“I think there is much to be said from having an artifact that you can hold in your hands. That is perhaps a mark of the generation that I grew up in, but I believe it’s true. In an increasingly virtual world, artifacts, beautifully made things, are at a premium."
- Alan Moore commenting on magazines that exist only on the internet
Tom Dougherty
Michael Goudeau
Peter Pitofsky
I wonder if Charlie Jr got a slapstick for Christmas when he was seven?
Shane, the proud owner of the coveted Red Ryder 200 shot range model air rifle.
Jamie talking comedy with some pals
Shane bustin' a Buster.
Peace on Earth,
Shane is finally embracing his resemblance to Ralphie,
Keith Crabbs at the local Perkins' in Delaware for Kid's Night.
A close up of Graham's tribute board from the lobby of the Robarts Arena for the Showfolks Circus.From Wikipedia...
Ali Bongo (8 December 1929 – 8 March 2009) was a British comedy magician, and president of The Magic Circle who performed an act in which he was known as the "Shriek of Araby".
Born as William Oliver Wallace in Bangalore, India, where his father (also called William ) was serving as a Sergeant Major with the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, he spent his early years on a British station in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, going to Britain with his mother Lillian at the age of seven.
After William Wallace senior had ended his army service, the family moved to Sutton Valence in Kent and young William won a scholarship to Sutton Valence School, leaving at 16 to begin his career as an entertainer. His time in the National Service was spent with the Royal Army Pay Corps. He worked for Harry Stanley's Unique Magic Studio and was manager of the magic department on Hamleys toy shop in London's Regent Street.
He created his Shriek of Araby character with a cod oriental costume (robes, golden curly-toed slippers, horn-rimmed spectacles and a headgear that incorporated a fez and a turban) and took the name Ali Bongo from a character he had created for a youth club pantomime he had co-written and appeared in while in his teens. The original character had sung a song which began: "My name is Ali Bongo and I come from Pongo, pong-tiddley-pongo land." Among his later magic catch-phrases were "Uju Buju Suck Another Juju", "Aldy Bority Phostico Formio", "Hocus Pocus Fishbones Chokus".
He made his British TV debut on The Good Old Days in 1965 on a bill topped by Tommy Trinder.
Ali Bongo wrote many books on magic, many containing tricks of his own. He also illustrated them in his instantly recognisable style. He acted as magic consultant for many plays, opera, ballets and TV shows including David Nixon's Magic Box, The David Nixon Magic Show for Thames Television and The Paul Daniels Magic Show for the BBC.
Ali Bongo was the presenter of the Ali Bongo’s Cartoon Carnival, which featured himself and his assistant Oscar. It aired on UK TV BBC1 on Saturdays between 23 October and 18 December 1971, a total of nine episodes.
Bongo was featured in an episode of Children's TV show Rainbow, appeared in the science-fiction show The Tomorrow People in the serial "Revenge of Jedikiah" and had a slot in Zokko. He also acted as the magical advisor on the TV show Dr Who and the 70s cult series, Ace of Wands. His legendary ability for devising tricks and illusions and solving magical problems inspired the TV writer, David Renwick, to create a character who was a magician's assistant and amateur sleuth in the series Jonathan Creek. Bongo was magical adviser to the series.
Bongo joined The Magic Circle in 1960 and, two years later was made a Member of The Inner Magic Circle. He won The Magic Circle Magician of the Year in 1972, the Carlton Comedy Award in 1983 and the David Berglas Award in 1991. He served twice as vice-president of The Magic Circle before being elected president on 8 September 2008.
At the beginning of February 2009, Bongo collapsed while giving a lecture in Paris. He was taken to hospital and, whilst there, suffered a stroke. Bongo was subsequently returned to the United Kingdom and cared for in St Thomas' Hospital, London, where he later died from complications arising from pneumonia on March 8.
Ali Bongo was cited in a song by the band Half Man Half Biscuit in the mid 1980s, reflecting his status in UK popular culture at that time:
"My story seems so tragic, Ali Bongo's good at contortionism. He's much better Than David Nixon ever was..."
Shane came home from school today to find a box from Elmo Gibb waiting on the dining room table. In it, a custom made "Cashin Comedy Co." slapstick! We spent the afternoon whacking each other (and fighting the urge to give Jamie a swat on his diaper-protected rump).
"I'm loving all the Coco hats on everyone.
I didn't know him, but it was fun seeing him laugh at our slap stick routine in Baraboo last year at the reunion. I feel privileged to be doing many of the things that he did so well, stilt walking, performing all around the globe and adding my own skiing skills to the clown world.
Here are three photos that I took today on the mountain with the race team and in my Kinderkids class. This is my 20th season at Alpine Valley in East Troy WI. Alpinevalleyresort.com Then check out ski school. I'm booked through March so between teaching 3rd grade in Milwaukee and Skiing all weekends and holidays I don't get a single day off until spring break when I take my family to Mexico for 10 days.
Let's hear a big Awwwwwww for Mr. Bill who is so busy working. Stinking skiing and getting paid to ski and clown? Not a bad gig!"
The local photo club came out and took some beautiful photos of the clowns as we made up. Please click the title of this post to see 177 shots of us and the rest of the show.
Robin's shirt reads "Keep Staring, I Might Do a Trick".
It's Elmo's World, the rest of us just live in it.
Jackie upon learning that he was the only one who'd be doing full whiteface.
Jackie
Barry in Repose
Elmo Gibb, King of the Ring
Toby Circus Ballantine witha Coco tribute of his own, on high stilts during come-in
Toby with Henrietta
Karen, Robin and Barry's expressions as I explain to them that we aren't getting paid for this.
Elmo Gibb
Jackie LeClaire
Barry "Bonzo" DeChant
Robin "Rusty the Handyman" Eurich
Karen Bell
Barry Phillips
Jackie had them eating out of the palm of his hand trom the very moment that he stepped into the ring. Never underestimate an audience's response (especially a Sarasota audience) to a honest-to-goodness three ring circus clown!
Karen Bell steps out
Toby yanking the long shirt off of Elmo
Like I said, I don't think that I've seen a long shirt longer or better made than the one Toby has
Smile, style and then profile as all clown exit running
Jackie and Robin
Another shot of everyone with the Coco tribute board that Graham had left to be placed in the lobby.
Rehearsing the clown car, Saturday morning. We had limited time in the ring to get things up and running with a group that either had never done a clown car before or hadn't done one in at least 20 years. Elmo took the lead and was instrumental at bringing all the elements together quickly.
Karen, Elmo, me and Robin. Elmo and I spent the summer teaching together.
International Clown Hall of Famer Jackie LeClaire with Barry Phillips and Karen Bell.
A Coco hat sat on the end of the wardrobe rack for the first show. It was later moved
The wardrobe rack for the 2009 Showfolks Circus Clown Alley, the
Barry Phillips and Robin Eurich fell in love and were married backstage. It's hard to believe but their union is still not recognized in 47 of the 50 states. Barry's rainbow colored pants will be flown when they proudly march hand-in-hand at this year's Pride Parade.
Toby Circus Ballantine, Jackie LeClaire, Barry Phillips and Elmo Gibb.
Circus legends and friends of clownalley.net, Sue and Rudy Lenz with Barry Phillips
Elmo getting into Toby Ballantine's long shirt, the best I've ever seen!
Me talking with Carlos Swenson, a fellow survivor of the Ringling 129th.
Stepping out of the clown car with assistance from Jackie
Barry Phillips (who stands 11' 7") stepping out just before putting
Me, Mike Naughton, Elmo and Karen Bell at the Showfolks Club after the show.MORE TO COME!
