Monday, March 27, 2006

The Five Eltons


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why aren't people doing stuff like this anymore.No one is reaching high enough in show biz today.
The most innovative work is coming
from outside our borders,and no one
in the states is doing anything about it.

Adam Spencer

Anonymous said...

These types of acts are a thing of the past. I was taught be Jenny Walinda when I was a First of May to do these things. To me there was glamor with a dozen or more ladies all doing the same thing together. I have not seen a web or ladder act for years. Its a good way to get the young started under the Big Top. Silks is pretty close but too hard for beginners. WHEN I Have my Circus of my dreams I will have Web done as a featured center ring act. Sequins and jewels covering every inch of their bodys. Feathers all over everything. Dreams I know but nice. It would not matter what country the kids came from. Most of the performers I knew were from Europe. etc.

Anonymous said...

One of the reasons you don't see acts like these is PRACTISE. No one wants to put the time and effort and hard work practise is,to achieve something great or spectacular. I think the other reason is you used to get paid for your hard work and accomplishments. Nowadays its how many acts can you do, not how good the acts are. By the way, that was an incredible letter and how great would those books be!

Anonymous said...

You don't see any more, "High Acts", too much rigging, no more "Horizontal Bars", or "Tumbling Acts", too hard physically, and like Tavana says, the same goes for acts requiring extensive practice. Does the word "LAZY" come to mind. It seems to me like doing "just enough to get by" would also apply!

Anonymous said...

Some one should have practiced what they preach. The Strongs were a joy to watch, not a BORE.

Anonymous said...

I witnessed a performance this Summer that was an embarrasment to watch. The performer was grossly over weight, costume so ugly it hurt. I have watched small children do the tricks this performer did and got paid for at the park playing on equipment. This performer never once smiled and spent more time styling then performing any actual tricks. The head piece worn was a nightmare. How on earth this performer ever thought they had any talent is beyond me. They should have paid to be permitted to work before an audience..All the great artist have long retired. This one was not even close to being a good act. I actually felt sorry for them.

Anonymous said...

I concure But these acts do not have to be a thing of the past,and to much rigging is a cop-out.I've been rigging big tops and circus since I was 12 I'm 35 now.I worked for Carla Wallenda when I was 15 and from what I've seen
some poeple not all consern themselves with just have a sellible act.With no knowledge
of the limitions of the rigging
their using.I've seen to many times
people using terfors or griphoist
well beound what they are rated for.Not doing regular safty insections or using rigging their
Grandfather handed down.Rigging does have a life span just like the rest of us.
respectfuly
Adam Spencer

Anonymous said...

Tavana: I've wondered how to contact you or your family. I have a photo of me leading the Suesz herd, Mary, Sue, and Marge, in the parade in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, with you and one of the Ronritas (Krause) girls atop Mary and Sue. If we meet again, I want you to sign it.

As for this act, I'm amazed this man is holding four girls with one hand. I'm glad I can still do that with a 6-pack.

Anonymous said...

Roger, I think they are making Wine Jugs heavier every year. I will have to start using a straw before long. Notice how the performers do not have an ounce of fat on them! And we ate very well in the cook house and pie car. No one was muscle bound either. I went on a faze some years back when body building was the thing to do in my group. Never hurt so much in my life. This never happened on the circus. Now its just seasoning of my body. Many many Summer. Fall, Winter, Spring seasons.