Want to change that? There’s still time to submit a proposal, and present at the #WomenInCircus symposium at @sheffielduni.bsky.social
Submit your proposal before Monday 23 March 📝
Find out more here: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircu...
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Women have a long history of contributing to the circus, through performance, promotion and management.
Yet, like many others have faced, their role remains underrepresented and under-researched, due to historic bias against marginalised genders.
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What better way to celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth? 👯♀️
Some of our placement students, Anna and Sam, have been up to hijinks in @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social…
Finding wonderful women in the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) Book Collection 🤹♀️
#InternationalWomensDay #GiveToGain #WHM
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Image of the painting titled 'Pink Sky' by artist Amrik Varkalis which features green and grey fields with a pink sky.
Happy 10th birthday to @artukdotorg.bsky.social 🥳
We have 195 artworks made accessible on Art UK from @sheffielduni.bsky.social's Heritage Collection, including Curations created by students inspired by the collection.
Explore Curations here ➡️ tinyurl.com/4udjttfv
🎨'Pink Sky' by Amrik Varkalis
We can't wait to hear your ideas! 🤹♀️
Find out more about the #WomenInCircus Symposium on Wednesday 5 August 2026: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircu...
@openresshef.bsky.social @unishefplayer.bsky.social @whiteroselibraries.bsky.social @whiteroseuc.bsky.social @apac-ssn.bsky.social
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Submission guidelines 📝
• Abstract/Summary (maximum 300 words)
• Short biography (maximum 200 words)
Deadline: Monday 23 March ⏰
Submit your proposal here: forms.gle/jmKrM3wA5HFJ...
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• Feminism in the circus context
• Physical performance and body image
• Women shaping performance
• The challenges and opportunities for women in circus
Please feel free to submit a paper on any topic related to the theme of the symposium.
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Suggested topics include:
• Remarkable performers
• Women breaking the mould
• The historical context and the role of women in the development of circus
• Women’s legacy in circus
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Who were the trailblazers, and what is their legacy in contemporary practices? How does gender define women’s careers and performance genre?
Academics, independent researchers and practitioners with lived experience are welcomed to submit papers for 20 minute presentations.
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How has the role of women evolved over the circus' long history? What specific challenges do they experience in the sector?
Discuss the complex role women have played in its development through performance, promotion and management.
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Red background with black and white figure of a variety of women circus performers, for example on an aerial rope and horse. Text reads: Women in Circus Symposium, Call for papers, Monday 23 March, University of Sheffield
Call for papers now OPEN! 📣
Join The National Fairground and Circus Archive in a one-day symposium to celebrate the role of women in circus through history 🎪
Want to present your research at @sheffielduni.bsky.social? Keep reading 👇
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Even more on Vesta Tilley here ➡️ sheffield.ac.uk/library/news... !
📷 Items from our collections:
1. 178C81.775
2. 178C81.778
3. 178C81.781
4. 178C81.773
5. 178C81.783
6. 178C81.771
7. 178C81.779
8. 178C81.772
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Black and white photograph of Vesta Tilley in a long, frilly maxi dress and matching hat. Recoloured in aqua blue and light pink.
Been inspired by drag performers, past or present?
We'd love to hear your Queer takes on our collections this month!
Explore more stories in The National Fairground & Circus Archive, held at @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social 🎭
sheffield.ac.uk/library/spec...
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley in embroidered Georgian-era men's clothes, with a white powdered wig.
Certainly, her work had a profound impact on theatre at the turn of the 20th century, and paved the way for performers to play with gender expression today.
Subverting social norms on stage, since 150 years ago?
Now that's innovation!
#LGBTplusHM #ScienceAndInnovation
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Autographed black and white photograph of Vesta Tilley in women's attire, wearing a striped top and pearl necklace.
Off stage, Vesta had a more complex and conservative approach to gender norms in her personal life.
She stated: "I heartily detest anything mannish in a woman’s private life" - contrary to her on-stage personas.
📰 Tilley, V. ‘Mannish Women’, Pittsburgh Gazette Home Journal, 3 April 1904
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley in a World War-era military soldier's uniform. Text on image reads: The proceeds of the sale of these cards will be handed by Miss Tilley to the Prince of Wales' fund.
Vesta had a long and successful career, before settling down with her husband in 1919.
In 53 years, she travelled theatres across the UK, all whilst raising money for socially-conscious causes, and
morale in WW1.
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley in a men's suit, tie, and boater hat, sat casually with a cigarette in her mouth.
Her shows were a socio-political reflection of her time, satirising traditional male roles and behaviours.
Women loved her (as a symbol of female emancipation).
Men loved her (cheeky representation of the higher classes).
She was a hit!
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley, in a judge's wig and gown. The gown is handpainted red, on top of a sepia photograph.
Although a risky career move, her father
was supportive, buying her first set of male clothes.
And so began her true vocation as a male impersonator!
She found freedom in mocking gender stereotypes, in a range of male personas like policeman, judges and soldiers.
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley in a long men's coat, holding a cane and tipping a top hat.
Vesta started on the stage as a child star.
By four years old, she felt that women's clothes were a hindrance to her performance...
So she experimented with her dad's coat and hat 🎩
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Male impersonator Vesta Tilley, stood in a shiny black tailcoat and top hat, smiling with a cigarette in her mouth.
Meet Miss Vesta Tilley (1864 - 1952).
This LGBTQIA+ History Month, get to know a legend of performance royalty...
and what might now be interpreted as an early drag king 👑
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Registration for #HAP26 is now OPEN!
Join us on the 16 April in Sheffield as we explore ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’
With @royalhistsoc.org @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy & @uoscollections.bsky.social
Register today: bit.ly/4roSsqU
Registration for History and Archives in Practice is now OPEN!
We can't wait to host #HAP26 and explore intersections of archives and history!
@unisheffieldlib.bsky.social @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @ihr.bsky.social @royalhistsoc.org
More info and to register ➡️ tinyurl.com/2skavaty
A photo of a leaflet which advertises the exhibition held in front of a display case of archives and hanging artefacts.
A photo of two people looking at archives in a display case in the exhibition.
A photo of a display case of archives with a banner hanging above.
The back of the leaflet for the exhibition which explains that the exhibition explores life at the student union and how the student union has come to be such a popular part of the student experience in Sheffield through displays of archives, artefacts, photographs and personal memories. The image also states that the exhibition is at Western Bank Library and lists its opening times.
More than a Degree: 120 Years of Life at the Student Union exhibition is now 🎉OPEN!🎉
The exhibition explores life at the SU and how the SU has come to be such a popular part of the student experience through displays of archives, artefacts, memories and more!…
@unisheffieldlib.bsky.social
📷
1. Aerial view with Roller Coaster, 1980, Paul Angel Collection, 178C84.2371
2. Drawing Files for project W1377, 2014-15, WGH Rides Collection, 178H31.55
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Technical drawings of the rollercoaster in a large book on a wooden table
Or, share your own memories!
Did you visit Dreamland? Could you see the sea from the Scenic Railway?
Let's hear it for a century-old icon... and keep the history of amusement parks alive 🎡❤️
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Technical drawings for the design of the rollercoaster
Refurbished in 2015 by WGH Rides, the Scenic Railway was brought back to life after closure and fire damage.
Find project plans, designs, and more at the National Fairground & Circus Archive… with 27 years of their company's history.
Access the collection here: tinyurl.com/WGHRides
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Aerial view of a large wooden rollercoaster in Dreamland amusement park in the 1980s.
Let’s say a sorry farewell to Dreamland’s Scenic Railway 👋
This 100-year-old rollercoaster is believed to be the oldest in Britain.
Sadly, the iconic Grade II* listed ride in Margate will now retire from operation 🎢
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We are pleased to announce that applications are open for 3 PhD studentships in History using the newly catalogued Arthur Scargill Archive for research 🎉
Find out more here ➡️ tinyurl.com/56ft64xc
@unisheffieldlib.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
Interested to see more from the Arthur Scargill Archive? 👀 We have curated a display of highlights from the archive on Level 5 of the Western Bank Library!
Access to the display is by using a Uni of Sheff Ucard or email us to arrange access on lib-special@sheffield.ac.uk
