Circus at the Harringay Arena, Boxing Day 1949

Comment by matt on April 25, 2008 at 9:37

All those elephants! Only time I've seen anything like this was in China, 1990.

The Arena was such a big space. Guess Ally Pally is the last such space in Haringey.

Comment by Hugh on April 25, 2008 at 9:46

Tom Arnold (yes, I've been at that Wikipedia again) imported all the elephants from Sri Lanka especially for the circus in it's first year in 1948.

Comment by Flower on April 25, 2008 at 10:13

48/49 is the time I would have been there ... I recognise the clown with the pointed hat!!

Comment by matt on April 25, 2008 at 10:15

Interesting man. Any pictures of the ice shows out there?

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on December 4, 2016 at 15:15

I was probably there. Us kids would often go around the back of the arena during the day to talk to the performers and see the animals being fed and exercised.

Today I'd be protesting about the exploitation of the animals!

Comment by John D on December 4, 2016 at 15:42

I was thinking that Roy. It's curious that nobody seems worried about the Spanish Riding School of Vienna where the Lipizzaners are made to perform the most unnatural tricks. I know that the performance is based on traditional warhorse moves but I don't see the difference between that and circus animals.

Comment by Paul lucas on September 23, 2022 at 7:34

amazing film i can just remember going to the circus there when i was 3 1949

Add a Comment