A lifter or Strength Set man, these always go down well. Top Olympic lifters are denied to us, so if you have any ideas of getting Louis Martin. or any British Olympic Champion, forget them even for an exhibition because our weightlifting association will not even allow them to attend one of our "illegal" shows, so you turn to the S.A.W.L. with whom we have very close ties, and they indeed have many top Strength Set men and many good matches can be arranged on the Strength Lifts if you are interested, and of course on the Olympics.
Muscle control-names that come to mind are Syd Baker, the Man in Bronze. Syd seems to have gone into semi-retirement after a long spell of shows. Tony Holland, no longer available to P.C. shows because of professional theatre commitments. The Silver Statue is extremely popular and therefore the most in demand. He has increased his range by offering show organisers an act in silver, gold or no colour at all, but it is one act. Derek Manthorpe, another expert, is not too keen on shows because of his business commitments. Derek Gibbons is popular and includes strength feats so is a good item to have. But there is a dearth of items of this kind for the number of shows available.
Strength feats-Arnold Dyson, former Professional Mr. Universe, is an outstanding choice and will include a posing item. Frank Bennett, a comparative newcomer from Barnsley district, is becoming known. Geoff Morris, of Liverpool, is a young veteran who still enjoys great popularity. Balancing acts, there is always one in most shows, who have we available other than full-time professionals, who can seldom tie themselves down too long before the date they are required-The Mackins, that fabulous father and daughter act from Kirkcaldy, not very often available in summer. Very reasonable, but to bring them along from Scotland costs quite a bit for most areas where P.C. shows take place. The Marcille Duo-Hubert and Marjorie Bell, of Sheffield, still in great demand, always available and always reasonable and popular, but they have been seen quite a bit over the year. The Zeetonns, Norman and Sylvia Hibbert, not usually available in summer as they are full-time pros., but like P.C. shows in winter. Bob and Marilyn Sterling, of Stourbridge, a professional act (Bob Broadfield) has had one or two acts. They will be at the Britain and at present need engagements.
The ever popular Ted Durante, who is, of course, a full-time and well known professional not usually available during the pantomime season, but wonderful value if you can get him as he will really entertain your audience for 20 minutes or more.
The Colleanoes, of the Ilford Gymnastic Club-Malcolm Cheeseman and John Davies are available for most shows.
Gymnastics used to be a very popular part of all our shows and we have in Britain some great gymnasts. In Wales they form a very important and popular part of any big show. Contact your local gymnastic clubs and see what you can get in this direction, they go down well, but do not make the items too long with teams of boys or girls repeating every trick they know several times.
I know of one or two trampoline acts that always go down well if you have room for them and if the performers can supply and transport their own trampoline.
Teams of attractive girls doing weight training go down well and there are one or two of these but not all are able to travel outside their own district. Even the famous Sheffield Barbelles have rather curtailed their shows to
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Nabba photo
Arax photo
For an excellent twenty minutes there is always Ted Durante if he is available because he is on the professional
circuit
A girl who gets on very well with her father is Margaret, of the fabulous Mackins. They put on a sizzling show
Arax photo
Norma and Sylvia Hibbert give the show a lift. They move with a skilful grace as the Zeetonns
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