Clowns Rochez and Rafflin

Clowns playing cricket at Alexandra Palace. Print from 1875

Throughout its history Alexandra Park and Palace has been graced by many colourful characters including clowns, acrobats and trapeze artists – a home to the weird and wonderful.

Some of the circus performers who visited the Park and Palace included Madame Ray and her highly-trained Arab steed “Sultan”, Georgina, the Sylph of the Circle, in her leap of streamers and the Australian rider R. Roberts with his great Juggling Act.  It was such a popular form of entertainment that a permanent circus was built in the grounds for the Palace opening.

Circus acts were popular on the early BBC television service, with acts including the Knife Throwing Denvers and, originally a circus horse, Muffin the Mule. More recently the Moscow State Circus in 2016 brought the Averiouchkine clowns, including Valik and Valerik.

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