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CIRCUS HISTORY

Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1946 Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1953
1946 1953

1946 heralded the first ever Billy Smart's Circus which appeared at Southall Park and then toured alongside Smart's Funfair.


The Circus became incredibly successful with the post-war general public and featured regularly on the fledgling BBC television programme. Televised Easter and Christmas Circus extravaganzas became "as vital to Christmas viewing as Morecambe & Wise" and made Smart's Circus the most legendary of all circuses travelling in the UK. Read about our present circus and our acts here.
Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1958 Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1961
1958-1960 1961-1962

Photo: Billy Smart's Circus visits Inverness in the 1950s.

1956 saw Billy Smart appear on the 'This is Your Life' programme. Smart was a man who led and lived the circus life to the full and was known for his larger-than-life presence, big fat cigar, Stetson hat and ebullient personality.

Photo: Circus Parade, Birmingham 1959.
"it brought back lovely memories - Karen, West Sussex"

He continued to bring his colourful circus to the masses throughout the 50's, 60's and into the 70's. Have a look at this show programme listings of circus performers from the 1960's. Billy Smart died in showman's style having just led a parade through the streets of Ipswich. Read more about Billy Smart's life at the Times, Guardian or Telegraph.

Watch a Circus Parade from Paisley 1960. "Wow great vid!"
Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1963 Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1972
1963 1972-1973

Newspaper Story (1950): A Circus Comes to Town

At the height of its powers Billy Smart's Circus toured the whole of Britian with a huge 6000 seater big top, an army of international circus artistes, and a 200 strong host of elephants, lions, horses, polar bears, camels, sealions, and chimpanzees.
Billy Smarts Circus brochure 1977 Billy Smarts Circus brochure 2004
1977 2004-2005

Historical Circus Posters (allposters.com)

In 2001, some thirty years later, Billy Smart's Circus is back on the road with a modern and sophisticated Spectacular bringing circus thrills, fun and laughter to new generations. 2005 features added surprises and innovations from this internationally acclaimed all-human production.

Go see it! You won't be disappointed!



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