InsaneJournal

the main acts.

When you find yourself performing in the Big Top, that's when you know you've made it in the circus. These are the acts that draw the crowds, bring in the most money and require an unfathomable amount of skill and showmanship.



AERIALISTS.

High fliers, trapeze artists, tumblers and catchers. These are the gymnasts of the circus world who use everything from aerial silk to bars, rings and rope. The most talented and skilled aerialists will perform without the use of a safety net, sometimes to their peril. Many aerial acts consist of husbands and wives and their children, due no doubt to the level of trust required between fliers.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. Five.
CHARACTERS. 001. 002.


HIGH WIRE.

Belonging in a category all of their own, despite the rubes' tendency to lump them together with the aerialists, high wire is nothing short of an art form. Requiring balance, agility and nerves of steel, these performers teeter above the Big Top to the delight of the crowds.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. Two.
CHARACTERS. 001. 002.


ELEPHANTS.

Still a rarity in many American circuses, these great beasts never fail to draw a crowd. Marvel as they balance on balls, rise up on their hind legs and graciously accept candy from the crowds.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. One Bull man (trainer). One performer.
CHARACTERS. performer.


LIBERTY HORSES.

These acts can consist of upwards of twelve horses at a time, all of whom remain under the control of a single performer. The horses respond to verbal and visible commands only and enter the ring unsaddled and unbridled. Few people can achieve the level of trust required between a liberty horse and their rider, as the latter will make the steeds rise on their hind legs, dance across the ring and even jump through hoops of fire. The performer will often leap from the backs of the white stallions as their colour hides the dust used to stick to the performer's feet.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. Two performers.
CHARACTERS. performer 001.



EXOTIC ANIMAL ACTS.

Man eating lions, ferocious tigers and dancing bears can all be found inside the Big Top. Find yourself on the edge of your seat as a trainer courageously -or perhaps foolishly- sticks his head inside a lion's mouth and marvel at the beauty of the dancing bears. The trainers of these beasts are often the only people in the circus allowed near them, with the exception of close family, as even the roustabouts won't volunteer to assist at feeding time. What the public often don't know though is that it's a common and often necessary practice to de-tooth many of these animals.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. One cat man (lions and tigers), one dancing bear trainer, one herdsman (zebras and giraffes). four shifters.
CHARACTERS. shifter 001. shifter 002. bear trainer.



TRICK RIDING AND HORSE OPERAS.

Extremely skilled and talented riders, these members of the circus will race around the ring hanging from the side of their horse, balanced on their hands or even leaping from their moving backs. The Horse Opera consists of a Wild West themed show; performers dressed in cowboy outfits, guns being shot at targets and even the appearance of the occasional can-can girl.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. FIVE.
CHARACTERS.


THE ILLUSIONIST.

Differing from the altogether seedier medium and tarot card reader, this is an act which will have you believing in magic once more. From Levitation to Death to the infamous Chinese Water Torture Cell, audiences will surely leave the ring scratching their heads. Whilst the assistant is often there to distract the audience from the tricks by using her feminine wiles, she is in fact a vital member of the team and required to be just as skilful as the two men she aids.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. two illusionists. one assistant. one roustabout (in case anything should go wrong).
CHARACTERS. illusionist 001. illusionist 002.


BALLY BROADS.

Women and girls who sing and dance in the circus spectacles. These girls may also work in the Aerial Ballet or ride menage horses, being generally useful throughout the entire performance. Bally Broads are always trained dancers -many of them coming from a background in ballet itself, hence the name. Bally Broads tend to remain with the show for many seasons working in a featured act and often marry a staff member of the show. Unlike the cooch dancers these girls do not sleep with men for money and there's hell to pay if they get caught doing so.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. FOUR DANCERS. ONE CHOREOGRAPHER.
CHARACTERS. dancer 001. choreographer 001.


THE CLOWNS.

One of the oldest forms of entertainment, the clowns are vital in warming up the crowd. The fireman act is particularly popular and many clowns use trained dogs to assist in their tricks.
MAXIMUM NUMBER. FOUR.
CHARACTERS. clown 001.