act.
Libby Morris (born 1930) is a Canadian comic actress and clown famous for her facial contortions and fast talking. She appeared in several BBC radio shows of the 1950s and moved into TV and film from the 1960s onwards.
To become a professional circus performer
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Circus Performer Responsibilities