It was through his father that Van Buren not only learned to love the circus, but also developed a keen interest in Philip Astley. Van Buren says: “Although he joined the circus, eventually ...

Philip Astley was already a war hero when he revolutionised family entertainment – by creating the modern circus. Astley developed the first 42 feet diameter circus ring – which is the ...

This euphoric mix of horse, human and showbusiness owes its life to one man: Philip Astley. In 1768 ... saw them achieve new heights of spectacle: the first circus parade was organised by Astley to ...

The circus and travel are inextricably intertwined: circuses travel, and patrons travel to see them. It was that way almost from the very beginning, when Philip Astley, an enterprising horse trainer ...

2 - The modern circus was invented in London by trick horse-rider Philip Astley, who opened his Amphitheatre of Equestrian Arts in London, in 1768. 3 - Astley never called his show a circus.

It comes as Newcastle celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Philip Astley, with a series of events. The multi-piece steel artwork – featuring horses and a circus ringmaster – has ...

A visitor centre celebrating the life and legacy of the ‘father of the modern circus’ is preparing to open. The Philip Astley Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, will host workshops ...

The circus as it’s known today can be traced to 1768, when trick rider Philip Astley discovered that when his horse galloped in a circle, the centrifugal and centripetal forces allowed him to ...

entrepreneur and equestrian rider Philip Astley drew out a circle in the ground and filled it with astounding physical acts. This spectacle was the world’s very first circus. Including a ...

This year marks 250 years since the start of modern circus. It was in 1768 that Philip Astley began his circus entertainment in Waterloo in London. To celebrate, here's the latest in our new series of ...