Synopsis
From his New World Circus in 1946, Billy Smart's circus became Britain's largest travelling show. This is the story of the most famous circus, right up to Billy Smart's Quality Big Top Show of 2004. Contains a unique collection of archive photographs. Billy Smart was a successful fairground showman who began his New World Circus in 1946. It grew rapidly and became Britain's largest travelling show complete with over 100 animals, including 15 elephants, and top circus acts from around the world. It also featured colourful productions such as the Arabian Nights, Fairyland Fantasy and the Wild West Show. Billy Smart and his family became synonymous with circus. It was frequently on TV, its Christmas Day programmes attracting record audiences. Royal Performances took place in London, raising thousands of pounds for charity. The circus stopped travelling in 1971 but continued its TV spectaculars until 1983. During the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year, the Royal Windsor Big Top Show combined circus and variety at Billy Smart's in front of the Queen and Prince Philip.
In the 1990s, a new era arrived with Billy Smart's Quality Big Top Show and now Tony Hopkins presents Billy Smart's Circus on tour throughout the UK. This book contains a unique collection of photographs from archives and individual collections, including, thanks to Ronnie and Gary Smart, material from the Smart Family Archive in the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield.
