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Sideshow

Encyclopedia : S : SI : SID : Sideshow

For the informal automotive skills event, see sydeshow.
For the Broadway musical, see Side Show.
For Australian usage see Sideshow alley.
''For the MSU-based comedy program, see Sideshow (Michigan State University).
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction. Its proper name is a "Ten in One", referring to the practice of having a revolving show of ten acts under a single tent. When a single person or object is featured, it is known as a single-o.

Contents

SideShows of the past

Current Status of the American SideShow

Today only a few "Ten in One" shows remain active in the world. The Sideshow by the Seashore sponsored by Coney Island USA in Brooklyn, NY is perhaps the oldest. Hall and Christ's World of Wonders is one of the few shows that still tours the fairground circuit. Former phone salesman Jim Rose runs a modern sideshow called Jim Rose Circus.

A few modern day shows that have toured extensively. The Jim Rose Circus and The Bindlestiff Family Circus fall into this category. Most other shows are sedentary to a city or region, with a few doing spot dates in different locations. There are also numerous solo SideShow artists performing across the US, mostly in spot engagements and corprate events.

The Club scene had been a boon for SideShows during 2002-2004 time period. This resurgence has been largely attributed to the rebellious image of SideShow. 2005 has seen a marked decline in spectator interest in SideShow on both the club and corporate events scenes. Opinions on the reasons for this decline range from too many poor quality performances (this issue is often raised in the New York area), to audience fatigue, or a "been there, done that" mentality among the college set. The saturation of performers in the New York area may also be a factor.

Interestingly enough, the Jim Rose Circus continues to see large audiences, despite the general down-turn of the SideShow.

Other active SideShows

Most of today's SideShows consist mainly of 'working acts' and 'made freaks' as well as the classic curiosity displays.

History Documentation Projects

Many history projects chronicling the amazing, yet virtually untold sideshow past have recently sprung up, including:

  1. http://showhistory.com
  2. http://sideshowworld.com

Hierarchy

Sideshows of old had a hierarchy of performers in terms of prestige, with "Born Freaks", people with congenital physical peculiarities, at the top, followed by "Made Freaks" such as tattooed men and women, and "Working Acts" such as sword swallowers and fire eaters. Contrary to contemporary perceptions, which holds the term freak show to be pejorative, many of the "Born Freaks" were not looked down upon by their fellow performers, and many were in fact the owners and operators of the shows.

Today the hierarchy is largely based on the abilities of the performers.

SideShow Acts and Skills

Fire breathers risk burns, both internal and external, as well as poisoning in the pursuit of their art.
Enlarge
Fire breathers risk burns, both internal and external, as well as poisoning in the pursuit of their art.

Main article: [Circus skills]
The sideshow world includes a wide array of performers and performance types. The major categories include Human Oddity Acts (Natural acts, such as the fat lady, etc), Working Acts (acts people train to be able to perform, such as Fire breathing), Animal acts (such as a Flea Circus, or Snake Charming act), Illusions, and Museum Shows (including pickled punks).

 

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