3-ring circus
Details:
A 3-ring circus (from Latin word for ‘circle’) is a performance space which includes three circles and is used to entertain an audience with animal acts and human feats of courage.
The three rings are an expansion of the original single-ring performance space introduced by Philip Astley in 1768. The ringed area is used as the stage, and is surrounded by raked seating. The ring shape also makes it easier for a rider to balance while standing on the back of a galloping horse.
American showman [developed by] P.T. Barnum* first introduced the 3-ring circus in 1881. He and a former rival, James A. Bailey, joined forces to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus, billed as the “Greatest Show on Earth”.
They added two rings to the traditional single
ring so as to attract more spectators and make more money. In order to fill the seats, they included more wild-animal acts, side-show performers, and trapeze artists.
The term “3-ring circus” is also used to describe chaotic and disorderly events.
ONELINER: 3-ring circus
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Encyclopedia Britannica