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The Barker: A Play of Carnival Life in Three Acts
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781025412399
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 168
Weight: 0.91
Height: 0.44 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Barker: A Play of Carnival Life in Three Acts is a vivid portrayal of the gritty and vibrant world of the traveling American carnival in the early 20th century. Written by Kenyon Nicholson, this three-act drama explores the complex lives of those who inhabit the sideshow, centering on the titular barker whose job is to entice the public into the tents with promises of wonder and excitement.
The play delves into themes of family loyalty, professional pride, and the clash between the itinerant lifestyle of the carny and the expectations of conventional society. With its authentic dialogue and atmospheric setting, the work captures the unique subculture of the carnival, complete with its internal hierarchies, romantic entanglements, and the relentless pressure of life on the road. A significant piece of American theatrical history, The Barker offers a compelling look at a bygone era of entertainment, highlighting the humanity behind the spectacle and the illusions of the midway. It remains a classic example of character-driven drama that examines the sacrifices made for the sake of the show.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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