‘Crank legislators’, ‘faddists’ and professionals’ defence of animal performance in 1920s Britain

Abstract

A British parliamentary bill to prohibit animal performances in the circus and fairground and on the stage was introduced in 1921. This article discusses the nature of the response of the circus, fairground and music‐hall professions to the resulting threat posed to the livelihoods of some of their members, noting their opinion of the characteristics and motives of the opposition. Leading parts were played by circus proprietors as well as by the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and the Variety Artistes’ Federation, but the energetic campaigning efforts of individuals within these last two organizations had to overcome lethargy in their general memberships. However, with the support of representatives in Parliament and full coverage of the professions’ side of the issue in their journals, this response ultimately achieved a weakening of successive bills, leading to the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act of 1925, based on licensing rather than prohibition.