Side Street Circus History

HISTORY & ORIGINS
OF THE SIDE STREET CIRCUS

Egyptian records over five thousand years old tell of court jester-like characters amusing the Pharaohs and their courts. Mountebanks, jugglers, conjurors and minstrels of the Middle Ages amused the aristocracy. Many of these performers were also traveling "street buskers."

They frequented the market places and entertained the ordinary folk. The commedia dell'arte of the 1600's in Europe marked the first appearance of companies of professional entertainers.

People flocked to feast day fairs and celebrations to forget the hardness of their lives, to be entertained with music and dancing, mystery and morality plays. From these early street performers, the Side Street Circus finds its beginnings.

In the drawing to the left, "The Juggler of the Chateau d'Eau" 1822, the performer entertains the crowd with an ancient trick, the Cups and Balls. Thought to be the oldest known feat of sleight of hand, the trick had its origins four thousand years ago in ancient Egypt. It was popular in the 1800's and is still very popular with modern audiences. Keeping the ancient tradition of street entertainers, Jocomo of The Side Street Circus performs this great classic of sleight of hand in most every performance.

Today, spectators are entertained with only a flick of a remote control TV button from their favorite easy chair. The razzle-dazzle of special effects in movies and television; slow motion, instant replay, perfectly mixed sound reproduction, zoom-in close-up, vivid color and computer enhanced video has conditioned audiences to accept these techniques as common-place. Many times, the personality and skill (or lack of it) of the performer is secondary to technical special effects.

The advantages of our advanced technology are many. They contribute to what can be a productive and creative society. But there is a trend, people are beginning to value things that are natural and real, a sort of "back to basics" movement. Shiny plastic is being replaced by hand-crafted, hand rubbed wood. Hand-written letters are valued above word-processed, spell-checked computer generated memos. In this day of technological miracles, the desire to once again hold onto a tangible reality is being kindled in the hearts of people.

Many performers are returning to their beginnings; the streets. Highly skilled and successful entertainers: jugglers, fire-eaters, mimes, magicians and musicians are attracting a circle of onlookers on the streets of Paris, Peking, London, New York, Boston, San Francisco and New Orleans. These performers create entertainment; not with thousands of dollars of sound equipment; not with a highly paid staff of writers, producers and directors; not with computers, graphic equalizers, surround sound and strobe lights; but with their own creative resources and imagination. Simple instruments, personality, simple props and personal energy produce a unique "once in a life time," and a "you have to be there" form of entertainment.

This background was a source of inspiration for The Side Street Circus. In the late 1970s, Gerald Edmundson was performing as magician-mime-juggler with the Cucurucu Mime Troupe. The troupe appeared in 16th century costumes, performed mime, acrobatics, period music, juggling and a variety of other skills in classic street performing style. When the troupe disbanded in 1981, Gerald formed The Side Street Circus. The performance style changed. An accordion, clarinet, tuba and washboard replaced the Renaissance instruments. Contemporary costuming replaced the 16th century costumes.
As the saying goes, "the rest is history." The Side Street Circus has become one of the most sought after and popular performing groups in the country.

Whether appearing roving as street performers or on platform or stage, the versatile entertainers create a unique experience, a magic of the moment. There will be a haunting melody from a concertina, a penny whistle or a mandolin, a lively polka from an accordion, tuba and clarinet. A balanced plate on a nose, a dazzling feat of colorful sleight-of-hand, an intriguing piece of mime: The performers use their energy, experience and talents to preserve an age old art which is at the very roots of the art of theater.