This drawing was made by the Brighton-based illustrator, author, poet performer and teacher Curtis Tappenden. Curtis Tappenden visits many circuses and specialises in making lightning drawings capturing the moment at the ringside. He made this sketch as quickly as he would when sketching performers in the ring, and noted on the back that it was sketched at 12.45pm. The previous sketch he made of the process (S.135-2018) was timed by him at 12.30pm, showing the incredible speed of the build-up.

The Chinese State Circus comprises acts from China brought to the UK and tented throughout the country by Gandey World Class Productions. After a three- year break Gandey organised their 2017 tour Dynasty comprising thirty acrobats, aerial artistes, jugglers, and martial arts skills of the Shaolin Warriors. The sketch was made on Monday 16th October 2017 when the circus was being erected on Jackson's Recreation Ground in Rochester, Kent, where it performed from Tuesday 17th to Sunday 22nd October. Jackson's Recreation Ground is named after the Mayor of Rochester, John Howard Jackson who donated the land to the city in 1914.

The build-up and break-down of tenting circus are labour-intensive processes in which all the performers become involved. Often working in bad weather, the big top must be erected and brought down as quickly and efficiently as possible with its seating, electrics and rigging all in place before the side canvas enclosing it is in put in place.