Monday, February 01, 2021

AERIALISTS #12


 

5 comments:

Charles Hanson said...

The Great Kenny Dodd working single trap...

Roger Smith said...

I see his slippers, and a little rosin, but I can't spot any gimmicks.

Kenny also a partnered a two-act on revolving ladder. It was sensational, but threatening. As Kenny told me, "You can get KILLED on revolving ladder!"

Charles Hanson said...

In a conversation with Kenny about the trap act...He made it clear to me how he felt about gimmicks. He said, "You can do anything on the trap when you are tied off to a rope. So no gimmicks for him...I have seen a lot of female single trap performers doing a one foot hang from the trap bar.....with a lot of shiny material around their ankle. Dead give away.....Kenny Dodd did the revolving ladder act with Billy Rogers. Billy owned Pirates Cove in Gibtown and also had rental property. Quite the successful business man.

Roger Smith said...

Billy Rogers shared the endless travails of the road with fellow showfolks, and his were gleefully chronicled in CIRCUS REPORT by Billy Barton.

Roger Smith said...

Speaking of gimmicks, Gerard Soules had elaborate heel-catch aids strapped in with his performance slippers. Drawn over with tights, and concealed with a deliberately floor-length cape, they were hopefully concealed until he began the act. Gimmicks or no, Gerry took a near-fatal fall that brought him to divert his career to plate-spinning and a dress dog act.