The ringmaster is the master of ceremonies in circuses and live shows, guiding the audience through the performance and introducing acts. They wear flashy formal attire and often have a handlebar mustache. Similar positions exist in equestrian shows.
A ringmaster is a central figure in many circuses and live shows. Acting as master of ceremonies, the ring director speaks directly to the crowd and serves as a guide throughout the performance. Like the heralds of old, ringmasters are known for giving detailed introductory speeches designed to get the crowd going and create a dramatic atmosphere.
Circuses can vary in setup and operations, but the traditional layout of a circus arena involves multiple staging areas, usually ring-shaped, where various acts are performed. Having several different stages allows the show to progress smoothly, as one act can be set up, another performing, and another breaking equipment or shutting down simultaneously. The ringmaster helps direct the audience’s attention to the act he is performing by narrating or commenting on the performance.
The circus ringmaster is often recognized by his distinctive outfit. Since the early 20th century, many directors have adopted flashy formal attire, which includes a large top hat, gloves, and a formal coat with cocktails. Some circus historians believe that this trend started with the great George Claude Lockhart, a famous circus master of Blackpool Circus in England. The coat color is often bright and somewhat showy; Lockhart wore a pink coat, while other masters wear red, bright blue, or green, and often accentuate the coat with sequins or other glittering fabrics.
Ringmasters can be male or female, but circus iconography almost always portrays the master of ceremonies as a man with a peculiar moustache. This style, called a handlebar mustache, consists of two long strands of hair grown over the upper lip, parted just above the center of the lips, and brushed outward. The origin of this fad is unknown, but it could be traced back to the Italian Renaissance theater, where clown characters wore equally bright clothes and sported a mustache on their handlebars.
Although ringmasters are best known as circus workers, other performance shows have similarly titled positions. At equestrian shows, a ringmaster assists judges and officials throughout the show. Like a stage manager in a play, the director of a horse show moves the action forward, making sure that each new class is ready on time and each arena is properly prepared for the next event. Equestrian circus ringmasters may wear a costume similar to that of a circus ringmaster, leading some historians to believe that George Claude Lockhart’s outfit was inspired by this practice.
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