Barnum & Bailey Circus in Vienna, 1900 - 1901
Close this window to continue
In 1900-1901, the famous Barnum & Bailey circus toured Continental Europe, This advertisment from the Viennese daily,
the Neue Freie Presse of Sunday 25 November 1900, gives us details of the tour and the scale and variety of acts presented by the Circus.
The circus opened in Vienna on that day at the Rotunda, Vienna's "Crystal Palace", and performed daily until February 24th 1901. After leaving
there, it moved on to Budapest where it opened on April 7th.
It appears that William Frederick Wallett, "The Jester's" Grand-Nephew, and his family were touring with the circus as, on
April 16th 1901, his wife Florence May (née Lillo) gave birth, in Vienna, to their daughter, Florence May Lillo Wallett, who was then baptised at
Christ Church, the Anglican Church there on April 30th 1901 by the Rev William Henry Hechler, Chaplain to His Britannic Majesty's Embassy in Vienna.
William Frederick Wallett was the brother of Ada Loughlin née Wallett ("The Great Zazell"), wife of Dave Loughlin
(the adopted son of Dan Loughlin, one of the founders of Barnum & Bailey). His father was Clifford WALLETT who was the son of the Jester's brother
George.
This baptism entry and the newspaper advertisment have been provided by Christopher Wentworth-Stanley who has a specialist interest in
the British in Vienna in the 19th Century. He has also kindly provided the following English translation of the the advertisment.
Opening Today at 1 o'clock, Beginning 2.30 Evenings at 6 o'clock, Beginning 7.30 In the great Rotunda, Imperial and Royal Prater [Park] BARNUM & BAILEY Greatest Show on Earth The biggest, best, finest entertainment establishment in the World Begins today, after performances have taken place in Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Hanover, Cologne, Strasbourg, Metz, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Munich and other large cities. Performances every evening at 7.30 and also Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as each Bank Holidays in the afternoon at 2.30. The doors open for the public 1½ hours before each performance to allow visits to the splendid collection of natural wonders, the stables of 400 horses, the double menageries, the herds of elephants, camels and other attractions. This Afternoon and this Evening First performances in the Rotunda, which colossal building at enormous expense has been newly decorated, renovated and adapted specially for this Mighty and splendid American Entertainment Pleasantly heated. Elegantly Lit Great performances of Horse Dressage The greatest and most splendid Show that Man can think of. This greatest American Spectacle includes: An incomparable detachment of circus-riders full of real fascination and wonder offering a surplus of amazing feats and unexpected surprises, performing countless novelties and humorous scenes, rich with exciting moments and beautiful events. The manèges, arenas, stages, the ground and the upper area show a mind-dazzling display of the most accomplished productions. The Great Olympia Hippodrome presents wild animals, chariot races, running races, courageous fights, tests of speed, agility and stamina, each and every one of the greatest range. High- and long-jumps by horses and ponies, tempestuous and wild chariot fights, cavalry battles, acrobatic contests, challenges on saddleless horses, athletic and gymnastic tournaments. Olympic Games of captivating originality, the bravest Jockeys and Ladyriders in the World, the most humorous Clowns on Earth, the most amazing feats in the air and breathtaking flights through space. Whole Menageries of trained Wild Animals A real World Exhibition of Modern Spectacle 1000 Men, Women, Horses, midgets, tattooed men, sword swallowers, a long-haired bearded lady, a dog-headed boy, armless man, Wild Men of Borneo, an anvil-headed man, expanding and contracting men, Strongman, armless Japanese girl, legless man, Miramba players, man with elastic rubber skin, human ostrich, human pin cushion, spontaneous arithmetician, jugglers, 1000 original things and amazing sights. Seven open enclosures of trained wild animals, an almost endless series of the latest displays and feats of fearlessness and of daring courage that are to be seen nowhere else and are publicly shown for the first time. Everything to be seen on one ticket. Prices according to position |