Juggling – or – How to Become a Juggler

Rupert Ingalese, born Paul Wingrave, was a British juggler who worked in the first half of the 1900s, both as a juggler and as a producer and manager of variety shows across England. Ingalese’s performances, as we know by searching through online newspaper databases, were very well received. The first review to appear of his work was printed on September 14th, 1920, in The Daily Mail: The variety programme at the Tivoli this week is of high standard. At the top of the bill is Rupert Ingalese and his flunkeys, supported by Miss Angela Grey (pianist). Rupert Ingalese proves himself a skillful juggler and performs with one hand whilst he plays the piano with the other. On May 31st, 1921, The Daily Telegraph called him “…a juggler of bewildering skill and finesse.” A few years later, on March 18th, 1924, The Citizen called Ingalese’s performance in a top-notch musical variety show “…one of the best things in the programme.”

Ingalese wasn’t the only remarkable act in the shows he produced. The Devon and Exeter Gazette offered the following remarks about his production A Show Superlative on July 29th, 1930:

“A Show Superlative, which opened to good houses at Exeter Hippodrome last night, claims to be the pioneer road show – but it would be a great mistake to suppose that it contains a single back number. It is a very successful effort to please everybody, for while one moment one is admiring equilibristic feats, the next moment brings the sheer loveliness of classical music – and then we are left laughing by some delicious fooling…….it is impossible to assign precedence to any turn when ability was expressed in such diverse ways. The Auklands gave some excellent concertina playing, but one of the most impressive moments in their turn was when the “house” sat hushed, listening to “Little Tweet,” their canary, singing as though his little throat would burst.Another small (but not quite so dimumitive) performer was Wee Teddy. This boy – he cannot be much more than twelve – kept the audience entertained by a sole turn to such effect that he had to decline an encore, pointing out that he was to reappear later in the programme. Two things contributed to the popularity of Grifi the clown. He blew bubbles of such elasticity and strength that considerable liberties could be taken with them. And he offered to give a free morning or afternoon performance to any hospital or institution in Exeter. It is to be hoped that this generous offer will be accepted.The famous Russian Bayan Singers do not speak English, but gave delight through the universal language of good music. Their renderings included the “Barcarole” from “Tales of Hofmann,” a marvellous vocal blend. Warroner seemed undecided whether to let comedy or his skill as a violinist predominate. He was a whimsical soul, but his technique, both in staccato and harmonics, was faultless……Rupert Ingalese, assisted with his gorgeously apparelled flunkeys, juggled with much of the contents of a drawing room, adding the manipulation of flaming torches to his finale.Cyril Johnson rode a bicycle forwards, backwards, and at remarkable angles, at one time carrying his several accomplished lady assistants as a crew. Enough has been said to indicate the ingredients of an evening’s good entertainment.”

Ingalese’s career continued into the late 1930s – he continued to both produce shows and perform a staple act. His hometown paper, the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette published the following report of his tricks on October 19, 1937