"Original Allisons"
It would be a huge website if I would mention everything in the chronicle of the „OriginalAllisons“ (members, engagements, facts). So I will restrict myself to the mere essence, but for more detailed information I am at your friendly disposal.
The Allisons were founded 1887 by Otto Eimer (my grandmother's uncle, so that makes him my great-great uncle). He was born on July 12 th, 1868 in Berlin. He started as an apprentice in the „Reinhold-Troup“,
which he left in the beginning of 1886. With his colleagues Adolf
Barowski and Hermann Busch he wanted to be independent and formed an own troup. First they named themselves „Remies“ (Eimer read backwards), buteven in the old days, like nowadays, a foreign name would sell better. So each of them wrote a name on a piece of paper and threw the ticket in a hat. My great-great uncle had just read a cowboy novel and the heros name was „Allison“. He liked it and so he wrote it on his ticket – it was drawn!
At this time also came his brother Max into the troup. The latter brought his daughter, Erna, too.
In these years one could not refer to any experience in the acrobatic/
gymnastic skills as today. So they had to work out nearly everything by themselves, think about new tricks and try them out.
And how they've done it!
In the meantime the troup consisted of 9 persons. They were specialized in risley work (footjuggling with persons) and tumbling. Uncle Otto was the first one ever to perform „LivingTrinkas“ (instead of a trinka a person replaced it, carrying the underman)!
Also during the Thirties we had a member who was one of the only 3 tumblers worldwide who did perform a rondat-flipflap-double-
somersault! On 8m carpet, no matter if stage or circus round!
I do not know whence uncle Otto got his sense for health, but he layed foundations for correct and healthprotecting bearings for tumbling, which are valid up until today. And furthermore he paid attention on a good, reasonable warm-up. This has always proved true and I obey it still today. A professor of sport science has verified in 1999 a good, properwarm-up – it was exactly what uncle Otto had introduced!
It was quite common in these days to work with children (from age 4 years on). This never happened in our troup, there was never an apprentice on stage unless he was14 years old! In consequence a best part of the troup remained together for 25-30 years. Fact is, when you
start too early with strong, physical work, you are finished with
25/30 years. But as an acrobat you want to work longer, it is our profession.
During WorldWar 1st the troup was torn apart but shortly after they gathered together and worked under the name „Remies“ until they had again the quality for which the name „Allisons“ already guaranteed.
My grandfather, Albert Gericke, was since 1912 in the troup and
uncle Otto's niece Marta since 1915. The both of them married and my grandfather became the leader of the troup (and the right of the name). This went later on to my father and then to me. By the way, the „Original“ in front of the name is just a recommendation from the court, because some colleagues tried to take on our name (they lost all legal
proceedings).
In WorldWar 2nd it was worse, some members didn't survive and to start anew proved difficult. Nearly all theatres, varieties, and circusses were destroyed. Furthermore was there a ban on German artists working abroad. Finally the troup had again 5 members. My father married
1952 a „private person“, Friedel, my future mother. She practised very hard to become a member of the troup. 1962 my grandfather died and eventually my grandmother retired from the stage. My parents continued working, picking up one apprentice. He stopped working 1965 and so they were in two. I started in 1971, my former wife in 1981. Gina, my daughter,was born in 1984. We worked in four until 1987, then my wife and I were alone. My grandmother died in 1989, my father 1994, and 1995 came the divorce from my wife. Gina wanted to stay with me, so I
started working alone (tumbling and juggling in one act!). Well, Gina started showing interest in the work, that meant a lot practising after schooltime. Since 1999 we were a duo - continuing the tradition – with tumbling and risley work!
„Original Allisons“ - an act like no other one! Starting with pleasing costumes and the matching music over to a stage presentation, i.e. showmanship, which is very rare nowadays. You experienced a smooth act, with tempo and no intermissions. Acrobatics in many variations
(single and in two), tumbling, and then followed by antipoden to consent you for the main work, risley. There were not the common things you would usually see, but in 3 routines a summary of what is possible with risley work! I'd like to emphasize that not one trick appeared twice,
they were all different!
When we worked cabarets, you had often 2 shows – but for the same audience (sometimes 2 people). To avoid performing twice the hard work, we worked out a second act:
„The Ruzzels“ - a juggling act with a special touch! Built up on swing music, elegant costumes, and the hope, nothing drops down. A routine with 3 balls, then 3 cigar-boxes, and finally constructing a line of 30 (!) cigar-boxes between us two, putting them down, picking them up again and remove them piece by piece.
No technical trick, just – practise!
My daughter had a juggling act of her own:
„Gina Allison“ - the juggling scarwoman! On the stage was a table with juggling props, a chair, and a pair of shoes (like in a dressingroom). The scarwoman appears and starts dusting off. Curiously she grabs some balls and tries to juggle. Eventually she succeeds, then she transforms into a juggler, performing 3 clubs. At last the main work with 3 cigar-boxes. Finally the re-transformation into the scarwoman! Underlined by matching music and presented with a twinkle in her (your) eyes.
Even if the above mentioned acts are at present not available, just me
- Ralph Allison - , it doesn't mean that an over 125 year tradition is antique. One goes with the time, but it is not necessary to pick up every fashion!
Interpreting quite frankly the German poet Arthur Schopenhauer:
„Sometimes the audience is so simple enjoying the new instead of the good things!“
But our motto is best described with a saying from uncle Otto:
„Despite adverse powers all around,
use your application and mind profound.
Then you can arrange things nice, and new, too.
And what you've attained preserve forever true!“