Reg Bolton - The Founding Father of Social Circus

This past weekend I shared a quote at our student showcase from Reg Bolton. Reg is a Social Circus Legend who wrote a PhD on "Why Circus Works" and has been a huge inspiration for myself, Andy and thousands of circus artists and coaches around the world. Yet I clearly don't talk about him enough because hardly anyone in the audience had heard of him. Time to change that!! Reg used the Hand as an anology for Circus. Here is a video of our friend Mike Finch, explaining Reg's anology and his PhD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNbQ6XbhZvs

Mike Finch, speaking in the video, helped guide us in creating our values, mission and purpose for Roundabout when we redeveloped our Strategic Plan and we are grateful for his contribution and bringing his own circus legacy to our community.

This is the original hand analogy from Reg's PhD taken from Circus Shop website which is still run by the Bolton family.

The first Finger: Self, individuality, identity and image The middle Finger: risk, adventure, courage and defiance. The ring finger: trust, touch, cooperation and sharing. The little finger: dreams, aspiration, imagination and symbolism. The Thumb: hard work, resilience, persistence and process.

The ticklish palm is fun, humour, happiness and laughter.

Reg Bolton pioneered social circus and through his PhD created a platform of research to demonstrate the benefits of circus on social development of children. Sure, we all love the magic of a circus show in the big top with the lights, sparkles and glamour of the stage, but also it is important to remember that is not the only outcome to strive towards. The experience of learning circus and being part of a supportive inclusive and creative community is more important than being the best performer. In the words of Dr Reg Bolton:

"Seen up close, and often in the magical ambience of a tent, the circus presents undeniable manifestations of intense experiences very close to those of childhood. Here is real wonder, real fear. Here is limitless ambition, infinite mischief. Here are hope, love, danger and survival. Here are the dreams and nightmares that are the daily and nightly currency of childhood. Here are obstacles and mysteries, overcome and solved with ingenuity and determination. Here are lofty beings of incalculable status, and alongside them buffoons more foolish than the silliest child." (Bolton, 2004, p.95)