28th April 2018 'From Waterloo to the World - 250 Years of Circus'
In the guise of Philip Astley. CCC director Chris Barltrop performed at London's famous V & A to an audience attending the final weekend's events of the Museum's month-long exhibition and conference focussing on the circus past, present and future. A further feather in the Serjeant-Major's cap! as extracts were performed from Audacious Mr Astley, and as Chris Barltrop was questioned by V & A Curator of Popular Entertainment Cathy Haill on his research and writing towards bringing Astley to renewed life. The half-hour interview was titled Staging a Legend, and investigated the research done by the writer and actor into the history and character of the 'father of modern circus'. Many thanks to Ms Haill and her colleagues for this kind invitation, and thanks also to an enthusiastic audience.