Circus poster, c.1798.The broadside advertises an evening performance in Hull by the famous equest
Circus poster, c.1798. The broadside advertises an evening performance in Hull by the famous equestrian, wire-dancer, juggler, bird imitator and strongman, Peter Ducrow (1765-1815). Ducrow was born in Bruges and known as the “Flemish Hercules” for his strongman prowess. This performance features the “Infant Hercules”, Ducrow’s five year old son, Andrew, who would go on to be even more famous than his father. The broadside notes that the troop are recently returned from a performance in Lisbon where the young Andrew is supposed to have made his debut performance. With two woodcut illustrations at the head of the sheet showing balancing men and tumblers with a barrel of fire. Also included on the bill is a shadow theatre performance “Ombres Chinoises”, a play called “Rural Courtship”, and a number of songs including “The Sailor’s Journal” and “Katty Flanigan”. -- source link
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