First modern circus

Philip Astley (1742–1814), a former cavalry sergeant major turned trick rider, originated the first modern circus when he added acrobats, rope-dancers and clowns to his hitherto purely equestrian show. The event occurred in the spring of 1770, at Astley’s Riding School, located at the corner of Stangate Street and Westminster Bridge Road in the borough of Lambeth, in London, UK. The circus was not referred to as a circus until the opening of the Royal Circus by Charles Hughes (1747–97) 4 November 1782.

The show was given on a circular arena measuring 19.7 metres (65 feet) in diameter, generally called a “circus” (as in Piccadilly Circus, London) or “circle” – hence the name “circus show”, an appellation that has no connection (contrary to what is often assumed) with the much older Roman circus.

Philip Astley built the first circus in continental Europe, which opened in Paris, France, on 16 October 1783, and was located at 16, rue du Faubourg du Temple.

The equestrian John Bill Ricketts (c.1770–1800) established the first circus on the American continent, which opened in Philadelphia, USA, on 3 April 1793 at the corner of Market and Twelfth Streets.

John Bill Ricketts also established the first Canadian circus in August 1797 in Montreal, Canada, near Recollet Gate.

John Bill Ricketts’s competitor in America, the British equestrian Philip Lailson, established the first circus in Latin America in Mexico, in 1800.