Amphitheatre Anglais
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The Amphithéâtre Anglais in Paris, also known as the Amphithéâtre Astley, was opened in 1782 by Philip Astley as the first purpose-built circus in France.
Located on a large site in the Rue du faubourg du Temple, it was originally a round theatre constructed in wood, with two seating levels and lit by 2,000 candles. The theatre was open four months out of the year and featured equestrian performances interspersed with juggling and other acts.
It was sold in 1791 during the French Revolution to Antonio Franconi, who made extensive additions and alterations to the site and renamed it the Cirque Olympique.
The theatre was destroyed in a fire in 1826.
[edit] References
- Almanach du voyageur à Paris et dans les lieux les plus remarquables du royaume. Paris: Hardouin, 1787. Pg 219. Early description of the theatre- available online at the BNF
- Architectonographie des théâtres de Paris, ou Parallèle historique et critique de ces édifices considérés sous le rapport de l'architecture et de la décoration. Paris : impr. de P. Didot l'aîné: Orgiazzi, 1821. Pp 223-226. Extensive description of the theatre and later alterations- available online at the BNF
- Tristan Remy. Les Clowns. Paris: Grasset, 2002. [1]
