The 109th Edition’s aerial ballet was themed “Circus Can-Can, and had a turn-of-the-century Parisian flavor. Following a few bars of “La Mareillaise”, there was a medley of Offenbach melodies taken from “Gaite Parisienne.” Center-ring feature Marguerite Michele was introduced with “You’ll Find Me At Maxim’s” from “The Merry Widow.” Once the web girls were aloft, the music changed to the song from “Moulin Rouge” (sung in French by announcer-vocalist Kit Haskett!) The “hair hanging heroics” of Marguerite Michele were accompanied first by the finale from “The Merry Wives Of Windsor Overture” by Niccolai, and then by the finale from “Dance of the Serpents” by Boccalari. (Leave it to Bill Pruyn to come up with two old-time band numbers that fit the action perfectly.) |
Monday, August 24, 2009
1979 Ringling Aerial Ballet
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11 comments:
Note the break in the front of the ring curb of the center ring, this photo might have been "reversed" because the break (opening) would be in the back of the ring since the collapsible cage would be concealed in the ring curb.
The front track side of the ring curb would/should be solid, and since there is no openings at the farside of the photo it is obvious that the entrance to the floor would be at the lower end of the photo.
Just wondering.
Unless the door was just out
of frame upper right (as in
the Garden and a few others)
As you know some buildings
have offset entrances
Correction about the Garden
The back door is centered
(I was thinking about the old
Garden between 49th & 50th)
Margarita Vasquez Ayala came to
the Beatty show when she was
16 or 17 (neice of Chatta &
Pablo Martinez) I see her and
Miguel once in a while and she
still looks great Her daughters
now do versions of her act
Mike is probably correct. This photo was most likely reversed when I scanned the negative. (View it through a mirror and it should appear properly oriented!)
The Garden has two "portals" (I don't like that term), one lead onto the back track and the other served as an exit on the front track.
Why can't we just keep the word "doors" or "curtain"' the word portal makes me think of a cruise.
Bingo on the Lido Deck, complimentary wine and cheese spread with Ritz crackers.
Has the photo been reversed
Yup Mike is correct as in the
original version (before the
reversal) there was no band
in the back end so it must
have been in the near end of
the backward photo
Gold Star Mike (10 points)
Mike..Chic..et al..
Photo looks fine to me.
If we are in the current Garden, we are at the 8th Ave end "backstage" end of the arena. The entrance for the specs would be on the right lower side of the photo. (Individual acts often came in from the center aisle along the right side.) The exit would be on the lower left side. The "show side" would be on the left side and the open end of the rings are correct, facing the back side. I would think they would have continued this set-up for most arenas?
Not sure the question about the concealed cage being in the back of the ring curb? Now with the cages being flown there is not a problem.
Now Ringling uses a center procenium for most entrances and exits. I was concerned this year as at times the side blocking panels were left partially open so you could see backstage. Not good.
Regards..
klsdad
Mike the word portal refers to
a structure such as a false
procenium or framed drape that
that would sit in front of the
doorway in this end of the biz
On a stage there can be many
portals that in most cases help
with side masking (often used
in conjunction with borders
and legs) most often are hard
As long as WE are still alive
there will always be the
BACK DOOR (even when it's soft)
and someone to watch it
Mike I'll meet you at the
Midnight Buffet around 11
for the photo op
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