Circus Knie (Established 1803)
Dates
- Existence: Established 1803
Biography
Circus Knie is the largest circus in Switzerland. Knie was founded in 1803 by the Knie family and it soon became renowned for its wild animal acts. As well as the circus Knie has operated Knie’s Zoo for many years. In 1999 Franco Knie was named Best Animal Tamer at the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.
Today the circus is an enterprise with about 200 employees, operated by Frédy and Franco Knie in partnership with insurance company Swiss Life.
In 1992 Knie co-produced a show with Cirque du Soleil and in 1999 it toured with the Swiss National Circus.
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco travelled with the circus between 2001 and 2002 while in a relationship with Franco Knie.
Circus Knie continues to operate in the twenty first century.
Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes, 1970 - 1981
Programmes for various British and international circuses including Billy Russell's, Blackpool Tower, Fossett's, Chipperfield's and the Toni Boltini's Circus.
Scrapbook of Multiple Circuses, c1900 - 1999
Scrapbook of black and white photographs and newspaper cuttings, relating to multiple circuses and acts including Bertram Mills, Billy Smarts, Knie and Chipperfields, 52p.p.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1900 - 1999
A range of items of promotion and advertising from a range of circus companies and performers, including artistes' photographs with act descriptions used for seeking employment in circuses and pamphlets advertising independent performances and circus companies' literature and souvenirs for public distribution and promotion including Gerry Cottle's Circus, Belle Vue, Blackpool Tower, Bertram Mills Circus, Gandey's, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey, Knie and many more.