The Great Farini

Shane Peacock
Biographer, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, Screenwriter
Author of The Great Farini - The High-Wire Life of William Hunt

The Lives of Farini-Hunt - The Farini Brothers

After he left Hope Township, Farini started planning his next act. He decided that he would add other “feats” to his new act. Here’s how Shane Peacock tells it … “His new act was everything its huge title suggested: a series of stationary and moving high-wire and gymnastic feats. It wouldn’t be a simple thrill act as in earlier days, but an exhibition of the skills of a scientifically trained acrobat in a whole range of serious athletic endeavours. As well as being good theatre, it addressed his need to show off his intelligence and appear more respectable.” His journey now took him to New York. Farini’s act was ready and he was now a “marquee act” at the newly built Hippotheatron. The new act was called “The Farini Brothers”! The Hippotheatron had been build as the first permanent structure in the United States solely for the circus. A perfect venue for Farini and his “Brothers”. Shane explains the “Brothers” … “As for the Farini Brothers, there were apparently three of them: the Signor, “the Hero of Niagara, in his New Acts—the Marvelous Bars in the Air, the Goliath Swing, Giant Leap, and Novel Wire-Funabulism”; Carlo Farini, “the Herculean Gymnast and Great Indian Club Swinger, using clubs weighing 50 lbs. each”; and Enrico Farini, “the Athlete of the Arena, in Novel Acts of Strength and Grace.” Carlo and Enrico also performed something called the “Wild Cossack Athletes.” Exactly who these “brothers” were is difficult to know. This was one of very few performances. The mischievous Farini loved deception and it is possible that two of the siblings were none other than the Signor himself”.

NOTE: Mr. Peacock has written several books. His latest series is about "The Boy Sherlock Holmes" This is a wonderful look at the legendary Sherlock Holmes, in the beginning! To learn more about Shane and all of his works, please visit his website at www.shanepeacock.ca.

(To Be Continued)