Australian circuses as cooperative communities

Circus communities have always held a fascination for their audiences. The color, the skill, the artistry, and the exotic animals as well as the clowns, tents, and sawdust are all part of the magic of the circus. This chapter explores how circus personnel of all ages interact among themselves and with outside groups and individuals, including their audiences, with a view to ensuring the continuation of traditional circus lifestyles and circus entertainment. Interviews were held with personnel from Australian circuses at four sites and the data were examined in the light of Johnson and Johnsonʹs (1998 connections: Journal of the Australasian Association for Cooperative Education, 5(1), 4–10) theory of cooperative communities. The results foreground the circus as a colorful and exciting cooperative community which has many lessons to teach its audiences.