Fiddlefaddle -- or something more?

 

We’re still at auditions for Fern Andra’s circus, and there’s still so much to explore beneath those fronds.  Some circus aficionados have the coordination and nerve to imagine themselves as skilled high-flyers.  Others (like me) just love the history and the lore – the energy, the patterns, the drama of skilled bodies in motion, and the centuries of evolution in the arts.  And if my group might be daunted even by the game of “Wordle”, some of us never miss a chance to check a word’s etymology.

 

For instance, we can learn that the word “fern” is associated with words suggesting delicacy like feather, leaf, wing. 

 

In fact,  

"The plant's ability to appear as if from nothing accounts for the ancient belief that fern seeds conferred invisibility (1590s)."

 ..as shown here:

 

Who would imagine that from such modest starts would come a whole tradition, in many parts of the world, of gathering fiddleheads – the still-curled frond – for delectable spring-time eating?

 

Despite appearances, there’s nothing wispy about the dynamo performer, director, producer Fern Andra who this series celebrates as she conducts auditions for some hot new talent for her latest tour.

 

As I delved for historic images of both Fern and circus, I happened on this gorgeous late 19^th century painting “Acrobat with Violin” by Italian artist Antonio Mancini. 

 

Well!  Couldn’t we say that’s a fiddle he’s holding?  And there’s a very long tradition of stringed instruments associated with the circus.  Chagall and his “Green Violin” come readily to mind.

 

Then, as my mind whirred off into fantastic territory, my search produced a photo of an older…dare I say stodgier?...Fern.

 

In this profile pose, she evoked my long-time infatuation with what might be one of the most beautiful “fiddles” ever – the viola da gamba. (short form:  “viol”)

 

Take a quick glean here to see a lovely collection of the fabulous carved heads that distinguish these cello-cousins.

 

My wheels were turning – Fern, fiddles, fiddlesticks, fiddleheads…  I knew it was meant to be when I found a schematic drawing of a viol…

 

..that recalled the engraving of the famous challenging acrobatic maneuver.

 

All right.  We’re under way with some small sketches and the first underlayer.

 

I had thought an undercoat of iridescent copper would lend some pizzazz, but it just dulled the colours added on top.

‘

But I pressed on, resolving to splash brightly as best I could.  Here’s the final outcome:  “Fiddlesticks and Fiddleheads” (copyright 2026, Audition Series).   (Professional  musicians, please don’t scrutinize the placements of strings and fingers).

 

Yes, it’s another example of how I can get carried away.  Someday I think I should do a series based on the concept that’s a keyword for many great artists:  Simplicity.  That would be a real stretch.

 

 

The roar of the greasepaint

 

Admit it: You’re not surprised that I haven’t yet shaken off the dust of the circus ring.  And last week, as I closed up for the night, I suddenly thought: “I know -- the title for my next post!  ‘The Roar of the Greasepaint’” !!   On waking the next morning, I almost immediately thought, “Wait.  That can’t be right – it makes no sense at all.”  But in another world, the expression was exactly right and, what the heck, it’s still the title for this post.

 

And I’m still taken with the greasepaint and the crowds.  You can blame this guy for my continuing impulse to run away with the circus:

 

He’s Duncan Wall whose book enchanted me in the last months of 2025.

 

This led me in January to splurge on a performance by a visiting Hungarian troupe (certified as Hungarian by my Budapest friend Y).

 

Frankly, I was disappointed that there was less of the traditional circus acrobatics, tightrope walking, and derring-do – and more of what these days is called “cirque-danse”.   But my enthusiasm was undaunted.

 

I’d shared the run-up with old school friend JP and – here’s where things get really exciting!  She has been for years an ardent family genealogist and has traced her own family up, down, sideways, across countries and continents.  And she has a family link with the stunning Fern Andra, an early 20^th century performer, actress, manager, producer – oh, so many roles she played.

 

Like so many women in so many fields, she’s been lost in history but – wow!  She was amazing.  For more gorgeous photos and details of her long career, scroll down in this link – a fascinating site in itself, dedicated to film personalities.

 

So how can I go wrong if I hitch my clown wagon to Fern’s star?

 

Right here, on these pages, Fern is going to bail me out with her own circus (yes, of my imagination).  I’m sure that behind that beautiful face and those dark eyes, there’s a hard-driving perfectionist – so first she’ll need to hold auditions. 

 

Here’s a preliminary stage:

Now on to the finale – “She Makes It Look Easy (Audition Series)” copyright 2026.

 

I’m trusting that JP will see this as a kind of tribute to her accomplished relative and also – through the magic of the DNA they share? – a tribute to the younger generation of her family -- bright, creative kids with all kinds of tricks up their sleeves, just like Fern.  

 

Oh, I think the announcer is letting us know that there will be more performances in this series.  See you next time.