This has inspired me to go out and practice my 'Hobo/Tramp Act'.
This is fantastic! posted by mazola at 8:58 AM on July 3, 2010
Finally put my electronics degree to good use. I made a career switch to the vaudeville circuit. posted by hal9k at 9:04 AM on July 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Forget Milton Berle! Forget Fanny Brice! Forget the Ritz Brothers! They don't hold a candle to me, because I'm the toast of Vaudeville! posted by Iridic at 9:32 AM on July 3, 2010 [2 favorites]
Am I too old to run away and join the circus? posted by The Whelk at 10:09 AM on July 3, 2010
The Whelk, you are not too old to join the (small crappy itinerant) circus. Just go to the tent when they are breaking down, and you might get tens of dollars for helping. If you hit it off, and show up at few more breakdowns, under your own steam, maybe you can ride with them and sleep on a pile of canvas. If you aren't wanted by the FBI or pursued by private detectives tracking you for some misdeed, all the better. posted by StickyCarpet at 11:05 AM on July 3, 2010
Comedy Boxers: This act is one in which no skill is required whatever.
The Whelk: I'm in the circus - when I started training I couldn't even do a tumble. My handstands are still rubbish, but I've picked up some strong skills in other things and have performance experience. I do burlesque too.
It's never too late to start - we get a lot of 30-40 somethings joining in and having a go! posted by divabat at 11:15 AM on July 3, 2010
Aerialists: ... Special skill or strength are not required as directions for accomplishing the various acts come with the apparatus.
Dude, aerials are hard. Some people take to them like monkeys to trees, but without proper training you'll likely fall and paralyse yourself. Eep! posted by divabat at 11:20 AM on July 3, 2010
All high school guidance counselors need this book. I could have been a chapeaugraphist. posted by pracowity at 1:03 PM on July 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Whelk, you are not too old to join the (small crappy itinerant) circus. Just go to the tent when they are breaking down, and you might get tens of dollars for helping.
It's actually quite true. I signed up to volunteer at the local underground circus/cabaret and got offered a paying job on the production staff after three days. posted by mykescipark at 1:26 PM on July 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have a furry, inexplicable desire to be an humanimal. posted by carsonb at 2:11 PM on July 3, 2010
The Whelk, you are not too old to join the (small crappy itinerant) circus. Just go to the tent when they are breaking down, and you might get tens of dollars for helping.
I did this once when I was 12 and got all the goldfish I could carry.
I like how the electrical acts require "no skill" and yet draw the biggest crowds and pay the largest salaries. posted by davejay at 10:34 PM on July 3, 2010
MetaFilter: Choose almost any race or character you wish and a suitable line of talk to carry out the part will make the act go.1 posted by davejay at 10:36 PM on July 3, 2010
One more thing: this pamphlet spells Xylophone with a Z. Was that actually the common spelling back then, or did the author just spell it phonetically? posted by davejay at 10:38 PM on July 3, 2010
I still wanna see the gypsy queen, in a glaze of vaseline, perform the guillotine. posted by Goofyy at 10:00 PM on July 5, 2010
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