Regular scheduled exhibitions are held in both the downstairs and upstairs rooms of the Philip Astley Centre. These exhibitions not only explore the circus legacy of Philip Astley but also fairground heritage, performers, Showpeople culture, art and more.
The Philip Astley Centre exhibitions often are linked to key celebrations, important historic dates and people. These markers including April’s World Circus Day, September’s World Funfair Month, plus important anniversaries from the entertainment industry history.
Previous exhibitions have included Showpeople of North Staffordshire, which celebrated the story of local fairground and circus families, plus performers who have close ties and have made their homes in the Staffordshire and surrounding areas of North Staffordshire / Midlands area, including the Pat Collins, Stanworth and Warwick families, plus from circus the Gandey Family.
These exhibitions regularly include audio recorded interviews and historic film footage to compliment the images, which all contribute to an ever growing important showbusiness archive.