The Parade.
All the performers used in the circus should enter, headed by the
ringmaster, who leads his group around the ring several times and out
through the opposite exit. First comes a jazz band followed by the
clowns, who prance from side to side tormenting the other performers
and doing all sorts of queer antics for the crowds. The freaks should
follow them, and then the wild animals, led by their animal trainer,
the acrobats, the jugglers, bareback riders and the rest of the circus
outfit. After the parade the ringmaster may detain the freaks in the
ring to display the peculiarities of each.
Animals.
If you can rent or make any animal costumes, be sure to have an animal
act. It always amuses the audience if it is cleverly and realistically
done. Have the ringmaster, who acts as animal trainer, put the animals
through all sorts of stunts. He should have a long whip which he snaps
vigorously as he shouts his orders. The lion and the tiger may play
ball with each other, keeping up a constant roar as they toss the ball
back and forth. The polar bear may ride a bicycle, the monkeys may have
a boxing match. The act may be ended by having all the animals dance
around on their hind legs to some lively fox-trot music.
Clowns.
Be sure to have a clown stunt. Use all sorts of clowns, tall and short,
fat and thin. Have some of them do some tumbling or pyramid stunts,
familiar to any gym instructors, and have others mimic them in a
ridiculous fashion. They may end the act with a dance.[E]
The other numbers on the program can be any special stunts that lend
themselves to circus burlesque. Two others from “A Circus” have been
included below to show the type of thing which is always popular at a
circus and which will not take any special time or work in preparation.