Max von Sydow named after a Flea

In a recent interview the actor Max von Sydow comments that he was named after a flea. The swedish actor appeared in Conan the Barbarian, perfored for Bergman in The Seventh Seal, won an oscar for Pelle the Conqueror and more recently appeared in Minority Report and Rush Hour 3.
Max was origionally named Carl Adolf after his grandparents but in the 1940s the name became less popular. During swedish national service he performed for his comrades in an imaginary flea circus. And the star of that circus was a flea called Max. Following this the colonel of regiment started calling him Max and the name stuck.

Flea Circus Pinup

Last week, Malcom Jephcott, one of the UK's premiere flea circus performers was interviewed for Chat Magazine. This unlikely pinup is fit as a flea and in the frame for a quick chat in this weekly "real-life read". Malcom shows his grand finale act, "The Flea Parade" to Chat and a hundred person strong audience before tells about his show and performing pedigree.

The travels of L. Bertolotto

Thanks to two other researchers I have found out two more places where L. Bertolotto performed with his Industrious Fleas.

On his tour of the UK Bertolotto stopped in Cheltenham, the 'Cheltenham Journal' for 15 Sept 1834 advertised the performance at "No. 22 Pittville Street, where his wonderful little menagerie will go through all the feats which have, for the last three years, astonished and delighted the lovers of curiosity in the Metropolis."

Further afield Bertolotto advertises his Industrious Fleas at "1 door north of the Marvin House, over the bookstore". This performance in Saratoga Springs, NY contained fleas mascarading as the Presidential candidates Buchanan, Fillmore and Fremont. This dates the performance to be around 1856.

Halloween Fleas in New York City

Amongst other events in New York there is a flea circus in Brooklyn Botanic Gardens this weekend, Saturday 28th October.

Phydeaux's Flying Flea Circus of Fate will be performing two shows at 12:30 and 3pm. There will be plenty of other events for budding entomologists such as composting with worms and feeding carnivorous plants.

Escapologist starts Flea Circus

Magician and Escapologist Steve Legg has started a flea circus for the UK.



His colourful and mysterious looking circus created by Walt Noon, contains fleas Barry and Brenda who perform a chariot race, walk a high-wire; blindfolded. They brave the high-dive and conclude with a "death-defying" finale.

Lets hope his flea's don't learn how he does his escapology!

For more details see: http://www.fleacircus.org.uk/

Sven Svenson and the Cigarbox Flea Circus

Those of you who have been following my flea circus research for some time may be aware of Sven Svenson who I interviewed a couple of years back.

Sven has decided to share his experience with circus building with the rest of the world and is now selling a very portable flea circus in a cigar box. This cigar box flea circus requires no batteries or external power so can be operated where ever you like. The acts include: high dive, flea cannon, tight rope, moving car, football and there are some other "novel moving parts" that you have to ask Sven about.

You can purchase his circus from the Sven Svenson Flea Circus website.

October 19th Belfast Flea Pit

As part of the Belfast Festival, The Flea Pit, is being presented by Cahoots NI in the Little Pavilion, Botanic Gardens. Running from Friday 19 October audiences can witness this incredible show in a unique purpose built theatre which holds just 15 people!

"Come and watch our international fleas, Lady Isobella Jumpin Ella, Ivan the Bulgarian Beastie and Mad Rad Rodricco, amaze people with their incredible feats of mind reading, weightlifting and incredible trapeze stunts! Then marvel at a museum of curiosities where your host will introduce a series of ever-revolving attractions and indeed reveal some of the secrets behind the flea circus. All accompanied by live music!"