Anyone heard of the Gratschewis or the 4 Robbies?

Little Paul - 2012-07-30 21:42:15 UTC - Parent #

The computer my scanner is connected to is playing up at the moment, so I can't do you scans of the photos or owt, you'll have to make do with re-typed text and descriptions of the pictures...

P352: Juggling The Art and its artists says:
Gratchewi Trio (USSR) Graduated from the Moscow Circus School in 1951. Performed an excellent routine combining gymnastic elements on two masts with club passing, as well as club passing on the ground. Was the first troupe to perform nine and ten club passing between two persons. Also created many intricate patterns with twelve clubs between three persons.

Page 247 has an example of one of their posters, but it's an illustration rather than a photo and shows a 9 club, 3 person pattern with one juggler on the ground and two up on poles.

4000 Years, VolII P161 says:
In 1951 the National School for Circus and Estrade Arts brought out the original act of "Jugglers on the Mast" (under the management of N.E. Baumann) which was performed by the 3 Gratschewis. J. Akifejew, M. Tschernow and G. Gratschew. The juggling tricks demonstrated in conjunction with the gymnastic elements on the mast had never been seen before. These three artistes were the first to work with 12 clubs using the triple turn. They were also the first in juggling with 9 to 10 clubs in pairs immediately after juggling with 12 clubs. Suspended from the mast by a foot sling, two of the partners tossed 6 clubs to each other backwards over their heads, with the third performing on the slack rope, which was fitted between the masts.[1]

4000 Years, Vol II P176 has a photo of the pole/slackrope rig with them passing 6 clubs across the top with 3 on the slackrope as described. No photos of the 9/10 club passing.

I've had a reasonable look for "The 4 Robbies" - but without a description of what they were famous for doing I can't easily check thoroughly.

[1] The paragraph then runs on to say this, I think it's a different act (but still sounds awesome!)

W.Wladimirski demonstrates good footwork with clubs, while standing on a 3 feet (1m) high pole which is inserted into a hole in a small pedestal and having a platform at the upper end which is just large enough for two feet. Standing on this platform the artiste juggles with 5 clubs, catches one after the other on the instep of his foot and, taking each foot in turn, tossing it at the same time up into his hand again.

Yes folks, that's 5 club continuous kickups on a frickin pedestal.

The Void - 2012-07-30 22:09:48 UTC - Parent #

Maybe these guys are the Gratchewis?
http://juggling.tv/1550

Little Paul - 2012-07-30 22:18:49 UTC - Parent #

Possibly, the description seems to fit and at 1:15 looks like a 9 club, 2 person pattern (although if I pause it to count, there's a bloody big play button in the way ;)

Little Paul - 2012-07-31 09:30:52 UTC - Parent #

thanks Peter

Little Paul - 2012-07-31 21:38:05 UTC - Parent #

David Cain has confirmed that the video is of The Gratchewi Trio:

https://jugglejunction.org/newsreader.php?group=2&offset=0&thread=172772&article=266217&id=266231

He can't find anything about the 4 Robbies though.

peterbone - 2012-09-11 08:42:22 UTC - Parent #

Just found this any remembered this thread. The Four Robeys.

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/high-hoops

Little Paul - 2012-09-11 10:51:07 UTC - Parent #

*applauds* you star! Nice one peter

The Void - 2012-09-11 12:42:34 UTC - Parent #

Ah "ROBEYS", of course! Well done Peter.

But check out the first group trick, and what the guy on top of the middle stack is doing with his legs. Pure genius!