‘This short book surveys New Circus in the ’80s, shows where it’s heading and explains how the reader might be affected … hard fact rubs shoulders with anecdote and the result is a fascinating international view with a particular spotlight on the USA and Australia. We’re offered an unsentimental, convincing account of good practice with both a re-examination of social and aesthetic values and romantic vision. Here are social benefits as well as fun and particular attention is paid to the relevance of circus for young people. The case for circus in education, with examples from American tertiary and higher education, is well-argued, as is the recommendation to establish circus schools throughout the UK… The appendices are crammed with useful facts about organisations, journals and circus schools together with a comprehensive bibliography. This is a good read and will be of interest to anyone working with young people or community groups.’ Neil Thompson, The Artful Reporter

‘Giving lots of examples, Reg Bolton shows how newly discovered circus related activities can benefit people on many different levels. A community circus can do a lot for local relations and can bring prestige to otherwise depressed city areas. His style is very personal and anecdotal … he has tracked down an astounding number of ‘people who matter’ in New and Old Circus and let them speak for themselves. At the same time, the clear structure means the book can be easily used as a reference work by anyone who wants to know what’s happening in his or her field or who’s looking for inspiration from the other fields.’ Kascade

Reg Bolton lectured in drama, circus and street theatre in many countries, and was lecturer in Theatre-in-Education and Circus Arts at the Academy of Performing Arts in Western Australia where he settled. He founded the Scottish Summer Circus School – Britain’s first – in 1977; he was a clown, an actor, an arts administrator, helped set up over 25 community circuses in the UK, the USA and Australia, and continued to be a freelance performer, director and community arts consultant. He was the author of Circus in a Suitcase, a practical manual published in the USA; and the editor of Suitcase Circus News, an occasional journal first produced in 1985.