The Surrey Theatre began life in 1782 as the Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic Academy, one of the many circuses that provided contemporary London entertainment of both horsemanship and drama. It stood in Blackfriars Road, in the London Borough of Lambeth, which was then an entertainment centre. History The Royal Circus was opened on 4 November, 1782 by the composer and song writer, Charles Dibdin (who coined the word "circus")[LINK: http://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/guided_tours/circus_tour/the_first_circus/default.php] Mr Philip Astley?s Introduction to The First Circus in England PeoplePlay UK accessed 18 Mar 2007, aided by Charles Hughes, a well-known equestrian performer. The entertainments were at first performed by children with the goal of its being a nursery for young actors. Delphini, a celebrated buffo, became manager in 1788 and produced a spectacle includin