In this fifteen-minute conversation, host Véronique Faber speaks with Dr. Vanessa Toulmin, Professor at the University of Sheffield and founder of the National Fairground and Circus Archive, to explore the tradition of “barking” or “telling the tale” at the fairground. Coming from a show people family herself, Dr. Toulmin shares both historical insights and personal memories of this vocal performance used to attract visitors. She discusses how the practice has evolved through shifts in technology and music—highlighting how showmanship continues to adapt and embrace new developments. The episode concludes with a story about the Crazy Cinematograph, a traveling cinema at Luxembourg’s Schueberfouer.

This episode wouldn’t have come together without Dr. Vanessa Toulmin’s stories and reflections, Hanna Siemaszko’s podcast wisdom, and Isabelle Voegeli’s thoughtful facilitation at C²DH. Thanks also the MediaLab at the University of Luxembourg.

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This fifteen-minute oral history, produced by the Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), features a conversation between Dr. Vanessa Toulmin, Professor at the University of Sheffield and founder of the National Fairground and Circus Archive, and host Véronique Faber, PhD student on the Popkult60 project

Together, they explore the tradition of “barking” or “telling the tale”—the vocal performance that invites visitors into the fairground experience. Drawing from historical research and personal memories as someone from a showpeople family, Dr. Toulmin reflects on how this practice continues to evolve through changing technologies and music. The episode closes with a story about the Crazy Cinematograph, a traveling cinema at Luxembourg’s Schueberfouer.

🎙️ With thanks to:

• Dr. Vanessa Toulmin for sharing her stories and insights
• Hanna Siemaszko for podcast expertise and support
• Isabelle Voegeli for facilitating this podcast at C²DH
• MediaLab, University of Luxembourg

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