La Toria! I just feel it is a cool stage name and should be pronounced while using 'jazz hands'! La Toria! Ok, her actual name is Vicki Unus and she was born in 1945. After stumbling upon her fabulously chic photos at the Robert L. Parkinson Library, I just had to research her for my blog. So I hope you enjoy.
Did you assume she was from a circus family? Well, you would be correct. Vicki's father, Franz Furtner, performed as Unus: the man who balanced on one finger. Vicki's high school in Sarasota FL had a circus act training program. How great! Hard work paid off as she joined Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1963. As a featured performer no less.
Known for commanding the ring for her aerial acts, she killed it on the Roman Rings and her one-armed planges were... well, you will see later. Back to the Roman Rings. Her form! Aerial splits. Hand stands. Think Olympic gymnists are good on the rings? Just imagine performing with such strength, endurance and precision in a show that could run twice a day and three times on the weekend. Not to mention 40 feet in the air. And look stunningly gorgeous while doing it. I say, better than an Olympian.
With feathers and sparkle, La Toria commanded the ring. Never moreso than when performing a feat made famous by the incomparable Lillian Leitzel. The one arm plange (cue music dum dum dum).
Huge looping one arm swings. Flipping her body over her head in a continuous rotation. Dislocating her shoulder and popping it back in with each rotation. All while the ringmaster / audience counted the flips. Rumor has it, Vicki's record was 250 in one performance. OH. MY. GOD.
Swan Lake
In the video below, watch her entrance and how she ascends the rope. Wowsa. And then how she begins the one-armed planges. Two swings for momentum and then she is off! And the finish! Everything part of her act is circus perfection.
La Toria was a featured performer for Ringling in the 1960s and 1970s. Also performing in circuses in Germany and Spain. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, To Tell the Truth and the movie Circus World. Vicki retired in 1977. To a well well well deserved standing ovation. Let's give it up for the incredible La Toria! Thank you.
