Picture the word impressario, and you will have a perfect image of Pascal Jacob, Vice President of  the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain. Almost courtly in manner, and quite dapper, he is also a deep well of circus knowledge and much more than a producer or director of circus.

Pascal Jacob. Photo credit: Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd Jacob’s CV may be a heavy tome, but his bibliography is even longer. This French author has not only written 31 books (and contributed to scores of others), but he has also directed circus, presided as a juror in festivals, designed costumes and curated museum collections, establish...