The Showman's Guild

One of the Showman's Guilds' symbols,
recreated by Hamish McCormick. 

I can be silent no longer.
All the lessons and thoughts that appear on this blog has been inspired by a long term research and creative project of mine. My search for an elusive secret society called the Showman's Guild and their secret teachings known as the Way of the Showman. The fraternity has gone almost undetected throughout history, but through fastidious research particularly over the last four years I have piece by piece assembled an outline of this esoteric history of circus.

I intend to publish snippets of this research right here on the Illuminated Showman. For the Showman's Guild is the shadow, always behind the Illuminated Showman. It's time the shroud of mystery is lifted.

Man on a Tightrope

Man on a tightrope is a 1953 film about a circus in Czechoslovakia run by a True Circus Man. They risks all as they attempt to use their circus skills to escape across the border into freedom. The movie raises interesting questions of thought crimes. What's the right thing to do for a true communist who loves his country but who also loves the circus?
There are some awesome dialog about the bond between all fellow Showmen, Carnies and Circus Folk:

"You see, Sir, circus people aren't like other people. The only nationality we have, the only religion, is Circus."

“I have no more love for you than you have for me. We would both cheerully rob each other and cut each others throats. But we are together on one thing: we are both circus men, first, last, and always. We hate the government, we hate the police and and when it comes to the question of circus against the law – you know which side I’m on.”

A beautiful tale of truth, sacrifice, and a united brotherhood of Circus folk and you can see it all right here on the inside.

Lessons from the Way of the Showman - 30

Life is the Greatest Show on Earth.