It’s 250 years since modern circus was created and the Productores de Sonrisas company is staging a new show at Madrid’s IFEMA venue to celebrate this anniversary.
Circlassica is a family show set in a magical world that features tightrope walkers, trapeze artists and jugglers, and tells the story of Nim, a clown who wants to win the heart of a dancer called Margot.
A live orchestra provides accompanying music to the acrobatics, humour and performance that make up this production. It was written by Emilio Aragón, a popular Spanish-Cuban actor, writer, composer, director and comedian, whose own father was a famous clown known as Miliki.
The history of modern circus dates from 1768 when Philip Astley opened the first show in England.
Astley was a skilled horseman and his performance featured him doing tricks on horseback and riding in a circle rather than a straight line as was the norm; it was this style of riding that gave rise to the name ‘circus’.
A few years later, Astley added other artistes including acrobats, tightrope walkers and clowns, who were originally there to fill in spaces between other acts.
When: 23 November – 27 January 2019
Where: IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Av. Partenón, 5
More info: circlassica.es