John Young Kraton 1917
John Young Kraton
Born 1 July 1884 in Lynchburg VA
Vaudeville/ Music Hall Performer who lived and performed in Europe for many years. His travel documents state that he resided in England for most of the years between 1908 and his death in Paris in 1933.
His theatrical troupe, called “The Kratons” were a renowned juggling act, specifically the variety called a hoop act. In 1917, he was performing with the married couple Clarence and Leonora Johnson. There are indications that earlier versions of the act included his brother Harry, and sister-in-law, Ethelyn Kraton. Kraton was associated with the performer and promoter Henry Make Johnson.
“Of all the great hoop acts, one stands out. The Kratons, popular in 1908, set their stage as a small town with stores, churches, factory, saloon, school and other buildings. The hoops showed individual personalities of people in the town.Singly, in pairs or in groups, the hoop people would roll out of a store and into a house, or leave home for church or the factory. One hoop came out of the saloon, staggered around, and landed happily against a lamppost, friend of all drunkards. When the school bell rang, a passel of kids rushed out the door in every direction. When the factory whistle blew, the worker hoops headed for home, some making detours to the saloon.Hoop couples danced. A girlish hoop dropped a hanky and a courting hoop, with the aid of a pin embedded in the rim, raced along to pick it up and follow her behind some stage scenery. At the finale, the lights dimmed, the church bell rang, and families streamed into the church where a hymn was sung and the curtains lowered.Until that moment there hadn't been a single person on stage. Only then did the Kratons appear for their final bows.”
www.juggling.org/jw/87/2/hoops.html
John Young Kraton died in Paris on 27 Dec 1933 of tuberculosis. At the time he was employed as a bootblack at the Rue de Scribe offices of American Express. His few possessions and clothing were disposed of for the payment of his bills.
John Young Kraton 1917
John Young Kraton
Born 1 July 1884 in Lynchburg VA
Vaudeville/ Music Hall Performer who lived and performed in Europe for many years. His travel documents state that he resided in England for most of the years between 1908 and his death in Paris in 1933.
His theatrical troupe, called “The Kratons” were a renowned juggling act, specifically the variety called a hoop act. In 1917, he was performing with the married couple Clarence and Leonora Johnson. There are indications that earlier versions of the act included his brother Harry, and sister-in-law, Ethelyn Kraton. Kraton was associated with the performer and promoter Henry Make Johnson.
“Of all the great hoop acts, one stands out. The Kratons, popular in 1908, set their stage as a small town with stores, churches, factory, saloon, school and other buildings. The hoops showed individual personalities of people in the town.Singly, in pairs or in groups, the hoop people would roll out of a store and into a house, or leave home for church or the factory. One hoop came out of the saloon, staggered around, and landed happily against a lamppost, friend of all drunkards. When the school bell rang, a passel of kids rushed out the door in every direction. When the factory whistle blew, the worker hoops headed for home, some making detours to the saloon.Hoop couples danced. A girlish hoop dropped a hanky and a courting hoop, with the aid of a pin embedded in the rim, raced along to pick it up and follow her behind some stage scenery. At the finale, the lights dimmed, the church bell rang, and families streamed into the church where a hymn was sung and the curtains lowered.Until that moment there hadn't been a single person on stage. Only then did the Kratons appear for their final bows.”
www.juggling.org/jw/87/2/hoops.html
John Young Kraton died in Paris on 27 Dec 1933 of tuberculosis. At the time he was employed as a bootblack at the Rue de Scribe offices of American Express. His few possessions and clothing were disposed of for the payment of his bills.