The Circus

(Chaplin, 1968) Music by Charles Chaplin

The Circus is fast-paced and loaded with the ingenious visual gags that make “The Little Tramp” so enduring to world-wide audiences. In style it is reminiscent of the two-reel films that Chaplin made for Essanay during 1915-1916, which many critics regard as the purest expression of his art. The music was composed by Charles Chaplin.

Performing forces
Minimum
79 players (strings 14,14,12,10,8, flute, oboe, clarinet I-III, bassoon, alto sax I & II, tenor sax, 2 trumpets, Fr. Horn, 2 trombones, piano, percussion, tympani, guitar, mandolin, glockenspiel, xylophone)
Performing forces
Maximum
79 players (strings 14,14,12,10,8, flute, oboe, clarinet I-III, bassoon, alto sax I & II, tenor sax, 2 trumpets, Fr. Horn, 2 trombones, piano, percussion, tympani, guitar, mandolin, glockenspiel, xylophone)
Percussions2 timpani, drums, bells, temple gong, bass drums, cymbals, snare drum, triangle, doorbell (real bell), xylophone, chimes, iron rod, bells, castanets
Rehearsals2 ½ hour rehearsal
One 75 minute tech rehearsal
2 ½ hour dress rehearsal
Performance time75 minutes without intermission.
Film speed24 frames per second. Available on DVD
Film sourceThe Chaplin Estate, Paris
RightsThe Chaplin Estate, Paris ($1,800)