The JUMBO cast is even higher than that, because some of the circus acts listed one entry in the playbill were comprised of two or more people, like the Kimris—a woman and her brother-in-law aerialists (originally the two brothers, but one was badly hurt in a fall shortly before JUMBO opened, so his wife stepped in); the Lomas Troupe (led by Tom Lomas, tumblers and stiltwalkers—at least six, as depicted in Hirschfeld’s JUMBO drawing—a fellow named Archie Leach used to be with the Lomas/Pender Troupe); the Stonleys—three more aerialists.
Laura, who spent all yesterday afternoon researching JUMBO’s “Wingless Pegasus,” the amazing horse named Doheos, and his trainer, Herr Doktor
Hermann Ostermaier (and asking questions of various other writers I know who have horses—I promised to answer any theatre research queries they might have, cuz Writers Help Writers!) |
