Brief description
The Weatherly sisters, Gagga and Toots, worked in circus, vaudeville, film and television as clowns, contortionists, mimics, dancers, singers, songwriters and musicians across Australia and internationally from 1910 until the 1980s. This archive contains material relating to the Weatherly Sisters as well as their family and circuses to which they belonged.Notes
A selection of material is available on the Powerhouse Museum Website. A printed guide is available at the Museum (98/29/1)Significance
The Weatherly sisters began performing on stage at the age of two and continued to work as entertainers well into their 70s. They were fifth generation show people. The Weatherly family performed with circuses throughout the Indian sub-continent, the Far East, Australasia, and southern Africa. From 1920 they were based in Australia and focussed on vaudeville, travelling widely as itinerant performers. This archive includes material relating to Newsome's Circus, Frederick's Circus, Harmston's Circus, and the Weatherly sisters and family. There is also a family history and family tree. Highlights include Wirth's Circus poster featuring the Weatherly sisters billed above the famous equestrian May Wirth; photos of 19th century contortion and acrobatic acts; late 19th century circus programs; and silk programs (one of which, for Harmston's Circus, lists the Jandaschewsky French clowns as performers)Data time period: 1880 to 1990
Spatial Coverage And Location
text: India; South East Asia; South Africa; Australia
Subjects
Archives |
Circus life |
Circuses |
Entertainment |
Gaga Weatherly |
Medallions |
Photographs |
Programs |
The Weatherly Sisters |
Toots Weatherly |
Vaudeville |
posters |
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