The imaginary circus of the great French painter Georges Rouault is beautiful and sinister, a symbol of the best and worst in society. Rouault died in 1958; a recluse, poet, devout Roman Catholic, he painted the victims of society, the tragic performers in a universal circus. And yet he reconciled this world of the shadows with his serene religious images. In this film Rouault's circus is brought to life.
Rouault's words read by Alan Dobie
other readings by Martin Jarvis
with artists and acts from Cottle and Austen's Circus

(Colour)