Promenade concert in the Royal Albert Hall

Large outdoor music festivals in the summer and autumn are popular, such as Glastonbury, V Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals. The UK was at the forefront of the illegal, free rave movement from the late 1980s, which led to pan-European culture of teknivals mirrored on the UK free festival movement and associated travelling lifestyle.[112] The most prominent opera house in England is the Royal Opera House at Covent Gardens.[113] The Proms, a season of orchestral classical music concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall, is a major cultural event held annually.[113] The Royal Ballet is one of the world's foremost classical ballet companies, its reputation built on two prominent figures of 20th century dance, prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn and choreographer Frederick Ashton. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival.[114] Established in 1947, it takes place in Scotland's capital during three weeks every August alongside several other arts and cultural festivals. The Fringe mostly attracts events from the performing arts, particularly theatre and comedy, although dance and music also figure significantly.[114]

Astley's Amphitheatre, London c.1808

The circus is a traditional form of entertainment in the UK. Chipperfield's Circus dates back more than 300 years in Britain, making it one of the oldest family circus dynasties.[107] Philip Astley is regarded as the father of the modern circus. Following his invention of the circus ring in 1768,[115] Astley's Amphitheatre opened in London in 1773. As an equestrian master Astley had a genius for trick horse-riding, and when he added tumblers, tightrope-walkers, jugglers, performing dogs, and a clown to fill time between his own demonstrations – the modern circus was born.[116][117] Having began his theatrical career with Hughes Royal Circus in London in the 1780s, Englishman John Bill Ricketts brought the modern circus to the US in 1792, and he gave America's first complete circus performance in Philadelphia on 3 April 1793.[116] Joseph Grimaldi is the most celebrated of English clowns, and is widely considered the father of modern clowning.[118][119]

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Date: 2015-01-29; view: 912