A flea circus is a real circus but in miniature, fleas manipulate tiny props to carry outthe acts within thecircus, they are often regarded as nothing more than a myth by many until they have seen one.
The fleas are harnessed using very fine wire whichis tied around the fleas neck, this is usually made from jewelers very thin gold wire, sometimes jewellers
were set the task ofcreating the miniaturechariots and carts for the fleas to pull! (We make out own chariots and props).
The acts would include
Chariots and 'horse drawn' style vehicles that are pulled by a flea. High dive - the flea dives from a diving board into a pool of water. High wire - the flea crawls across the wire to the other side with a prop. Sea-saw - the fleas ride the sea-saw. Trapeze - the fleas jump from swing to swing. A flea kicks a football. Flea cannon - a flea is shot from the cannon.
Acts which are not so common might include. fleas mounted on paper horses with miniature swords etc. Flea orchestras and even fleas dressed up!
The flea circus originates from as far back as Egyptian times but was
most successful during the 1600s onwards when these fasinating little shows
were exhibited or shown from small boxes or trunks in pub's, taverns, and at fairs.
Most flea Circuses died out well before the 1940s and today there are very very
few flea circuses left.
Today Svensons are one of the tiny band of entertainers still carrying on this old art form, we are experts in our field and are passionate about our fleas!
Until you have seen a flea circus and the look on children’s (and adults!) faces
you can’t appreciate how entertaining they are!
SOME FLEA FACTS
A flea can pull up to 160,000 times its own weight!
A flea can lift up to 60 times its own weight!
A flea can jump over 150 times its own hight! If a
man had the same strength, he could jump over
St Paul's Cathedral. When jumping, the flea accelerates 50 times
