10 February 2010
University brings world´s greatest showman back to life
A stunning exhibition that captures the spirit, life and legacy of P.T Barnum – the self-proclaimed `world´s greatest showman´ - will go on display this week (12-21 February 2010) as part of Showzam, Blackpool´s annual festival of circus, magic and new variety.
Humbug! Celebrating 200 Years of P.T Barnum has been conceived and created by Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield. This year will see the 200th anniversary of the birth of P.T. Barnum – the most important impresario of all time and whose gift for showmanship and shrewd business can be directly linked to today´s media, marketing and entertainment industries.
The exhibition, which comes to Sheffield in the Spring, will include an imposing, life-sized statue of the man depicted as half-human/half-insect – a reference to Barnum´s infamous yet hugely popular hoax creations. This specially commissioned figure has been created by the Sheffield sculptor Anthony Bennett , the artist behind the celebrated Great Omi figure which featured in last year´s Showzam, and will be suspended 15 feet above the crowds heading to Showzam.
Anthony´s portfolio includes numerous collaborations with the Turner nominated artist Yinka Shonibare, and is responsible for an array of figurative sculptures, statues and public artworks on display across the UK. His statue of Barnum has been jointly funded by Showzam, the University of Sheffield and The Arts Council.
The exhibition will also feature a series of trade-union style silk banners depicting some of Barnum´s greatest attractions and key moments in his life. Designed by Mark Copeland, creator of The Insect Circus, the two-metre high panels will carry vivid images of Barnum´s most notorious exhibits including General Tom Thumb, Joice Heith, The Feejee Mermaid, Zip and Siamese Twins Chang & Eng.
After Showzam, the Humbug exhibition will be transferred to the University of Sheffield in March 2010, where it will grace a brand new exhibition space in the recently revamped Western Bank Library. As well as the sculpture and banners, those visiting the exhibition in Sheffield, will also get the chance to see never-before-seen original items from the National Fairground Archive.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin said: "For the third year running the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield Library is thrilled to be working in collaboration with Visit Blackpool on the Showzam festival. Showzam is a celebration of Blackpool´s deep-rooted tradition of high-quality entertainment with stars from around the world. This is Blackpool´s third festival of circus, magic and new variety and will be an exciting 10 days of world-class shows and events.
"I am so excited to be curating and producing part of the exhilarating line up for Showzam, including the spectacular Humbug Exhibition. This is a must-see exhibition and I am delighted that, after Blackpool, it will be transferred to the newly refurbished Western Bank Library exhibition space in Sheffield. This new space is a fantastic asset to the University and I can´t wait to see staff, students and members of the public enjoying Humbug and many more exhibitions here in the future."
Also as part of Showzam, the National Fairground Archive will be contributing rare and unseen film footage of the North West´s rich entertainment heritage from the turn of the century to the 1960s, as part of Cine-Variety. Coordinated and curated by Professor Toulmin, Cine-Variety will feature a film programme of bicycling bears, elephants bathing in the sea and the legendary Italian clown Charlie Caroli at the Tower Circus. A new edition to Showzam, Cine-Variety will bring the early days of film and variety to Blackpool.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin has also produced Showzam´s Carnival Ball. Presented by Miss Behave, the Ball will feature Brazilian beauties and hot cabaret in the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, as well as dancing, cabaret and hot sizzling tango from top international stars of new variety.
Notes for Editors: Professor Vanessa Toulmin is available for interviews and to talk about the significance of this rare exhibition. Photographs of Humbug and Cine-Variety are available. Some of these pictures have never been seen or used before.
Professor Toulmin is Creative Advisor for Showzam: Blackpool´s Festival of Circus, Magic and New Variety, and is Special Adviser to the Chief Executive of Blackpool Council.
Showzam forms part of a programme of signature events that are being delivered in Blackpool by tourism body visitBlackpool and are funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
The National Fairground Archive (NFA) is a unique collection of photographic, printed, manuscript and audiovisual material covering all aspects of the culture of travelling showpeople, their organisation as a community, their social history and everyday life; and the artefacts and machinery of fairgrounds. The NFA collections are continuing to grow: there are now over 80,000 images in the photographic collection, in addition to audio and video material, journals and magazines, and nearly 3,000 monographs. The collection also includes a unique body of fairground ephemera (programmes, handbills, posters, charters and proclamations, plans and drawings). The NFA represents an important part of the cultural heritage of the nation. It is a primary resource of rich potential for research at every level; it provides a new and exciting source of teaching material for primary and secondary education, and provides access to a wealth of popular cultural history both for the fairground enthusiast and for the public at large.
For further information please contact: Lindsey Bird, Media Relations Manager, on 0114 2225338 or email l.bird@sheffield.ac.uk
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