“Cruelty to animals” and nostalgic totality: performance of a travelling circus in Britain

Investigates travelling circuses in depth with particular emphasis on the UK and the efforts of the anti‐circus movements and their allies, the RSPCA in particular. Looks in depth at the training and conditions of the animals in circuses with emphasis on the owners of animals involved. Concludes that as a result of the “antis” efforts circuses in the UK gave up most animal acts leaving the circus to develop in other areas such as plays and displays.