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A fourth-generation circus performer (through her mother), Lola Dobritch (1922-2008) was one of the great tight-wire artists of the mid-twentieth century, famous for crossing her wire on her toes like a ballerina—still a rare feat in her times—which, along with her natural grace and her use of a feather fan instead of an umbrella for balancing, won her to be advertised as “The Pavlova of the Silver Strand.” | A fourth-generation circus performer (through her mother), Lola Dobritch (1922-2008) was one of the great tight-wire artists of the mid-twentieth century, famous for crossing her wire on her toes like a ballerina—still a rare feat in her times—which, along with her natural grace and her use of a feather fan instead of an umbrella for balancing, won her to be advertised as “The Pavlova of the Silver Strand.” | ||
| − | She was born Vera Dobrich—the correct English spelling of her name | + | She was born Vera Dobrich—the correct English spelling of her name—on October 14, 1922 in Sofia, Bulgaria, to Alexandre and Anna Dobrich. Alexandre and his brother, Lazar (1881-1970), owned the Royal Dobrich Circus in Bulgaria. "Lola," as Vera would become known (she was often featured as "Miss Lola"), learned all traditional circus disciplines from her parents and took ballet classes in Sofia, before specializing as a wire dancer. She made her debut on the wire at age ten, in 1932, in the family circus. |
In 1946, Lola Dobritch married the German acrobat on unicycle Emil Goetschi (1921-2002), whose remarkable novelty act with brothers Carl and Hans was well known all over Europe, and she became part of the Goetschis’ act while continuing to perform her own tight-wire act. The following year, 1947, the Goetschis signed a contract for their two acts with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and went to the United States. | In 1946, Lola Dobritch married the German acrobat on unicycle Emil Goetschi (1921-2002), whose remarkable novelty act with brothers Carl and Hans was well known all over Europe, and she became part of the Goetschis’ act while continuing to perform her own tight-wire act. The following year, 1947, the Goetschis signed a contract for their two acts with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and went to the United States. | ||
| − | Lola Dobritch made her debut with The Greatest Show On Earth at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 9, 1947. She performed in a triple tight-wire display that included herself on ring one, the amazing Reverhos in the center ring, and The Joannides on ring three; all three acts were making their American debut. Lola and the Goetschis remained three seasons with Ringling Bros., playing dates in Europe or in America during the winter.... ([[Lola Dobritch|more...]]) | + | Lola Dobritch made her debut with ''The Greatest Show On Earth'' at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 9, 1947. She performed in a triple tight-wire display that included herself on ring one, the amazing Reverhos in the center ring, and The Joannides on ring three; all three acts were making their American debut. Lola and the Goetschis remained three seasons with Ringling Bros., playing dates in Europe or in America during the winter.... ([[Lola Dobritch|more...]]) |
==New Essays and Biographies== | ==New Essays and Biographies== | ||
Revision as of 01:28, 1 July 2023
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In The Spotlight
LOLA DOBRITCH
A fourth-generation circus performer (through her mother), Lola Dobritch (1922-2008) was one of the great tight-wire artists of the mid-twentieth century, famous for crossing her wire on her toes like a ballerina—still a rare feat in her times—which, along with her natural grace and her use of a feather fan instead of an umbrella for balancing, won her to be advertised as “The Pavlova of the Silver Strand.”
She was born Vera Dobrich—the correct English spelling of her name—on October 14, 1922 in Sofia, Bulgaria, to Alexandre and Anna Dobrich. Alexandre and his brother, Lazar (1881-1970), owned the Royal Dobrich Circus in Bulgaria. "Lola," as Vera would become known (she was often featured as "Miss Lola"), learned all traditional circus disciplines from her parents and took ballet classes in Sofia, before specializing as a wire dancer. She made her debut on the wire at age ten, in 1932, in the family circus.
In 1946, Lola Dobritch married the German acrobat on unicycle Emil Goetschi (1921-2002), whose remarkable novelty act with brothers Carl and Hans was well known all over Europe, and she became part of the Goetschis’ act while continuing to perform her own tight-wire act. The following year, 1947, the Goetschis signed a contract for their two acts with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and went to the United States.
Lola Dobritch made her debut with The Greatest Show On Earth at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 9, 1947. She performed in a triple tight-wire display that included herself on ring one, the amazing Reverhos in the center ring, and The Joannides on ring three; all three acts were making their American debut. Lola and the Goetschis remained three seasons with Ringling Bros., playing dates in Europe or in America during the winter.... (more...)
New Essays and Biographies
- Jo-Ann Jennier, Aerialist, Animal Trainer
- Ethel Jennier, Aerialist, Animal Trainer
- Walter Jennier, Sea Lion Trainer
- Rex Williams, Elephant Trainer
- Little Billy Merchant, Clown
New Videos
- Martine Gruss, ballerina on horseback (1977)
- Bogdanov Troupe, combination flying actAny aerial act in which an acrobat is propelled in the air from one point to another. (2023)
- Compagnie Soralino, object-balancing comedy act (2023)
- Aleksei Grigorov & Marina Galavatskikh, lyraAerial apparatus similar to an Aerial Hoop, but in the form of a lyre, or an aerial hoop with a horizontal bar at its top. (2019)
- Franky Babusio & Co., clown entrée(French) Clown piece with a dramatic structure, generally in the form of a short story or scene. (1962)
New Oral Histories
- For A Moment You Fly, The First Season of The Big Apple Circus (1977)
- Vladimir Durov Documentary on Russian Television (c.2000)
- Dolly Jacobs Interview at The Ringling (2018)
- Pinito del Oro's Interview on Spanish Television (1970)
- Gia Eradze's Interview on SSU TV (2015)
Circopedia Books
- Philip Astley & The Horsemen who invented the Circus, by Dominique Jando (2018)
A Message from the Founder
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding archive of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- Dominique Jando
- Founder and Curator
