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Here we see an aerial photograph of the big show, most likely during the 1960s. Seventy performers with a total employment of 150 persons. The Advance Publicity establishement consisted of 12 vehicles and over 20 persons. The ‘Big Top’ measured 225 feet in diameter with a seating capacity of 6,000. Artistes caravans are shown in lines and the larger wagons were staff accommodation. To move this huge outfit started early on a given Saturday to after the last performance and would be completed at the next location mid-day on Sunday. Many staff were employed also the artistes contributed much but also casual staff were engaged at each town for build up and pull down. The heaviest items would be the main masts and two sets of these were used and the advance team would ‘leap frog’ one set to the location following so they would be ready for the circus arrival.
Personally I had the good fortune to spend two seasons with the big show. 1963 for the winter season clowning and the video below is of a BBC television broadcast of 1970 showing the Francescos family of clowns. I am the ringmaster.
https://www.facebook.com/jeanpierre.poissonnet/videos/10152890038050687/