Courses

Bread & Circuses

Course:	Bread & Circuses
Tutor:	Geraldine Beare
Start Date:	5th April 2018
Start Time:	09.45am
End Time:	4.00pm
Fee:	£54.00 What's included?

It was Juvenal who, in around AD100 gave us the expression, ‘Bread and Circuses’ referring to the free wheat and expensive games provided by Rome. Circuses at that time were entertainments for the masses with death an accepted part of the action. Over the centuries, the circus changed and evolved and now it is rare to find animals as part of the act though clowns, jugglers and breathtaking high-wire acts are de rigeur. This course will look at the history of the circus and will include Roman gladiators, medieval street performers, clowns, strong women, contortionists and many more. Bertram Mills, Gerry Cottle and Cirque du Soleil will take a bow and although spit and sawdust will not be provided refreshments will! 

Tutor Information

Geraldine Beare

Geraldine Beare is a professional indexer and writer. She has indexed Punch(1890-1970), contributed biographical articles for the New DNB (Dictionary of National Biography) and is at present indexing film newsreels of the 20th century. She was for many years a member of a historical newspaper discussion group based at London University and has collaborated with the British Library Newspaper Library at Colindale, North London, on the indexing of local newspapers.

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