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The Sandow Family Circus Variety History – Part Nineteen.
1978 and a Change of Policy.
When we terminated the Funtime Circus tours in 1977 it was clear that our £500 marquee had come to a very worthy end of life. For those who believe in luck this marquee had been most lucky to us – thousands and thousands of patrons through the tent flaps over the previous two seasons. It had done great service. We thought about buying a new tent but on the other hand contracts were coming our way for the better theatre clubs and cabarets, like the Talk of the North and the Batley Variety club where we worked a week with the star P J Proby.
This is a photo of the famous Batley Variety Club.
In Nightclub Cabaret
We also had a fine contract to consider for the Isle of Wight for the Warner Holiday Centres and we now had the two acts for engagement with Sheila’s fantails. So, on balance we packed the unit away minus the old marquee and signed for the Warner’s season. This was a great circuit, so compact and enjoyable. Five camps all within 30 minutes of driving time. We fell in love with the Isle of Wight! We also became a little reluctant about touring circus again for, even if our show was deliberately small it was still a seven days a week business to run and other persons to engage and deal with. Further, the politics of general circus were not as unified as the past. Mainstream circuses began to outbid each other for ground and site fees payable. Even towards the close of 1977 we found that local authorities – hearing the word ‘circus’ – would be increasing the rents (for us likely to pay in 1978) because, ‘if the big circuses are happy to pay double then what is so different about you!’ To add to this problem was the state of the country’s economy, one might remember the climb in interest rates and unemployment along with inflation. It became clear that the managing body of The Proprietors Association had really lost influence or lacked the will, whatever, to run the business correctly. It might seem this has been the case since. Circus was losing prime locations because of the wild animal issues and frankly, the more influential names were losing influence whilst the more unprofessional were coming forward. One being a (sorry!) ex- circus fan/taxi driver who toured lions! The national press made much of this and this kind of thing became unhelpful to our small unit.
Here are some relaxed family photos taken on the Isle of Wight.
At the bird sanctuary.
Show Business and Innovation!
The most innovative of pop groups must have been the Beatles. Changing styles and music constantly and so brilliantly and at the time I sometimes thought, no they have made a mistake this time but no, again it was a fantastic success. For ourselves, we were at a crossroads with the then growing problems of circus to consider. Should we purchase a new circus tent or not? We made the decision to be debated rightly or wrongly but such is life. In the event we were again most lucky. Although we had worked for adult audiences in clubs I have always been a children’s entertainer at heart. I do understand their needs. In any case a speciality act only has a certain shelf life whereas comedy or a comedian (Ken Dodd is still active at 90 years!) can be appreciated longer. We were offered another season by the Warner Centres for another area of the South but we did not take the offer up, I think now that this was a mistake. Anyway we decided to tour a show again under canvas as The Sandows Super Clowns, again engaging artistes under a new tent. This new structure I actually designed myself. Chiefly we thought that local authorities would be more relaxed about site fees but this was not the case, they still treated it as a circus. However, our friends in the North West did provide a sponsored Civic tour and this was (as always) most profitable to the authorities involved.
For those interested in design. The structure was based on a four pole rectangle with the front pair anchored to the lorry for front security against wind. The tent was amphitheatre using the two poles from the marquee, all side poles and wallings. The seating was the same but the flat loading trailer became the basis for a stage – it was a stage show with drapes plus changing area at the rear of stage (steps up). The side door of the lorry opened to provide space for the music console. Perhaps it should have had a design award! Total cost was £5,000 (in 1979 prices).
The show toured for two seasons until the economy dictated that the costs were no longer viable. However the best of clowns and acts were engaged including Arco the comedy strongman, seen here along with an engaged magic act clown.
