Believe it, it's true!

 

The scene was China in 1927. An American newspaperman, covering the Chinese Revolution, was captured by bandits and held for ransom.

 

The deal moved slowly. The bandits became impatient and threatened the correspondent with death. Suddenly the victim recalled that during his school days he had often put on a juggling act. Picking up some rubbIe from the ground, he astonished the brigands with his clever juggling feats.

 

They were so fascinated and pleased that they permitted him to go free. The ingenious newsman returned to America to become the dean of the news commentators. His name is Hans Von Kaltenbom.

 

From No.4, Jan. 1945 Coronet p. 13 "Juggling with Fate" by Irving Johnson

Robertson wins Parisian prize

By Lloyd Timberlake Stockholm, Sweden

 

Mark Robertson, 18-year-old English juggler and yo-yo champ, took first prize for solo acts in the French Gala Circus Show for young Circus Stars in Paris in December. The show, held in Le Cirque Demain, is considered the front door to opportunity for talented young performers in Eur­ope. Mark was nominated to appear in the show by Don Stacey, a British authority in circus and specialty acts.

 

While in Paris, Mark met and practised with Sergei Ignatov for two days while the Russian appeared in Paris with the State Circus.

 

It was not until January that IJAer Mark turned 18 and of age to perform in nightclubs across Europe.

To celebrate his birthday, he began a month at the Chez Paul Club in Brussels, Belgium. This appearance was set up for him by Dick Franco, who Mark says has given him a lot of tips about hustling dates, costuming and turning juggling ability into a juggling act.

 

In the meantime, Mark, who quit school last Christmas to turn professional, contented himself with shows all over Britain, including several TV spots and a TV ad which he says is "giving me lots of money."

 

Mark tried to start juggling four years ago when he saw Swiss balls/hats/boxes maestro Kris Kremo in an appearance on the Royal Command show.

 

But he couldn't figure out the pattern and was about to give up. But, IJAer and TV stuntman Stuart Fell showed him the cascade and that was enough.

 

Two years later, Mark topped thousands of competitors to attain the finals of a nationwide talent contest and appear at the London Palladium --- where he had seen Kremo in the first place!

 

In 1979, Mark and his father, a European yo-yo champion, travelled to Amhurst for the IJA convention. Now he is working on five clubs, does back­crosses and under-the-Iegs with four, color changes with five rings, cigar boxes, devil sticks, a lot of fast arm bounces with three balls and, of course, yo­yos. Not bad for someone who is barely legal!