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Asna Wiseman obituary Asna Wiseman obituary
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Not many entertainers are still treading the boards at 94 but my aunt Asna Wiseman was that age when she was invited back by popular demand by the Jewish Orthodox Women's Variety Show to perform in their annual showcase at Logan Hall, in London, in 2005. Asna, who has died aged 101, was the star turn and topped the bill.Not many entertainers are still treading the boards at 94 but my aunt Asna Wiseman was that age when she was invited back by popular demand by the Jewish Orthodox Women's Variety Show to perform in their annual showcase at Logan Hall, in London, in 2005. Asna, who has died aged 101, was the star turn and topped the bill.
She was born Asna Millie Swerdlow in Glasgow to Jewish immigrants, Alexander and Rene, and grew up in Falkner Street, Liverpool, with her five brothers, Harry, Leon, David, Matthew and Mitchell. In her early teens, Asna was a keen and talented dancer. She convinced her family that she should leave home to seek work as a professional dancer and singer; it was unusual in those days for a young girl to leave her family and the close-knit community.She was born Asna Millie Swerdlow in Glasgow to Jewish immigrants, Alexander and Rene, and grew up in Falkner Street, Liverpool, with her five brothers, Harry, Leon, David, Matthew and Mitchell. In her early teens, Asna was a keen and talented dancer. She convinced her family that she should leave home to seek work as a professional dancer and singer; it was unusual in those days for a young girl to leave her family and the close-knit community.
Asna took the stage name Anita Lowe and soon, with the nickname The Mighty Atom, became an accomplished speciality performer touring the UK music-hall circuit of the 1920s and 30s. She appeared in a film called Variety and toured abroad; audiences loved her novelty dance routines, in which she sang in dialects to suit her costume. She's a Lassie from Lancashire, for example, was accompanied by a clog dance. Performing with the Billy Cotton Band, one of her regular venues was Liverpool's Rialto Ballroom. On one of her tours, she fell in love with, and in 1936 married, Zus Wiseman, a violinist in a concert band.Asna took the stage name Anita Lowe and soon, with the nickname The Mighty Atom, became an accomplished speciality performer touring the UK music-hall circuit of the 1920s and 30s. She appeared in a film called Variety and toured abroad; audiences loved her novelty dance routines, in which she sang in dialects to suit her costume. She's a Lassie from Lancashire, for example, was accompanied by a clog dance. Performing with the Billy Cotton Band, one of her regular venues was Liverpool's Rialto Ballroom. On one of her tours, she fell in love with, and in 1936 married, Zus Wiseman, a violinist in a concert band.
They settled in London and raised three children, Geraldine, Lionel and Michael, who have always kept their Liverpool connections. Some of Asna's career memorabilia has been retained by the new Museum of Liverpool.They settled in London and raised three children, Geraldine, Lionel and Michael, who have always kept their Liverpool connections. Some of Asna's career memorabilia has been retained by the new Museum of Liverpool.
In her retirement, Asna attended Jewish Care's Sinclair House centre in Redbridge each week and, after her handicraft and art class, she needed little encouragement to get up by the piano to do one of her routines and lead a sing-song. In 2011, with her message from Buckingham Palace in hand and surrounded by her family, Asna celebrated her 100th birthday at the centre. Without any prompting or accompaniment, she sang – word and note perfect – You Make Me Feel So Young, before joining in the dancing.In her retirement, Asna attended Jewish Care's Sinclair House centre in Redbridge each week and, after her handicraft and art class, she needed little encouragement to get up by the piano to do one of her routines and lead a sing-song. In 2011, with her message from Buckingham Palace in hand and surrounded by her family, Asna celebrated her 100th birthday at the centre. Without any prompting or accompaniment, she sang – word and note perfect – You Make Me Feel So Young, before joining in the dancing.
Zus died in 1992. Asna is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Zus died in 1992. Asna is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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