The articles that form this volume are compiled from the pages of the New York Clipper. Covering the three decades of the 1860s through 1880s, they convey a naive sentiment regarding the theatre of that day, self-conscious and protective, sensitive toward outside pressures and puritanical abuses, and self-critical of personal behavior within the little world of theatrical troupes. Here are marvelous first-hand accounts of the major theatres and players of the nineteenth-century American stage, compiled by Dr. William L. Slout, one of the best-known theatrical and circus historians of our time. Complete with reproductions of numerous contemporaneous illustrations, plus a comperhensive index.

Includes the seminal "Early History of Negro Minstrelsy," by Col. T. Allston Brown, together with pen-and-ink portraits of the major minstrels, and a comprehensive index.

A premier study of the dramatic tent show's development.

Joseph Blackburn, a clown who juggled on horseback, took a professional trip to England in 1838, accompanied by the noted American vaulter and bareback rider, Levi J. North. His account of their experiences abroad encompasses activity with the circuses of

The Greenes were representative of a class of journeymen actors, who received but little attention by chroniclers of early nineteenth-century theatre history. Along with hundreds of other craftsmen of their day, they experienced frequent moments of tribulation and rare occasions of triumph-respected artists who bore their daily vicissitudes as an expected part of the theatrical life. They traveled from place to place applying their craft, appearing with many of the major performers of the era. Mrs. Greene's personal memoirs were originally serialized in The New York Clipper in the 1860s by Charles Durang, who supplied additional material from his experiences as an actor, promoter, and dancing master. The original publication has now been greatly expanded by William L. Slout. Contains a helpful Chronology, comprehensive Notes, and a detailed Bibliography, and Index.

The culmination of more than thirty years of research, Olympians of the Sawdust Circle is an attempt to identify every major and minor player in the American circus world of the nineteenth century. This A-Z guide lists: surname, given name, dates of birth and death (if known), type of entertainment (and function) with which the individual was associated, and the companies and dates by whom the person was employed. Every researcher and library interested in American circus history will need this seminal guide. An absolutely astonishing piece of scholarship.

A premier study of the dramatic tent show's development.

Covering the years 1870-75, this history celebrates the introduction of P. T. Barnum into circus proprietorship, an episode that connected his name and legend with this American institution for all time. By the middle of this decade, Barnum had become the most recognized personality of the nineteenth century--and a showman who is still remembered today. Complete with index, bibliography, notes, and contemporaneous illustrations.

William L. Slout, circus historian par excellence, here provides six essays on the development of the American circus. "From Rags to Ricketts: The Roots of Circus in Early Gotham" looks at the beginnings of circus entertainment in old New York City during the eighteenth century. "The Great Roman Hippodrome of 1874: P. T. Barnum's 'Crowning Effort'" describes the great showman's grand experiment: the collection and display in the Big Apple of the "largest collection of living wild animals in the world." "The Recycling of the Dan Rice Paris Pavilion Circus" tells the story of an American circus entrepreneur who took his traveling show to Europe in 1867. "Strange Bedfellows: The Pogey O'Brien Interval, 1874-1875" relates how O'Brien partnered with P. T. Barnum to take the circus master's show on the road while Barnum was creating his "Great Roman Hippodrome." "Two Rings and a Hippodrome Track" demonstrates that the first two-ring circus mounted by Barnum (or anyone else) occurred in 1873, and not 1872, as previously supposed. Finally, "The Adventures of James M. Nixon, Forgotten Impresario," describes the career of a major circus manager who worked between the 1843-75, directly competing with Barnum for the same audience--and eventually losing the struggle. Slout's vivid accounts, highlighted by contemporaneous newspaper accounts of the excitement generated locally by these traveling shows, help bring a long-forgotten era alive again.

These recollections of New York theatre life from the 1830s-1850s are selected from "Reminiscences of a Man About Town," a series of articles by Col. Tom Picton published in the New York Clipper between 1868-69. The impressions of the time are made vividly real from the actual experiences of the writer, who often mingled with the performers and directors. Complete with notes, index, and contemporaneous illustrations.

"Chilly Billy" was the nickname of circus mogul William Washington Cole, the chief rival of P. T. Barnum. Cole was born into a circus family in 1847, and beginning in 1870 and continuing through 1886, developed "Cole's Colossal Circus" into a money-making enterprise. He wisely invested his earnings in real estate, making himself a multimillionaire before finally closing down shop. Another landmark contribution to American circus history, complete with notes, index, bibliography, and contemporaneous illustrations.

This modern comedy highlights the clash between Denver Littlefield, a history professor at a California University, and his actress wife, Sarah Coleman, whose sudden surge in popularity after being cast in a popular soap opera threatens to swamp her husband's image and career.

Joseph Blackburn, a clown who juggled on horseback, took a professional trip to England in 1838, accompanied by the noted American vaulter and bareback rider, Levi J. North. His account of their experiences abroad encompasses activity with the circuses of

The culmination of more than thirty years of research, Olympians of the Sawdust Circle is an attempt to identify every major and minor player in the American circus world of the nineteenth century. This A-Z guide lists: surname, given name, dates of birth and death (if known), type of entertainment (and function) with which the individual was associated, and the companies and dates by whom the person was employed. Every researcher and library interested in American circus history will need this seminal guide. An absolutely astonishing piece of scholarship.

In this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," William L. Slout focuses on Jekyll's sublimation of his wantonness, and the hypocrisy of his unrestrained involvement in it. He loses control of his better self to the overpowering evil of his baser side. Herein lies the tragedy of the man and his times. A powerful modern version of this classic tale of horror. Illustrated with scenes from the first production of the play.

James A. Bailey and P. T. Barnum first joined forces to produce a double show in 1881--a royal coupling--inaugurating the "Golden Age" of the American circus. This book details some of the activity leading up to that notable landmark in amusement history, particularly during the decade of 1871-81. Complete with notes, bibliography, index, and contemporaneous illustrations.

Well-known theatre and circus historian William L. Slout here collects together 29 first-hand accounts of 19th- and early 20th-century popular amusements, including summer resorts, watering places, agricultural fairs, World's Fairs, the circus, vaudeville, theatre, and amusement parks. Complete with index, introduction, and contemporaneous illustrations.

The Greenes were representative of a class of journeymen actors, who received but little attention by chroniclers of early nineteenth-century theatre history. Along with hundreds of other craftsmen of their day, they experienced frequent moments of tribulation and rare occasions of triumph-respected artists who bore their daily vicissitudes as an expected part of the theatrical life. They traveled from place to place applying their craft, appearing with many of the major performers of the era. Mrs. Greene's personal memoirs were originally serialized in The New York Clipper in the 1860s by Charles Durang, who supplied additional material from his experiences as an actor, promoter, and dancing master. The original publication has now been greatly expanded by William L. Slout. Contains a helpful Chronology, comprehensive Notes, and a detailed Bibliography, and Index.

This is a second collection of 20 essays serialized in the "New York Clipper" between 1868-69 under the title, "Reminiscences of a Man About Town," with three additional pieces included that are also believed to have been penned by well-known man-about-town Tom Picton (1822-91). The "Clipper" was a major sporting and theatrical weekly issued between 1853-1924. Picton's memories of the clubs and theatres popular in New York City between roughly 1835-50 form the basis of these highly entertaining and historically informative reflections. Complete with illustrations, notes, and comprehensive index.

Professor Emeritus William L. Slout is the premier circus historian of his time, having edited or written several dozen books on theatre and circus life, in addition to such noteworthy plays as "The Trial of Dr. Jekyll." He lives and works in Southern California.

Includes the seminal "Early History of Negro Minstrelsy," by Col. T. Allston Brown, together with pen-and-ink portraits of the major minstrels, and a comprehensive index.

This is a second collection of 20 essays serialized in the "New York Clipper" between 1868-69 under the title, "Reminiscences of a Man About Town," with three additional pieces included that are also believed to have been penned by well-known man-about-town Tom Picton (1822-91). The "Clipper" was a major sporting and theatrical weekly issued between 1853-1924. Picton's memories of the clubs and theatres popular in New York City between roughly 1835-50 form the basis of these highly entertaining and historically informative reflections. Complete with illustrations, notes, and comprehensive index.

Professor Emeritus William L. Slout is the premier circus historian of his time, having edited or written several dozen books on theatre and circus life, in addition to such noteworthy plays as "The Trial of Dr. Jekyll." He lives and works in Southern California.

The articles that form this volume are compiled from the pages of the New York Clipper. Covering the three decades of the 1860s through 1880s, they convey a naive sentiment regarding the theatre of that day, self-conscious and protective, sensitive toward outside pressures and puritanical abuses, and self-critical of personal behavior within the little world of theatrical troupes. Here are marvelous first-hand accounts of the major theatres and players of the nineteenth-century American stage, compiled by Dr. William L. Slout, one of the best-known theatrical and circus historians of our time. Complete with reproductions of numerous contemporaneous illustrations, plus a comperhensive index.