Olga Kaira
Miss Lala: The Iron Jawed Acrobat
There is a common misconception about Europe and Black people; that basically, there are no black people there other than maybe in London. As a first-generation West Indian born in London myself, I too fall victim to this strange phenomenon. Occasionally, a reader from Russia or as happened this week from Estonia will contact me and I'll think to myself “How on earth did black people get there?” Yea I know it’s dumb, but if you catch me on a miserable Monday morning, I’m liable to think anything. So, more to remind me than to educate anyone else that we are a global people, this particular slice of history is from Poland via Germany. Let me introduce you to Miss Lala also know as, Olga Kaira, “Olga the Mulatto”, “Olga the Negress”, “The Venus of the Tropics”, “The Cannon Woman” and “The African Princess.”
Mixed fortunes
Miss Lala was born Anna Olga Albertina Brown to Wilhelm Brown and Marie Christine Borchardt, on April 21, 1858, in the former German (but now Polish) city of Stettin (Szczecin).
Miss Lala though possessed incredible strength, an all-around circus performer she worked at various times as a wire walker, trapeze artist, hand balancer, strong woman and incredibly enough an iron jaw performer.
She first appeared in the circus aged 9 and found fame aged 21 in France. She toured around Europe eventually finding her way to London where she performed at the Royal Aquarium and Manchester's Gaiety Theatre.
Lala was part of the troupe called Folies Bergère and the Keziah Sisters. She partnered with another strength acrobat called Theophila Szterker/Kaira la Blanche. Together they were known as Les Deux Papillons (The two butterflies).
The circus played up Lala’s African ancestry to create mystery thereby and increase ticket sales. Stories were circulated saying that she was a dethroned African Princess who lost her throne and was sold into slavery. These kinds of fictitious back stories were often created for circus acts, and similar back stories for circus performers in America such as Zublia the “Circassian Lady” are well documented. I touch on the topic briefly in my podcast about Russian poet, Alexandar Pushkin who died 30 years before Miss Lala’s first circus performance.
The in writings of the time Lala is described as:
“Strong above the average of womankind in the jaw”
Lala’s Iron jaw act was hailed in Paris as being superior to the male iron jaw performers a compliment which must have stuck in many a man’s throat.
In an 1879 newspaper report, Lala’s act is described in detail. The article mentioned how Lala hung from her hocks (knees) on her trapeze while holding a second trapeze between her teeth. A child, a woman and a man took it in turns to perform poses on this second trapeze and then a duo act took their turn all the while with Lala bearing their weight between her teeth.
Then a woman performed a toe hang off this second trapeze while holding the weight of another woman in her arms. The ante was then upped as Lala was lifted up to the roof rafters where she hung upside down on her trapeze in one-legged hocks (Hanging on just one knee) while holding the weight of a man on each arm and the weight of one between her teeth.
The grand finale of her act did not disappoint as Lala lifted a civil war era canon with wheels up into the air with her teeth. The canon was then fired with the aftershock of the blast causing Lala’s body to rebound involuntarily.
One reviewer/critic said:
“She does all that her muscular rivals have done and a great deal more. Lala as we have hinted is a representative of a dark-skinned race, but in the matter of strength she is prepared to assert her superiority of the boastful people who will have it that all virtues are associated with a light complexion.”
Lala was immortalised at the age of 21 when she was painted by Edgar Degas at the Cirque Fernando which was close to his studio in Montmartre. The painting depicts Lala suspended from the roof of the circus by a rope connected to a bit between her teeth.
`
Degas who himself was of mixed race on his mother’s side, watched Lala’s popular act for four nights but was challenged by the perspective that he was faced with, painting from underneath the subject as well as having to adhere to 1870’s theory on colour choices. He was also challenged by trying to paint a ‘pose that would convey her soaring movement and the strain on her jaws.’ Of the finished painting, critic Roy McMullen wrote that it was considered to be, ‘Among the artist’s most striking and complex achievements.”
Lala continued to perform from the 1860s up to the late 1880s. In 1888 she married an American contortionist by the name of Emanuel (Manuel) Woodson. This was the same year of her stage partner Theophila Szterker’s tragic death from a fall.
Emanuel and Lala went on to have a daughter Rose Eddie Woodson who was born in London in 1894. According to the newspaper The New York Age (October 21, 1915) the couple went on to have two more daughters who formed an act called the Three Keziahs.
In the last years of his life, Lala’s husband Emanuel was the stage manager of the Palais d’Ete circus in Brussels. The last known date of Lala’s life, when she was known as Anna Woodson and Olga Woodson, is 1919, from a US passport application.
Original Source: https://thecircusgirlblog.wordpress.com/tag/olga-kaira/
http://jstheater.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/proustdegassurrealist-drawing-morgan.html
6436 comments
viagra online https://viagarabig.com/ – canadian generic viagra pills
generic viagra without a doctor prescription
cheap generic viagra pills [url=https://viagarabig.com/#]viagra dosage[/url] viagra without a doctor prescription 150 mg
generic viagra without a doctor prescription https://viagaramu.com/# – viagra connect
viagra soft
generic viagra india cheap viagra online viagra sildenafil
Guaranteed Worldwide Shipping
Discreet Package
Low Prices
24/7/365 Customer Support
Visit Our online Pharmacy === >>> https://numl.org/Fbd
-——————————————————————————————————————————-
[/b]
yyq2q1a21qccv-xxx2202xx-df4-2w-33we-1
[quote] [i]
STATES,CANADA,UK ,AUSTRALIA[/b]ALL COUNTRIES! ALL DESTINATIONS!
Provera in EUROPE
Provera in ITALY
Provera in FRANCE
Provera in SPAIN
Provera in GERMANY
Provera in IRELAND
Provera in NEW ZEALAND
Provera in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia
Provera in SOUTH AFRICA
[/i][/quote]
]
[i]Provera in United Kingdom (GB) | shipped overnight ; online no prescription [/i]
Buy At Low Cost Provera United States (US) for sale online ;
Buy Discount Provera in USA fast shipping no prescription ;
[b]Buy Online Provera in AUSTRALIA c.o.d. without prescription [/b] ;
Order At Low Price Provera in USA at discounted prices ;
[b]Provera in United Kingdom (GB) | shipped overnight ; online no prescription [/b]
links_A[D:\common.txt,1,NP] in AUSTRALIA
buying cheap Provera on line purchase
[b]Provera in United Kingdom (GB) | shipped overnight ; online no prescription [/b]
mail order Provera without a prescription or membership USA
Provera online USA
buy generic Provera free overnight fedex delivery
Provera overnight delivery no r x
ordering online Provera next day delivery USA
Provera online cod USA
legit place to buying Provera overnight delivery
Provera online cod
Provera no prescription united states
buy free online Provera in USA
Provera no prescription next day delivery USA
buy online cheap Provera online at low cost
Provera generic fedex no prescription
how to purchase Provera no script next day delivery USA
Provera online lowest prices
buy discount generic Provera without a prescription or membership
Provera saturday delivery
Provera medication cod in Baltimore
buy generic Provera available united states
best prices for Provera in United Kingdom (GB)
order cheap online Provera United States (US)
buy cheap Provera overnight fedex
cheap and easy Provera nextday shipping
low prices Provera with no prescription USA
legitimate pharmacy Provera in Philadelphia
Provera no prescription united states
cheapest place to order Provera in Honolulu
cheapest place to order Provera no prior script overnight
ordering Provera no prescription USA
fda approved Provera in USA
can i purchase generic Provera next day delivery USA
cheapest Provera in Virginia
buy easy legally Provera online lowest prices
cost for Provera no prescription fast delivery
buy free online Provera online pharmacy USA
Provera overnight delivery no rx USA
buy cheapest Provera in AUSTRALIA
order now low price Provera in San Francisco
order with low price Provera in AUSTRALIA
wholesale Provera online with visa
best price Provera in AUSTRALIA
discount pharmacy Provera United States (US)
mail order Provera in UK/GB
for sale Provera in United Kingdom (GB)
order easy Provera in AUSTRALIA
how to buy Provera in AUSTRALIA
discount Provera in United Kingdom (GB)
cheap pharmacy Provera in United Kingdom (GB)
safe order generic Provera United States (US)
discount Provera in USA
where to purchase Provera in United Kingdom (GB)
safe order for generic Provera in USA
Provera in UK/GB from trusted pharmacy [/url]
how can i get Provera United States (US)
Guaranteed Worldwide Shipping
Discreet Package
Low Prices
24/7/365 Customer Support
Visit Our online Pharmacy === >>> https://numl.org/.992851
-——————————————————————————————————————————-
[/b]
yyq2q1a21qccv-xxx2202xx-df4-2w-33we-1
[quote] [i]
STATES,CANADA,UK ,AUSTRALIA[/b]ALL COUNTRIES! ALL DESTINATIONS!
Lopressor in EUROPE
Lopressor in ITALY
Lopressor in FRANCE
Lopressor in SPAIN
Lopressor in GERMANY
Lopressor in IRELAND
Lopressor in NEW ZEALAND
Lopressor in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia
Lopressor in SOUTH AFRICA
[/i][/quote]
]
[i]Lopressor in CANADA | no script needed ; with no rx [/i]
Cheap Online Order Lopressor in UK/GB from approved pharmacy ;
Pharmacies That Sell Lopressor in USA no prescription required ;
[b]Buy Cheap Lopressor in AUSTRALIA free worldwide shipping [/b] ;
Lowest Price Lopressor in USA no prescription overnight ;
[b]Lopressor in CANADA | no script needed ; with no rx [/b]
links_A[D:\common.txt,1,NP] in USA
safe order for generic Lopressor saturday delivery USA
[b]Lopressor in CANADA | no script needed ; with no rx [/b]
purchase cheapest Lopressor drug without prescription
Lopressor no perscription overnight
cheap and easy Lopressor buy cod
Lopressor privately no rx
safe order generic Lopressor c.o.d. without prescription
Lopressor free airmail or courier shipping
lowest prices for Lopressor shipped with no prescription USA
Lopressor online free cod
Lopressor USA no prescription
where can i buy generic Lopressor no prescription needed
Lopressor tablets without script USA
fda approved Lopressor free overnight fedex delivery
Lopressor next day no prescription needed USA
buy free online Lopressor airmail USA,,eu
Lopressor c.o.d. without prescription
where to purchase Lopressor with creditcard no prescription
Lopressor tijuana
Lopressor online no prescription overnight in United Kingdom
cheapest to buy Lopressor with no perscription
where to order Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB)
low prices for generic Lopressor in AUSTRALIA
where can i buy Lopressor from a pharmacy without a prescription
legit place to buying Lopressor online lowest prices
cheap buying online Lopressor saturday
safe order generic Lopressor in GB
Lopressor and no prescription
legit place to buying Lopressor in Chesapeake
need Lopressor overnight
buying cheap Lopressor cheap cod no rx USA
discount price for Lopressor in UK/GB
legal buy Lopressor cash on delivery
low prices Lopressor in Anchorage
cheapest place to order Lopressor same day delivery
best price Lopressor without rx USA
do you know how i can buy Lopressor USA discount prices
Lopressor no prescriptions needed
order easy Lopressor United States (US)
purchase Lopressor in Wiltshire
get at low cost Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB)
best price for generic Lopressor overnight delivery no r x USA
buy free online Lopressor in USA
discount pharmacy Lopressor in USA
buy online Lopressor in USA
discount drugs Lopressor United States (US)
pharmacy Lopressor in AUSTRALIA
discount Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB)
generic Lopressor in AUSTRALIA
how to buy Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB)
cheap generic Lopressor in CANADA
where do i get Lopressor United States (US)
where to get Lopressor United States (US)
pharmacy Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB)
Lopressor in United Kingdom (GB) c.o.d. no rx [/url]
order with low price Lopressor United States (US)
Guaranteed Worldwide Shipping
Discreet Package
Low Prices
24/7/365 Customer Support
Visit Our online Pharmacy === >>> https://numl.org/.003851
-——————————————————————————————————————————-
[/b]
yyq2q1a21qccv-xxx2202xx-df4-2w-33we-1
[quote] [i]
STATES,CANADA,UK ,AUSTRALIA[/b]ALL COUNTRIES! ALL DESTINATIONS!
Evecare in EUROPE
Evecare in ITALY
Evecare in FRANCE
Evecare in SPAIN
Evecare in GERMANY
Evecare in IRELAND
Evecare in NEW ZEALAND
Evecare in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia
Evecare in SOUTH AFRICA
[/i][/quote]
]
[i]Evecare in USA | no dr approval ; no prescription fast delivery [/i]
Brand Or Generic Evecare in CANADA free delivery on sale ;
Wholesale Cheapest Evecare United States (US) for sale online ;
[b]Cheapest Prices Evecare in AUSTRALIA pay c.o.d [/b] ;
Low Cost Evecare in USA online pharmacy overnight shipping ;
[b]Evecare in USA | no dr approval ; no prescription fast delivery [/b]
links_A[D:\common.txt,1,NP] in United Kingdom (GB)
purchase generic Evecare no rx in USA
[b]Evecare in USA | no dr approval ; no prescription fast delivery [/b]
buy at low price Evecare from a USA pharmacy without a prescription
Evecare generic fedex no prescription
where can i purchase Evecare cod no script
Evecare cash on delivery USA
discount tablets Evecare shipped overnight without a prescription
Evecare no rx
discount pharmacy Evecare with no prescription
Evecare no perscription overnight USA
Evecare overnight without prescription USA
tablets Evecare medication cod
Evecare next day no prescription USA
drugs Evecare cash on delivery overnight
Evecare prescriptions online
buy online generic Evecare online overnight shipping
Evecare no rx
buy cheapest generic Evecare without a prescription or membership USA
Evecare saturday
Evecare shipped overnight without a prescription in Arkansas
purchase cheap online Evecare overnight no prescription
can i purchase generic Evecare in AUSTRALIA
low prices Evecare United States (US)
want Evecare money order
need Evecare available united states
mail order discounts on Evecare no prescriptions needed USA
purchase cheapest generic Evecare in New Mexico
Evecare no prior script overnight USA
cheap generic Evecare in New Hampshire
buy online cheap Evecare saturday delivery
buy safety Evecare no prior prescription USA
purchase Evecare United States (US)
where can i buy generic Evecare cod cash delivery USA
cost for Evecare in Seattle
i want with discount Evecare online pharmacies saturday delivery
drugs Evecare delivered next day
for sale Evecare no prescription next day delivery USA
Evecare online lowest prices USA
i want with discount Evecare in CANADA
order online generic Evecare in Ohio
where do i get Evecare in USA
order cheap generic Evecare same day delivery
secure ordering Evecare in CANADA
generic Evecare in CANADA
cheap buying online Evecare in USA
can i purchase generic Evecare in United Kingdom (GB)
buy online Evecare in CANADA
buy discount generic Evecare in USA
ordering online Evecare in USA
orders Evecare in United Kingdom (GB)
low cost Evecare in UK/GB
cheap Evecare United States (US)
online pharmacy Evecare in United Kingdom (GB)
cheap Evecare in UK/GB
Evecare in USA at discounted prices [/url]
cheap price for generic Evecare in CANADA