Editing Circus (section)

===Acts===
{{See also|List of circus skills}}{{World circus bans}}
Common acts include a variety of [[acrobatics]], [[gymnastics]] (including [[Tumbling (gymnastics)|tumbling]] and [[trampoline]]), aerial acts (such as [[trapeze]], [[aerial silk]], [[corde lisse]], [[Aerial Hoop]] and [[aerial straps]]) [[contortion]], [[stilt-walking]], and a variety of other routines. [[Juggling]] is one of the most common acts in a circus; the combination of juggling and gymnastics that includes acts like [[plate spinning]] and the [[rolling globe]] come under the category [[equilibristics]], along with more classical balance disciplines such as tightwire, slackline and unicycle. Acts like these are some of the most common and the most traditional. [[Clown]]s are common to most circuses and are typically skilled in many circus acts; "clowns getting into the act" is a very familiar theme in any circus. Famous [[circus clown]]s have included [[Austin Miles]], the [[Fratellini Family]], Rusty Russell, [[Emmett Kelly]], [[Grock]], and [[Bill Irwin]]. The title clown refers to the role functions and performance skills, not simply to the image of red nose and exaggerated facepaint that was popularised through 20th Century mass media. While many clowns still perform in this styling, there are also many clowns who adopt a more natural look.

Daredevil [[Stunt performer|stunt acts]], [[freak show]]s, and [[sideshow|sideshow acts]] are also parts of some circus acts, these activities may include [[human cannonball]], [[chapeaugraphy]], [[fire eating]], [[Fire breathing (circus act)|breathing]], and [[Fire dancing|dancing]], [[Impalement arts|knife throwing]], [[Magic (illusion)|magic shows]], [[sword swallowing]], or [[strongman]]. Famous sideshow performers include [[Zip the Pinhead]] and [[The Doll Family]]. A popular sideshow attraction from the early 19th century was the [[flea circus]], where fleas were attached to props and viewed through a [[Fresnel lens]].