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Broadside 1843 circus poster is the
original inspiration for the Beatles' song "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" from their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
John Lennon purchased the Victorian-era playbill on January 31, 1967, at an antique shop in Sevenoaks, Kent, while the band was filming promotional videos for "Strawberry Fields Forever". Lennon later stated that "everything from the song is from that poster," as he took nearly all the lyrics directly from its quirky, old-fashioned text.
Historical Details
The Circus: The poster advertised Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal, appearing at Town Meadows, Rochdale, in February 1843. Pablo Fanque (William Derby) was Britain's first Black circus owner.
The Performers: It highlights Mr. Kite (William Kite), an equestrian and tightrope walker, and Mr. J. Henderson, a celebrated "somerset" (somersault) thrower and trampoline leaper.
Song Variations: While most lyrics are verbatim, Lennon made minor changes for rhyme and scansion. For example, the horse "Zanthus" in the poster became "Henry the Horse" in the song, and the "Circus Royal" became "Pablo Fanque's Fair". |
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