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The ringmaster, one unique administrator/manager but some modern approaches in new circus leans more to glamour or style like modern officers on cruise ships, image /lady ringmistresses in tights! Evenso the tasks of the ringmaster is most important.
each area of a touring circus must have a very good manager in each section or department. For the structure and the maintenance of the ‘Big Top’ is the Tentmaster in charge of the working staff and the management of. The animal section is under the Stablemaster although within that department could be several others in charge of different animals. The show transport is of course the Transport Manager who keeps the fleet roadworthy and selects who drives what vehicle where. There is the General Manager if it be a large show who controls the Box Office and the Front of House within the tent area to include the sales kiosks and all ordering of stock. Under him (or her) is also the Public Relations Department being most important for the image of the circus on tour and general PR to the public. Generally under him should be the advance promotion unit. This section is sized by the circus, big or smaller. To example Billy Smarts they toured 12 advance publicity personel under the main person generally called ‘the First Advance’ who (in those days) would call personally to arrange press cover and all on-site requirements for the circus and artistes. Again, regarding Billy Smarts the show was run by the family and any communication was called ‘from the Direction’.
Personally I served in the capacity of Ringmaster during the 1970 season. I have placed two poor photos taken from a video and you see I am involved with the Francesco Clown Troupe. This was a BBC television broadcast. It is obviously a most important and responsible job. The ringmaster is in charge of ‘the ring’ and the organised flow of each performance. All artistes props and and their apparatus are within his remit to make sure each item is placed correctly and publically safe. Each act and artistes may own and usually do own the equipment but the ringmaster has the final control. He is in charge of the ring-staff for the placing (sometimes in the dark! The audience may see a figure in dressing gown assisting – he would be the artiste). The ringmaster makes sure that each of the staff are well dressed before the public. He would be in regular contact with the management daily for daily instructions and to make sure that each performer or act is there on time – usually one act before their own – and also to run to time to avoid any extra time added, sometimes, by the artistes. It is usual and best that the ringmaster be an ex-artiste himself to fully understand the job required. During each day he may be in contact or, ‘go between’ the artistes and the management. He must try to be a neutral influent or conduit to calm and resolve any problems that may become larger on a touring circus. Each manager will claim more importance but personally I do think the ringmaster must by of main importance for ‘the ringmaster’ must be right every performance. Changing a wheel on a lorry might wait for the following day! Every new location could be a real challenge as with the weather and the occasional sloping ring that could be wet. The ringmaster may also present acts himself or take part within the clowning routines – he needs to be an actor. Traditionally he would be a fine horseman. I think he looks best in traditional dress with long red coat, black top hat and stiff shirt with white collar, and white bow tie. The hat is a great prop to wave around!
Here we see the wonderful Franceso family of clowns as I remember them. Quite brilliant routines and musicians. The wonderful aerial photograph is of Billy Smarts huge circus during the 1960s. 70 artistes. The main tent measures 225 ft in diameter and seated 6,000 capacity.
One of the finest circus posters ever produced in my view
