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LOLA DOBRITCH
A fourth-generation circus performer, Lola Dobritch (1922-2008) was one of the great tight-wire artists of the mid-twentieth century, famous for crossing her wire on her toes like a ballerina—still a rare feat in her times—which, along with her natural grace and her use of a feather fan instead of an umbrella for balancing, won her to be advertised as “The Pavlova of the Silver Strand.”
She was born Vera Dobritch on October 14, 1922 in Sofia, Bulgaria, to Alexander and Anna Dobritch. Alexander belonged to an old circus family and ran his own circus in Bulgaria. “Lola”, as Vera would become known (she was often featured as "Miss Lola"), learned all traditional circus disciplines from her parents and took ballet classes in Sofia, before specializing as a wire dancer. She made her debut on the wire at age ten, in 1932, in the family circus.... (more...)
New Biographies
- Uuve Jansson, Aerialist
- Pieric, Clown, Equestrian
- Lola Dobritch, Tight Wire Dancer
- Sergei Ignatov, Juggler
- Tini Berman, Animal Trainer
New Videos
- Flying Rodleighs, Flying Trapeze (1991)
- Aniskin Troupe, Flying Trapeze (2013)
- Mstislav Zapashny, Elephants and Tigers Act (1994)
- Zapashny Brothers' Juggling Troupe (2013)
- Anastasia Makeeva, Aerial Loops (2014)
Featured Oral Histories
- Nikolai Pavlenko, tiger trainer - Interview (RIA Novosti, 2012)
- Alberto Zoppé, Equestrian - Interview (McCutcheon & Distasio, 2003)
- Olivier Taquin, Mime - Interview (Jando, 2008)
- Barry Lubin, Clown (Grandma) - Interview (Jando, 2008)
- Fumagalli, Clown - Interview (Jando, 2008)
A Message from the Editor
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. So keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- Dominique Jando
- Editor/Curator
