A Three-Ring Circus of Names

During the Regency, Philip Astley and Astley’s Amphitheatre were household names. If you’re not familiar with what Astley’s was, it’s considered to be the first modern circus day with a ring.

 Philip Astley, the founder of Astleys’s is naturally considered the father of the modern-day circus since it was his brainchild. While he started his career as a regimental rough rider, he wanted to earn a living as a riding instructor and find a way to showcase his talents as a trick rider. So, in 1781, he opened his first exhibition theatre, the Amphitheatre of Arts, to showcase his riding abilities. 

 Later, the name changed to The Royal Grove, and then again to the Amphitheatre of Arts. Ironically, regardless of what the actual name was at any given time, the public generally referred to it as Astley’s Amphitheatre. Even the advertisements of the day referred to it that way and that’s the name it’s remembered by even today. 

But Philip Astley wasn’t the only equestrian to offer this form of entertainment during this era. What set him apart, though--aside from his extraordinary talent--was the fact that he began performing his acrobatic riding in a circular arena.

Prior to that time, these shows had been performed by riding in a straight line. The circular stage not only allowed him to use centrifugal force to perform better, it also allowed the audience a much better view.

 As time went on, Astley added other acts with additional riders, dancing dogs, tightrope walkers, jugglers, tumblers, clowns and combined everything into one show. Prior to this time, these types of entertainment had typically been performed as separate shows. Astley’s innovations in using the circular ring and combining these various types of performances laid the foundation for today’s circus.

 The theater also boasted another large stage which Astley made full use of. He was known for his extravagant shows and reenactments of military battles. Because of the large space, he was able to use hundreds of soldiers, horses and cannons with large explosions, which created a dramatic sense of realism.  One of his shows, The Battle of the Alma, even makes an appearance in the second book of my Surrender series, A Gentleman’s Surrender (-; .

 Philip Astley’s son continued the venue after his death in 1814 and the shows were popular into the Victorian Age until a fire destroyed the theater, but it lives on in Regency romance novels.