Flea circuses, where fleas perform tricks in a miniature circus show, were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historians believe they originated in the 16th century. The traditional circus relied on light tricks and thin gold threads to create the illusion of flea performances, while modern versions use electrical and mechanical actions. Some modern flea circuses don’t even contain fleas, relying on the power of suggestion to deceive the audience. The Munich Oktoberfest still hosts a popular flea circus that has been around for over two centuries.
The flea circus is a unique form of entertainment where fleas act as the stars in a miniature circus show. These tiny insects are enclosed in a glass tank, which also contains various props and accessories. Under the direction of a human ringleader, the fleas appear to perform extraordinary feats to entertain the audience. This can include tightrope walking, kicking a ball across the tank, pulling wheeled carts, or any number of additional acts. While the popularity of the flea circus flourished in the 19th and early 20th centuries, few of these acts have survived to the present day.
Historians believe the first flea circus took place during the 16th century when jewelers or watchmakers used to perform fleas to demonstrate the delicate strength of necklaces or watch chains. By the 16th century, flea circuses had become one of the major attractions in Europe, with permanent venues in England’s Leicester Square and many of its heavily populated streets. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, performers continued to hold these circuses wherever fleas could be found. By the 19th century, flea circus had become a novelty act, and the craft was being taken up by magicians and circus performers. The Munich Oktoberfest is still home to a popular flea circus that has been around for more than two centuries.
The traditional flea circus relied on light tricks to create the impression that fleas were actually performing. Realistically, fleas cannot be trained to perform and also have a very short life span. Rather than train the fleas to star in these shows, the animators used thin gold threads to create a harness around the flea, which would stay in place for the life of the flea. The ringmaster could then tie this harness to a ball or cart, which would make it appear as though the flea was kicking the ball or dragging the cart across the fence. Fleas could also be attached to ropes or wires to make it appear as if they were walking a tightrope or being fired from a miniature cannon.
The modern flea circus relies on a slightly different tactic to make it appear as if fleas are performing. Rather than relying on harnesses, the ringmaster incorporates electrical and mechanical actions to move a ball or cart. For example, a blast of air can make it appear as though a ball was tossed through the air by a flea, even though the flea did no such thing.
The 21st century flea circus might as well not contain fleas. Instead, the entertainer relies on the power of suggestion to make the audience think they see fleas in the tank. In some cases, fleas are present, but aren’t actually part of the act in any way. This type of show is often known as a cheating act based on deception on the part of the entertainer.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
