Astley, Philip
Other Business Names:
- Astley, John
- London Amphitheatre
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Dublin, Ireland
- Lambeth, Greater London, Greater London, Greater London, England
- Paris, France
Sectors:
-
Recreation activities
Circus, menagerie, zoo, etc, management
Notes:
Philip Astley, c1742-1814, was a circus proprietor who originated the circus genre when he established his 'riding school' in London in 1768 where performances using horses were given to paying audiences. The next year it moved to its 'Amphitheatre' premises at the south end of Westminster Bridge where he gradually broadened the contents of his shows. Went on to develop other amphitheatres - he had three in London in 1790s - and also established a troupe for travelling both in Britain and in Ireland, France, etc. In 1782 he opened an amphitheatre in Paris and in 1788 another in Dublin. As part of his circus acts developed the comic character 'Billy Buttons'. Achieved substantial popularity and prestige both in Britain and in France and Ireland. His business was inherited by his son, John, c1768-1821, and the London Amphitheatre was sometime acquired by the Sanger family of circus proprietors
Publications:
- Astley's Amphitheatre and the Early Circus in England, 1768-1830 by Kwint, Marius
- Circus Genius. A tribute to Philip Astley, 1742-1814 by Bemrose, Paul J
- Father of the Modern Circus, 'Billy Buttons'. The life and times of Philip Astley by Ward, Steve
- Legitimization of the circus in late Georgian England by Kwint, Marius
- The First Circus. The story of Philip Astley by Selby-Lowndes, Joan
- Who Was Philip Astley, Inventor of the Circus by Stroud, Nell
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Astley, John
- London Amphitheatre
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Dublin, Ireland
- Lambeth, Greater London, Greater London, Greater London, England
- Paris, France
Sectors:
- Recreation activities Circus, menagerie, zoo, etc, management
Notes:
Philip Astley, c1742-1814, was a circus proprietor who originated the circus genre when he established his 'riding school' in London in 1768 where performances using horses were given to paying audiences. The next year it moved to its 'Amphitheatre' premises at the south end of Westminster Bridge where he gradually broadened the contents of his shows. Went on to develop other amphitheatres - he had three in London in 1790s - and also established a troupe for travelling both in Britain and in Ireland, France, etc. In 1782 he opened an amphitheatre in Paris and in 1788 another in Dublin. As part of his circus acts developed the comic character 'Billy Buttons'. Achieved substantial popularity and prestige both in Britain and in France and Ireland. His business was inherited by his son, John, c1768-1821, and the London Amphitheatre was sometime acquired by the Sanger family of circus proprietorsPublications:
- Astley's Amphitheatre and the Early Circus in England, 1768-1830 by Kwint, Marius
- Circus Genius. A tribute to Philip Astley, 1742-1814 by Bemrose, Paul J
- Father of the Modern Circus, 'Billy Buttons'. The life and times of Philip Astley by Ward, Steve
- Legitimization of the circus in late Georgian England by Kwint, Marius
- The First Circus. The story of Philip Astley by Selby-Lowndes, Joan
- Who Was Philip Astley, Inventor of the Circus by Stroud, Nell