Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Table Acts #1


As a change of pace.....an assortment of furniture acts.
During a life time of loading and unloading bull tubs, planks, spindles, barrels, etc. I always envied acts that traveled light.
I remember two Canadian brothers who did an excellent knockabout act that only required a table. After arriving in their car few hours before show time they would scout around the building to see if they could locate one.
If nothing turned up they would borrow one out of somebodies office.

9 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Louie & Pierre Zerbini did a

comedy acrobatic knockabout act

with a long table that they put

some talc on to make it slippery

Wardrobe was desheveled suits

& floppy fedoras to resemble a

couple of drunks

Chic Silber said...


I recall that Pierre's 2 sons

Robert & Mario tried to continue

with their routine years later

with very little success

John Herriott said...

Chic: I must take issue with you concerning the young Zerbini acrobats and their Comedy "table act" I do not know how you rate success but I vividley recall seeing them shortly after their arrival to our shores on a small American "mud show" and the act was excellent, doing everything that is expected from a good table comedy act, including their comedy actions. They were very good all around performers in various acts [wire, low wire][cousins did great high wire] and bareback riding. We, circus folks talked about the fact that it was nice to see a good comedy table act, not having one currently appearing. I am sure there wrere other issues in their regard, but I feel I must state my opinion and that of others that we saw. Bear in mind this was a small tent show that would not attract many general critics.They have gone on over the years as single act performers,etc. but I can assaure you that they were fine, seasoned and well trained young performers.

Chic Silber said...


Sorry John but I believe we are

referring to 2 different times in

their careers as I only saw the

boys worked the table well after

their father & uncle gave it up

The entire family (& I know them

all very well) have always been

top notch performers in so many

different endeavors

Chic Silber said...


I imagine you are talking about

their time on the Mills Show &

I only met them after that

After watching Louie & Pierre do

their version of the table act

it seemed (some time later) that

the boys were phoning it in

Chic Silber said...


All of the many Zerbini family

acts were superb as Jean Charles

(Tarzan) doing an incredible act

with mixed cats without whips &

guns & chairs that included just

the right amount of comedy (until

he got that damn wireless mike)

It was the 1st time seeing that

style of cat act for me & it was

so different from the fighting

style I had seen before

The "Les Block" high wire group

led by Gerhard & Rita & included

Louie's 2 sons Gerard & Alain as

well as Jean Berveaux & Stella's

daughter Gilda was of classic

European style & elegant

Both Jacqueline & Mimi did very

memorable high trapeze routines

Chic Silber said...


Most of the younger generations

are keeping up that tradition

& I'm proud to know many of them

Especially the 3 sisters Patty

Sylvia & Christine

John Herriott said...

Where did you see the two older brothers do the comedy table act? as I recall they were past their prime for doing that strenous acro act after coming to America. By the way it was not on Mills where I sw the younger brothers. They were on Hoxies second show, small show named Lewis Bros. and that season was mgnd by Pete Cristiani. Also I am the first announcer that John, Mimi and the family had when appearing in America on Mills Bros. anbd the Tarzan thing was a couple of yeARS IN THE FUTURE. fOR the record.I am fortunate at this age in life that my memory is excellent and my family and friends are quite aware of that. I just like to keep the record straight and call it the way it is. No offense taken to be sure. Sincerely johhnny

Chic Silber said...


Your memory is very impressive

John & we are all very lucky to

read the important details as you

describe them (thanks)

My recollections are pretty fair

fortunately this is not a contest

I believe I 1st met the family on

a Fleckles or Don Francisco date

in the early 60s but not certain