For generations, Showmen have helped shape towns and cities, entertainment and sport, into what they are today. For generations, our families have travelled around the country, slowly pulled along by steam traction engines bringing exciting new technologies like the cinematograph before cinemas were even established.
The fairground communities have influenced many things that society takes for granted: the Showman’s Guild helped raise funds for a spitfire plane in World War Two, for example, and the family’s women and children continued running the business while the men went off to war. But traditionally, Showmen have been underrepresented and misunderstood.
In ‘The Show Must Go On’, we felt it was important to use our experience to create an authentic narrative that shows all the positives of the fairground and Traveller communities and to counteract the often-negative stereotypes portrayed by the media. In doing this, we hope that this book will help protect future generations from encountering discrimination.
“Showman families are residents of the community. They have been there for generations” Michelle Russell
What most people don’t realise is that Showman families are residents of their wider communities, and have been there for generations. Their work just takes them away for a period of time. Many members of our families have now settled and followed careers outside the Showman community and just like any other, we wear a number of hats. For Michelle - author, illustrator, storyteller, publisher, assistant satellite engineer, parish clerk, school bus driver, wife, Mam and Nana, are just a few of these! Making space for Showmen in books like this one helps develop understanding and respect between cultures; their similarities and differences.
In creating ‘The Show Must Go On’, we had the opportunity to develop understanding and awareness about our way of life, and give a taster of our heritage. It was also an opportunity to represent the family members that make up travelling communities – including friends, who become part of the family when we travel together. Children, men, women – all Showmen are valued team members of a family business. Everyone does their bit, overcoming any challenge that’s presented. Regardless of age or gender, everyone’s ideas and leadership are respected. And every family member is important: collaboration and respect between the generations are key features in Showman life – we worked hard to show that in this story.
“It's vitally important that children from all communities see themselves positively reflected” Richard O’Neill
Just as it's vitally important that children from all communities see themselves positively reflected, it's important that children from outside those communities do too. That’s why we’re not only showing a challenge that some Showman families have encountered, but celebrating the lifestyle and businesses that Showmen choose. Just as with any job, the Showman lifestyle could be an aspiration for young people outside our community.
If readers can take away just one thing from the story, we hope it will be this: that the Showman way of life is current, resilient and thriving.
‘The Show Must Go’ On is written by Michelle Russell and Richard O’Neill. It is illustrated by Mitch Miller, who is also from a Travelling Showmen background. Thanks also go to Christine Stirling from The Showmen's Guild and Thorntree Primary School for their help developing this title.
‘The Show Must Go On’ is part of the Bug Club Independent Lime Plus series, which gives high attaining children age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction stories to help them to work at greater depth.
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