Wednesday, August 05, 2015

From Kenny Dodd #8


10 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Cucciolo with Alberto Zoppe

(Nik Troffer's grandfather)

Frank Ferrante said...

Alberto's family is still on the road with their Zoppe' Italian Family Circus. Wife Sandra, son Giovanni and daughters Tosca & Carla have a wonderful, intimate old-world style show that is rich in tradition and entertainment. They'll be here in Arizona after the Christmas holiday.

Ole Whitey said...

Paul caught the Circo Zoppe in Barrington the other day with Alberto's widow Sandy and their children, Giovanni and Tosca. Maybe he'll post a pic or two.

Chic Silber said...


Giovanni who works under the

name "Ninno" is a terrific

clown acrobat aerialist with

great charm & character

Half brother of Delilah & Tino

Frank Ferrante said...

Just one "n" - "Nino", at least that's how it's spelled on the hat I was given. They add additional acts to the show when needed. The Gentile Five - Foot jugglers are always a favorite addition. Carla's husband Rudi Heinan has a fun dog act and Tosca's husband Jay plays straight man "Papino" to Giovanni's "Nino"

Where can I send you some pictures, Buckles?

Frank Ferrante said...

One of the best parts of the show is when Giovanni has his little son, Julian with him. Dressed exactly alike, their bits are hilarious for the spontaneity that comes from working with a young boy.

Chic Silber said...


Thanks Frank I met the whole

2nd family when Alberto was

still alive & started that

little show with some odd

barnyard animals included

Many years later Nino was

working with Tino & family

on Circus Flora very nicely

Paul Gutheil said...

With you on all counts Frank. OW is quite right, Henry Bush and I saw the 1 1/2 shows in Great Barrington, Mass the Sunday after the Summit ended. 1 1/2 because of impending bad weather reports, they cut the second show short. So sad Walker Bros did not pay heed in NH.


Frank Ferrante said...

Thanks Chic - Giovanni is still doing his own engagements when their show is not playing somewhere. Paul, I sadly agree with you - Being in a blow down is a scary thing. I sent some recent Zoppe' photos to Buckles, I hope he got them - it was an OLD email address.

Roger Smith said...

At the time this photo was shot, DeMille was sufficiently impressed to give them a hell of a featured spot in his picture, including their announcement.