Q 01/05

Who is regarded as the 'father of the modern circus'?

A) P. T. Barnum

B) Philip Astley

C) John Ringling

D) Charles Hughes

Answer · why

B) Philip Astley

The English cavalryman began trick-riding shows in a London field in 1768 and added acrobats and a clown two years later.

Q 02/05

In what year and city did Astley put on his first public show?

A) 1793, Philadelphia

B) 1782, Paris

C) 1750, Vienna

D) 1768, London

Answer · why

D) 1768, London

He and his wife Patty performed on Easter Monday, 4 April 1768, at Ha'penny Hatch in Lambeth, near today's Waterloo station.

Q 03/05

What is the standard diameter of a circus ring, fixed by Astley?

A) 48 feet

B) 55 feet

C) 42 feet

D) 65 feet

Answer · why

C) 42 feet

It was the minimum size that let a rider stand upright on a cantering horse; his first ring had been 65 feet.

Q 04/05

Where does the word 'circus' come from?

A) Greek for 'horse'

B) Latin for 'circle'

C) Old French for 'tent'

D) Latin for 'crowd'

Answer · why

B) Latin for 'circle'

Astley called his ring 'the Circle'; the term 'circus' was coined by his rival Charles Dibdin for the Royal Circus in 1782.

Q 05/05

Who coined the term 'circus' when he opened the Royal Circus in London in 1782?

A) Philip Astley

B) Charles Dibdin

C) Andrew Ducrow

D) John Bill Ricketts

Answer · why

B) Charles Dibdin

He was a writer of pantomimes, working with the equestrian Charles Hughes.