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Young lady shortly fails to walk the tightrope
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Young lady shortly fails to walk the tightrope
A young lady reads out a learned treatise upon tight-rope walking in a circus rather than actually performing on the high wire herself! Date: 1923
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Media ID 14399093
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Acrobat Acrobatic Aloud Angry Audience Balance Ballet Body Circus Dancer Gladys Performance Peto Read Reads Sporty Tight Rope Tightrope Wire 1923
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this image from the roaring twenties, a young and elegant woman named Gladys stands at the edge of a tightrope, poised to deliver a lecture to an impatient and increasingly restless circus audience. The year is 1923, and the era's fashionable flapper style is on full display as Gladys dons a form-fitting, sleeveless dress and a stylish cloche hat. However, instead of gracefully balancing on the high wire as an acrobat, she clutches a thick, leather-bound book tightly in her hands, her expression a mixture of determination and apprehension. The audience, a sea of curious and expectant faces, leans forward in their seats, their expressions a mix of amusement, frustration, and growing anger. The tension in the air is palpable as the woman's words, spoken aloud from the tightrope, carry through the circus tent. The acrobats and performers in the background watch the scene unfold with a mixture of bemusement and disbelief. Gladys, a dancer and scholar, had been invited to the circus to share her knowledge and expertise on the art of tightrope walking. However, her nerves got the best of her, and she found herself unable to perform the daring act herself. Instead, she chose to educate the audience about the history, technique, and intricacies of tightrope walking, much to their initial disappointment. Despite the initial grumblings and mutterings from the audience, Gladys's captivating words soon held their attention, and she managed to turn the situation into an engaging and informative experience. The image captures a moment of tension and anticipation, as the young woman bravely faces her fears and delivers a lecture that leaves the audience in awe. This photograph, with its rich details and evocative atmosphere, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the circus during the 1920s and the unexpected twists and turns that life can take. It is a testament to the power of knowledge, the human spirit, and the enduring allure of the circus.
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