Sideshow Alive Sign

Sideshow style Alive sign 40cm diameter and made from 6mm quality MDF. Artwork is designed in house and printed directly onto the wood using eco inks.

'Alive' is referring to a circus sideshow act. Before a circus would start there would often be people of wonder outside the circus tent. Think of the film The Greatest Showman and The Bearded Lady. Performers who were aesthetically different or held a special talent would have a small stage and some brief information informing the audience who they were viewing. Like 'marvel at the most bendy man in the world'. Some of the more extreme acts would have signs like 'Alive' next to them to draw the audience's attention to the possibility that this performer was even able to live because by the nature of their act went against natures rules for living - for example 'a real mermaid' or 'the girl who defies electricity'

This sign design is based on a hand painted sign we create when we had a prop hire company. We spent 12 years hand making and painting vintage style signs and props and circus was a major theme in which we created items. When we closed our hire business and switched to online selling in 2023 we decided to digitally recreate some of our favourite signs so they would live on as props in our new business. The font is a hand drawn, and we have kept this aesthetic in the digital artwork. A dark blue to red gradient has been added to the text and a slight shadow to give the text a raised feel. Sideshow signs are normally vibrant yellow and red text. Our take on this style of sign is slightly more decorative as we have added a sunburst background and multilayered decals.

If your planning a circus party or decorioring a circus inspired interior space be sure to check out this sign and all of our other circus props!