#CircusHistory Episodes
The deep history of the American circus in Philadelphia - most especially the equestrian circuses of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
9
May 14, 2021
9. Chaos Comes to Walnut Street
The hurricanes of World History blow a French equestrian circus company all the way to Philadelphia. The Walnut Street Theatre is born.
6
April 2, 2021
6. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Four
The final installment of our story about John Bill Ricketts, with more adventures about his equestrian circus and theatrical troupe.
5
March 26, 2021
5. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Three
John Bill Ricketts completes his 1793 season of shows in Philadelphia - and gets out of town just in time to avoid the Yellow Fever.
4
March 26, 2021
4. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part Two
We look at the influence of the English equestrian Phillip Astley, and how the equestrian circus was developing into an international form of popular entertainment in the late 18th Century.
3
March 26, 2021
3. Ricketts' Circus in the Capital City, Part One
John Bill Ricketts, the English Equestrian, arrives in Philadelphia, and attracts the attention of a Very Important Person.
2
March 26, 2021
2. Early Philadelphia Theater in the 18th Century
A broad overview of Philadelphia theater and its contribution to American drama - from the founding of Pennsylvania to the end of the 18th century.