A History of The Circus/Animal Cruelty/Stage Makeup

I have chosen the circus as a subject to research into combined with animal cruelty as it's something that I've always been greatly interested in.  The fact that circuses go back a long time and there is a lot of imagery linked with this subject help aid my decision on choosing this over other idea's.  I shall also look into stage makeup as it is a vital element in the circus.

Area's of interest within this subject I'd like to look into:

Where the circus originated
What it derived from/how did it come about
The use and then ban of animals within the circus
When circuses were most popular
Who went to the circus, was there a class divide
Clowns, trapeze, lion tamers, dancers, tightrope, snake charmers etc

Cirque de Soleil
Blackpool Tower Circus  http://www.theblackpooltower.com/our-attractions/the-blackpool-tower-circus.aspx?gclid=CMvQ74bgi7ICFVMbtAodwnYA6g
Happy Slap Boutique http://www.happyslapboutique.co.uk 

Choosing A Subject

Current Affairs

Job Cuts
NHS Cutbacks Olympics
Army Cut-backs
World Food Prices up 10%

Social Concerns

Rape/Murder of Women and Children in the Congo
Pollution
Recession
Animal Cruelty
Abortion
Under-age Drinking
Domestic Abuse

Cultural Identities

Cockney
African Tribes
WAG
Hippie
Goth
Musicians
Bookworms
Artists
Students
Religious People - Priests/Pastors/Vicars

Desirable Objects

Apple Products
CDs/DVDs
Cars
Games Consoles
Campervan
Moped
Perfume
Designer clothes/shoes/trainers
Flowers
Houses
Photographs/Paintings
Gramophone
Instruments
PA systems
Mixing Desk

Functional Items

Radio
Kettle
Radiator
Treadmill
Toothbrush
Candle
Stage Makeup
Mirror
Saddle

Useful Inventions

Electricity
The Tank in WW1
Vegetable Peeler
Tin Opener
Water Purifier
Internet
Concrete

People

Princess Diana
Muammar Gaddafi (Lockerbie Bombing)
Bob Marley
The Queen
Keith Lemon
Bin Laden
Ronald McDonald
Soom T

Places

Barcelona
Kelvingrove Park (Glasgow)
Edinburgh Playhouse (Theatre)
London
Giants Causeway (Ireland)
Morocco
Benidorm (haha)
Leeds Library

Events

Olympics
Circus
Glastonbury
Burning Man Festival (America)
Mardi Gras Festival (Sydney)