New Britain herald., 1922-02-03

III the GUY OI NeW BFltdln WHO kHOW that a manager of one of the local theaters was at one time a member of one of the greatest acrobatic troupes known to the American amusement world.
 B. c. Salvini, manager of the Lyceum theater, is the man in ques- tion. Although MT. Salvini Is 41 years of age, he still shows his strength and can still show ability as a ancrobat If 1t were not for the fact that he lost his right arm in an accident he would be on the stage or in the sawdust ring at the present time, he says.
 In speaking of physical ability, MT. Salvini says that he has no sympathy for the man or woman who complains of his or her health if the person has not taken care of themselves during their early years Mir. Salvini is a great believer in clean living and he says that it is for this reason only that he, and other members of his family, were able to follow their chosen profession so many years.
 When asked as to what he thought of the work of the local dental clinic, MT. Savini 'Iaid that he was highly in favor of it and explained why the people should take great care of their teeth. AS stated by the theater man. ager. in the days of his childhood the care and attention was not given to teeth as it is at the present time.
 Both his father and mother were stage people and realizing the value of perfect health and teeth he was taught at an early age to care for himself and his health. Outdoor exercise is one of the greatest health producers in the world, according to the theater manager. The outdoor exercise builds up the muscles and when combined with clean habits of living makes a man feel as though he had the strength of an OK, he added.
 Starts In Australia
 Mir. Salvini was born in Narseilles, France, of French percentage, and lat CT moved to Australia where he began his extensive training for the aero batic work, which later made him famous. His father, whose name was Zephir Dessmaris, was an old circus performer, while his mother Julia Danacour, was an opera singer.
 Learns in Sandbank
 While he lived in Melbourne, Aus tralia, Mr. Salvini, with many or the other children in the neighborhood' as well as his brother, used to go to nearby sand banks and perform oth- l2tic stunts in the sand, always trying f0 initiate some performers they had seen in a few of the one-ring circuses which were in vogue at that timc
 It was while the boys were per forming some of their regular stunts in the sand that Salvini, the master circus performer of those days hap pened along and watched them. Talk ing a particular interest in the work of the two brothers, he asked them if they were desirous of following the circus profession The boys did not make an answer, but referred them to their father who, after consulting with the great Salvini, decided to form a trohpe which later became known as the "Salvini Troupe.
 First Performances
 The local theater man, his brother and father were members of the troupe, which consisted of 12 people. The first performances were gwen with the circus in which the great Salvini was interested. rhs circus later broke up but the Salvini troupe continued on the road and kept the same name. After playing dates in Australia for few years, the troupe went to London and was successful Tn being engaged in circuses and several years later in theater productions
 First To Do Trick
 When the local theater man went to London he decided to take tEe name of Salvni by which he hat be come famous. instead Of retaining his own name It was while in Lon don at the Tivoi theater, that MT. Salvini first accomplished the feat of doing a double somersault from a leaping board. This was done in 1900 and at matinee and was the very first time any acrobat had done it. At the evening performance. MT. Salvini was hurt in making the trick and it was not done again success | fully until he came to New York about year later. In 1901 he per formed the trick at the Madison Square Garden
 All this time, Mir. Salvini was m member of the Salvini troupe of ecro- bats Following the engagement at the Madison Square Garden in New York, MT. Salvini with the troupe joined the Walter Maine show and for several seasons toured the greater part of the United States. He remem- bers having played in Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury. but does not recall having played a circus date in New Britain
 Troupe Breaks Up
 Following this circus engagement, the father of the local man left the troupe as did several other members until there were only the two Sal vini brothers in the organization. The two boys travelled around the country with 1ircuses and in vaudeville for a few years.
 Loses Hand Tn Wreck While making tour from Cripple Creek Colorado to Salt Lake JCity inI