Blackpool lights up to celebrate first day of Circus 250 years ago

On 9th January 1768, the equestrian, entrepreneur and showman Philip Astley drew out a ring and went on to fill it with astonishing acts – tumblers, horses, acrobats, jugglers, clowns. He created the first circus. Every circus, anywhere in the world, began at that moment.

To mark 250 years on the day since the birth of circus, the UK’s Cities of Circus – Bristol, Blackpool, Norwich & Great Yarmouth, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Belfast & Derry – are each projecting the Sir Peter Blake #Circus250 logo on to a significant building on Tuesday 9th January:

Here’s where and when:

Blackpool Tower Building – 4pm to 7pm

Derry Walls, Opposite Guildhall Square, Derry –  from 6pm

Hippodrome Great Yarmouth – Britain’s last surviving total circus building – from 5pm.

Norwich Castle in the city centre, clearly visible from Castle Meadow, Norwich Market and City Hall – 4pm to 10pm

Bristol, We The Curious,  Anchor Road, Harbourside – 11am

Newcastle-under-Lyme, The Guildhall, High Street – from 4.30pm

In Blackpool, the finishing touches are being put to plans to celebrate with a programme of live entertainment and art exhibitions.