Do You  Remember?

Atrani, gentleman juggler

By Hermann Sagemuller Nordlingen, E. Germany

There is not much known about Atrani, the pierrot-gentleman juggler, but I will tell what I know.

His real name was Reinhold Fischer, born in the German province of Saxony. My information about his performances covers the period from 1904 to 1911. During these years he worked in good theatres in Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, Uruguay and Argentina. In the First World War he was a soldier. Later, so I have heard, he had a job in the revenue office in Cologne. He died shortly after the Second World War at about 71 years old.

Let's take a look at his act. His restaurant act opened after the meal, with Atrani, the white­faced pierrot, asleep on a sofa. The waiter, his comic assistant, woke up the late guest. Atrani then executed with great dexterity some difficult juggling tricks with plates, bottles, cigar and top hat, gloves with walking stick and top hat, billiard cues, billiard balls and torches.

He juggled five balls in a shower and balanced a large desk on his forehead, letting it slide to its other side for another balance.

I am sure that he did much more interesting tricks, but time has faded his memory. Do you know more about Atrani? Let me hear from you so we can conserve the life and work of a great juggler!

Atrani, gentleman juggler

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