From: "Preston Foerder" <preston-AT-pfpuppetry.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 13:05:37 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Flea circuses


Saw an excellent flea circus in Baltimore a few years ago.

http://www.period-productions.com/FleaCircus.html

and

http://www.snakeoilproductions.com/fleacircus.html

Preston

-----Original Message-----
From: puptcrit-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org
[mailto:puptcrit-bounces-AT-lists.driftline.org] On Behalf Of Christopher
Hudert
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 12:48 PM
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Flea circuses


On Jun 21, 2006, at 11:34 AM, Steve Axtell wrote:

> At 08:24 AM 6/21/2006, you wrote:
>
>> ... I've been a fan of Victorian flea circuses with little props and 
>> tight ropes for a long time.   One of the neatest things about Mr
>> Kraus' show, however, was that he could perform it really without 
>> anything, almost, other than his and the audience's imagination.
>
> It's a fascinating subject.  Here's a great page of info.
> http://www.fleacircus.co.uk/
>
> Steve Axtell

  Thanks for the link Steve. I have been contemplating building a flea 
circus show (as well as a variety marionette circus show) since I was 
in the Circus.  Last weekend I shared the stage with the Alberti Flea 
Circus at the Batteau Festival in Lynchburg VA. I was doing my 
"Travelin' Jack & Co." show which is American folk tales performed in 
and around a hand puppet booth. Shades and suggestions of Punch abound 
in the show, but I digress.
  Any way, isn't part of the beauty of the flea circus that it is 
usually done with a minimum of props and "invisible" puppet fleas made 
up entirely of the salesmanship of the presenter and the imagination of 
the audience? My impression has always been that it is a few simple 
props and a lot of storytelling and salesmanship. Is this not correct?
  BTW, I know of only two or three flea circus, traditional or 
otherwise, that are traveling today in the US. Any one know of others?
There is the Alberti Flea Circus and Adam Gertsacov's Acme Miniature 
Flea Circus, both primarily on the east coast. Someone mentioned Rob 
D'Arc's show, but is that a full show that he tours or just something 
he enjoys as a passing "distraction"?
  I need to do a little more research on this, but I don't really want 
to reinvent the wheel (or flea circus) so if any one can recommend some 
books or video, in addition to that on the above site, and/or first 
hand experience I'd love to hear about it.

Christopher

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