The A-Z of Popular Circus Acts

The circus is fun to visit and draw. Bright colors, noise and spectacle add up to an entertaining mix of skills, humor and excitement.


From clowns to trapeze artists there is something for all - especially children. Many people remember their first visit to the circus and this collection is a stick figure homage to those memories.


In adult life there are lessons to learn from the circus. Balancing acts, plate-spinning have similarities with busy working lives. How we cope is whether we become a ring-master or backstage worker, clown or juggler, or maybe a high-flying trapeze artist!


​Without further ado and with a huge sense of anticipation here is your ringmaster for the evening.

Circus Ringmaster Stickman is a fun hand drawn image showing the ringmaster introducing the next act.

Circus Ringmaster Stickman Gifts >>

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Welcome to the Circus!


​Put your hands together for the first act of the night - the gravity defying geniuses, airborne adventurers, titanic tumblers - the Amazing Acrobats!"

​​

​<applause>

Acrobats

The acrobats or tumblers are athletes and gymnasts who run, jump, spin and tumble across the ring.

Little equipment is required apart from costumes, optional springboard, athletic performers with a strong one to catch and support the others.  

​A typical act builds a human pyramid by climbing and bouncing performers higher and higher - each one being held by the supporter beneath them.

The successful completion of each leap and catch is accompanied by an exaggerated wave of the arm which encourages the audience to applaud.

​The tumblers are a great way to get movement, energy and excitement into the evening's performance.
Circus Stickmen Acrobats show their performance skills by running, leaping and somersaulting from a springboard and into the arms of the acrobat catcher.

Circus Stickmen Acrobats Gifts >>

Solo acrobats are similar to the gymnastic floor performances you might see at the Olympics.  Using props like rings and sashes, they create a balletic and athletic spectacle.
A solo circus acrobat performs act with a ring, plus grace, balance and power.

Acrobat Gifts

Animal Acts

The traditional circus relied heavily on trained animals for drawing in the crowds.  ​From dogs and horses through to elephants, lions and tigers - show animals were a popular attraction. 

Gradually people became concerned about animal welfare.  There are no animals who naturally do tricks in the wild.  To most people's relief the animal based circus act has largely disappeared.

An example of an old-time act is the seal balancing a ball.  Clever, entertaining and as we eventually decided - the wrong way to treat animals.

The expression "What am I - a performing seal?" illustrates the tricks and hoops we often have to jump through as part of daily life.
Performing Seal design shows a circus seal balancing a beach ball on its nose.

Circus Performing Seal Gifts

Audience

Where would the circus be without an audience?

The performance and survival of the circus needs a crowd of good natured people - adults and children - to enjoy the magic and thrills of the entertainment.

Gasp at the high flyers, laugh with the clowns and enjoy the spectacle of art, skill and danger that the circus provides.

If a travelling circus is coming to your area and you have a little free cash try to book tickets.  Share the experience with young children and friends.  Your goodwill and generosity will help to support this marvellous tradition of real entertainment.

Bed of Nails

Some circus acts involve the mysteries of the unexplainable.  Like the bed of nails which looks painful.

Does the showman enter a mystical state enabling him to ignore the pain of the nails?

Is there some trickery involving blunt nails and weight distribution?

Is he a fakir?  No, he does it for real.

An email from an artist who performed this act assures me that the nails are sharp and hurt!  Their other acts include walking on glass and a ladder of swords.  That is a hard way to make a living.
A circus performance artist lays on a bed of nails demonstrating the mystical act of mind over matter. The nail bed or acupressure mat can also be used for meditation enabling the user to answer questions such as

Bed of Nails Gifts >>

Big Top

The Big Top is a name for the traditional tent used by the travelling circus.

They would rent a field from a farmer and build this huge tent where the circus is performed.

Inside the Big Top is the Circus Ring where the acts perform.  This is a circle as its name suggests and the audience sit around it - with an area reserved for the acts to get ready and make their entrance.
Big Top Circus Tent design features a red and yellow striped tent with flaps open - welcoming the audience to the next show. A flag flies above the tent with

Circus Big Top Tent Gifts

Clowns

The clowns are the one of the most recognisable of circus acts.

A main part of the event they entertain the crowd while the arena is being prepared for other artists.

Although the clowns may put on a silly act they are hugely talented performers.  Many of them can tumble, juggle and fire-eat and at least one will be able to ride a unicycle.

​Some small children and large adults are scared of clowns.  Now who on earth would be scared of a madman with a big red nose, ridiculous feet and odd-looking clothes?
Three hand drawn circus clowns in a fun stickman style design with red noses, funny shoes, buckets of water and a balloon.

Circus Clowns Gifts >>

Contortionist

A person with a strong flexible and supple body who is able to bend into a variety of painful looking positions. 


Sometimes described as double-jointed but that may not be a real medical term.


The act can involve squeezing into small boxes, large bottles, balancing on tables and chairs. A common position is a complete back bend where the head of the contortionist ends up between their legs.


Some Yoga positions also require flexibility but they are more about achieving an inner peace and tranquility than the performance art of the circus or street contortionist.

Contortionist Stickman is a fun hand drawn image showing some superb back-bending skills. Some flexible art - stick style!

Contortionist Stickman Gifts >>

Custard Pie

THE single best visual joke in the whole world ever is the custard pie gag.

Please don't think for a moment you just push the pie in someone's face.  That is funny but it doesn't scratch the surface of selling the joke to the audience.  The presentation of the gag, the anticipation, the timing and the delivery of the pie.

It is a high form of entertainment art - the ultimate in slapstick humor.

An experienced clown will hook the audience with what is coming.  Here is the pie, there is the fall guy and wait while I set him up for the delivery.  After much build up the pie is finally delivered to the face of the unsuspecting victim.

It must be a great feeling to make a tent full of kids roar with laughter and delicious delight.

A check on Wiki reveals that "non consensual pieing is a punishable offence".  You have been warned.
Slapstick humor as a clown prepares to plant a custard pie in the face of the victim. The classic circus custard pie gag known as pieing consists of setup, anticipation, timing and delivery. For practical jokers, humorists, circus fans and those who deserve to give, or receive, a custard pie in the face!

Clown with Custard Pie Gifts

Escapology

Or Escape Artists. Tie the performer up, lock him in a suitcase, a straitjacket, suspend upside down in water - a whole range of dangerous looking confinements for the escapologist to escape from.


For the most part there are tricks involved. An accomplice ties special knots which are easy to undo or there are false panels to escape through. 


​Harry Houdini was the most famous escapologist of all. Perhaps the true Escape GOAT.

Escapology design features secure locked box with chains, strap and nails. An escapologist finds a way out through a secret trap door.

Escapology Gifts

Fire Breathing

Fire breathing is a spectacular looking act. It appears far more dangerous than it actually is. 


Otherwise there would be less fire-breathers.


They don't eat the fire but blow flames into the air. There are skills to learn and for children brought up NOT to play with matches - it is very exciting.


Fire-breathing or fire-eating is definitely a "Do not try this at home" form of entertainment.  If you need to get a similar experience eating a hot chilli might work.


Fire Breathers blow a plume of flames into the air. Fire Eaters extinguish the flames in their mouth.  

A fun hand drawn Fire Breathing Stickman design shows our performer blowing a spectacular plume of fire into the air.

Fire Breathing Stickman Gifts >>

Hand Balancing Act

The hand balancing act is one of those simple skills involving someone who spends the entire act upside down.

There is a variety of balance equipment they use - one example is where the artist adds wooden blocks to gradually raise themselves higher and higher.

It is difficult to stress the lack of danger involved but they do their best to increase the tension.  A wobble here or there to give the impression of an act on the edge.

These performers have strong arms, a sense of balance, gymnastic skills and artistry.
Handstand Stickman is a fun hand drawn design showing a performer hand balancing on building blocks. A circus or street performance act where the artist spends most of the time upside down.

Handstand Stickman Gifts >>

Horses

Horses running round the ring while a rider stands up, turns round, jumps on and off.  If you have ever ridden a horse or sat on a pony you will appreciate how hard that is to do.

Trick riding or equestrian arts is an old skill dating before the circus.  Possibly created by the Cossacks who used it in warfare.  Quite how they used it is a question for another time.

Extreme dressage could be another way of describing it.

​An expert trick rider is pictured in the design.
Trick riding design shows a stunt rider standing on the back of horse while galloping at full speed.

Trick Riding Horse and Rider Gifts

Human Cannonball

This act involves a man climbing into a cannon and being shot across the circus ring into a safety net.

He climbs in and waits patiently while the fuse is lit.  There is a loud bang, lots of smoke and our hero is fired all the way across the stage - hopefully landing in the large net in the target area.

With the eyes of adults we might suspect this of being an act but to young children it is very real.

​There he is!  And still wearing his safety helmet which helps to hide his face.

One of the few acts where the performer always gets fired.
The human cannonball - man inside a cannon waiting to be fired

Human Cannonball Gifts >>

Juggling

Juggling is a skill you CAN try to learn at home where learning to juggle three balls is a real achievement.

Jugglers in the circus can do way more than that.  ​Several balls at one time, clubs, hoops, burning sticks, knives - they juggle an extraordinary range of items.

Juggling is one of my favorite performance acts.  It requires practice, hand-eye coordination and a fun accompanying patter to keep the crowd engaged.
Juggling three balls and balancing on a rola bola board - a circus juggler with style and skills.

Juggling Gifts >>

Knife Throwing

The act involves one person throwing knives at, or very close to, another person.

Is this act even allowed in these days of Health and Safety?  Let's hope so.

There is a wonderful balance between safety and excitement.

How close should the knife-thrower aim to the human target?  How much trust does the target place in the thrower?  Did they have an argument before the act started?

The more exciting the knife-throwing, the more relief when it is over.  It is a fine example of the real flesh and hopefully not too much blood entertainment that the circus offers.

Does it need saying?  DON'T try this at home!
Knife throwing design shows a circus knife thrower with knives and partner standing as a stationary target. The idea of the knife act is to miss as closely as possible. Trust your partner and shut your eyes - unless you are the one throwing the knives.

Knife Throwing Act Gifts >>

Lion Taming

Although animal training and performance has no place in entertainment - the spectacle of the lion tamer and the lions is a part of circus tradition.

The magnificence of the animal and the bravery of the lion tamer were big draws for the traditional circus.

The picture below makes the lion taming act palatable for sensitive souls.  The lion is friendly but acts fierce, the lion tamer has no whip.  Off stage they are best friends.  

​Sometimes the lion misbehaves if he doesn't get a biscuit.  One of the smaller clowns went missing a while back after cleaning the lion's sleeping quarters.  They found his red nose and one shoe.  
Lion Taming design shows a lion tamer and his circus lion together in a friendly graphic.

Lion and Lion Tamer Gifts >>

Magician

Magic acts can be part of a circus performance.


The acts performed by a magician will tend to be large scale illusions creating a theatrical effect in the ring. No good performing close-up magic with some playing cards and a stooge.


That rabbit appearing from a hat needs to be big, able to ride a horse and ideally juggle as well.

A magician taps the hat with his magic wand and a rabbit appears as the act reaches its dramatic conclusion. A fun design for amateur magicians. No rabbits harmed, etc.

Magician and Rabbit in Hat Gifts >>

Plate-Spinning

Plate spinning is one of those acts where the performance is more to do with building anticipation and excitement in the audience - rather than any great ability with the equipment.

The act consists of spinning plates on top of bamboo canes being controlled by the entertainer.  It is his job and skill to engage with the crowd and get them to help him spot which plate is in danger of wobbling off and smashing on the ground below.

​There is much rushing around as he somehow manages to spin eight, nine, ten plates at once and take his round of applause.

There are similarities to real life where we try to keep an eye on all our responsibilities - social, business, family and financial.  An endless round of keeping the plates spinning.
Circus plate spinning performer spins different color plates balanced on bamboo canes. For busy people who spend their time multitasking and endlessly spinning plates.

Plate Spinning Gifts >>

Ringmaster

The boss of the show for the night - the circus ringmaster introduces the acts. 


Part performer, emcee and master of ceremonies, the circus ringmaster prompts the crowd to show their appreciation for the previous performance and gets them pumped and primed for the next incredible act.


Sometimes he has to tell off the clowns for being naughty but maybe tonight they will behave.


Ringmaster pic at top of page.

Snake Charming

The mystic plays a pipe and the snake is hypnotised by the music. It rises slowly from its basket.


This ancient trick or act is mostly performed in streets and sideshows.


It is not clear how much the snake is entranced by the pipe playing. It may rise up because the basket lid has been removed and it wants fresh air. Maybe it can feel the noise of the pipes and associates it with feeding time.


​Many snake charmers go on to be successful politicians and car sales people.

Snake charmer plays pipe to snake rising from a basket.

Snake Charming Gifts >>

Stilt-Walking

One of the immediate visual appeals of the circus is the arrival of the clowns and other performers marching through the town on stilts.

Impossibly tall people making a real impact, stilt-walking is still a feature of many parades.

For young children seeing these tall giants was a thrill.  The circus is coming to town!

Learning to walk on a  homemade pair of wooden stilts is definitely a fun thing to do at home.
A pair of clowns on stilts in the traditional circus parade

Stilt Walking Gifts >>

Strongman

The circus strongman would often be dressed in a one piece costume. 


​He could lift heavy weights, bend iron bars and hammer nails into wood with his bare hands.


Sometimes he might lay down and let his assistants break concrete slabs on his chest with a sledgehammer.


Fashion tip - that leopard print look is not easy to pull off.

ed: Not easy to pull on either

Circus strongman in leopard skin costume holds heavy weight.

Circus Strongman Gifts >>

Sword-Swallowing

This act disobeys all sensible health and safety rules. 


It is extremely dangerous looking and an absolute no-no for anyone who might be tempted to copy the act.


They must use trick swords or insert a metal tube before starting the act so the sword can be swallowed safely. I don't even want to think about them doing it for real.

A fun hand drawn design shows a Sword Swallowing Stickman. This guy is an expert with a long career in front of him.

Sword Swallowing Stickman Gifts >>

Tightrope Walking

There are two types of tightrope walking in my mind.


The high wire - where a straight tensioned line is strung high above the ring. The funambulist (oh yes) holds a long balancing bar and walks across the line with much build-up. Other performers may increase the excitement by not using a balancing bar or riding a bicycle across it.


There is also the sloppy slack line with a clown-style artiste. He will build up excitement for his line walking on a much lower line. When he steps onto the line - it sags down to the ground and he does stumbling and falling which requires more skill than it appears.


​The tightrope is another circus act that has similarities with our own lives. Taking those first steps towards a new challenge, maintaining an even balance in life. 


​Don't look down!

Tightrope Walking Stickman is a fun hand drawn design showing our intrepid funambulist with hat and cane balancing on a rope somewhere high in the air.

Tightrope Walking Stickman Gifts >>

Trampolining

Trampolines are often used as a safe way for trapeze and other high wire acts to safely return to earth.

They can also be a stand alone circus act with expert performers creating an entertaining and visually impressive performance.

The great thing about trampolining is the activity is available to anyone (with a trampoline) at any level.  From simple bouncing to multiple somersaults - it is a fun way to get some exercise.

While jumping and somersaulting imagine being in front of a thousand people at a circus - and try to think of a suitably cool stage name.
Trampoline design shows a trampolining expert doing a forward roll in mid-air with knees tucked up to chest. The trampoline is way below and the trampoliner keeps eyes firmly fixed on the eventual bouncing position.

Trampolining Gifts >>

Trapeze

And so to the trapeze - the flying artistes who are the top act of the circus.  

​Strong athletic men and women in sparkly costumes flying high above the applause of the crowd.

This is the spectacular act everyone looks forward to.

​The trapeze artists swing back and forward across the circus ring performing somersaults and catches.

This act is a perfect symbol of teamwork, trust and co-operation between two or more people.  They should include it on team-building courses and see if anyone can be bothered to try catching the project manager.
Trapeze design shows two stick figures swinging through the air with arms outstretched towards each other

Trapeze Stickman Gifts >>

Unicycle

The unicycle is a bicycle with one wheel and no handlebars! A single wheel, pedals and a seat.


This might seem like madness but an ordinary bicycle is challenging when you first start learning to ride. A unicycle is like a more difficult bicycle. 


​Difficult but not impossible.


For general balance and coordination it is impressive seeing someone riding a unicycle and juggling clubs.


The unicycle is not one of those fancy electric unicycles with a built-in gyroscope to keep it stable. You pedal it, and balance. Imagine that!

Hand drawn Unicycling Stickman Juggler design shows a guy riding a unicycle and juggling three clubs - as if either one of these skills wasn't hard enough. Fun unicycle image pays tribute to circus skills which teach coordination and balance.

Unicycling Stickman Juggler Gifts >>

The Skills of the Circus

Although it may seem like old-fashioned entertainment when compared to the thrills of the X-Box or Hollywood - the circus should be appreciated for being real.  No AI or CGI is involved!


​The performers have learned their trade through hard knocks and dedication. These skills are worth celebrating and keeping alive for future generations. 


If you have children or want some traditional fun of your own go to the circus. And in your free time maybe you can learn to juggle or ride a unicycle!

​


Written by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated December 29, 2025