ACROBATS ILLNESS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28259, 23 April 1957, Page 10

ACROBATS ILLNESS

Father’s Ordeal On High Pole (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 22. Thousands of visitors to the Auckland Easter Show watched with bated breath today as Gustav Morell, a 57-year-old German acrobat, swayed dizzily at the top of a slender 52ft pole. Morell, hesitant and cautious, but gaining confidence with each minute, was risking his neck in the best tradition of show business. He was substituting for his 21-year-old daughter, Elfie, who lay ill in a caravan on the far side of the fair ground. Slightly built, his hair turned, grey, Mr Morell had retired and’ had not performed on the high pole for four years. Mr R. A. Nicholas, joint president of the show committee, feared for the German’s safety and asked him to dispense with the more difficult balancing feats; but Mr Morell just smiled. With his fellow committeemen, Mr Nicholas saw the start of the act, but the suspense was too great. He turned away. “It’s a wonderful act,” he said, “but I can’t watch.” He returned to congratulate Mr Morell at the end of the act.

Miss Morell and her father will go down in Easter Show history as two of the pluckiest performers seen.-

Miss Morell became ill on Wednesday. On Saturday, after she had performed her att in the morning, she had to receive medical aid. Dr. B. Golden; who treated her, learned that she had not eaten for three days. In of her weakness she had continued to perform acrobatics at the top of a 52ft pole. The show committee, immediately it learned of Miss Morell’s ilness, sent her to bed and cancelled the high-pole performances set down for Saturday afternoon and night. Mr Morell, the old trouper, decided otherwise. The act. would go on until the show closed. As an appreciation, Mr Nicholas has promised to give each of the Morells an Easter Show award ribbon as a souvenir. On the ribbons will be the word “Champion.”