This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/02/lydia-gridneff-obituary

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lydia Gridneff obituary Lydia Gridneff obituary
(17 days later)
My mother, Lydia Gridneff, who has died aged 96, was born into a circus family. Her father, Aaron Gherman, had a musical clown act with which his wife, Olga, and their children – Michael, Ralph, Sonia, Rosa and Lydia, the youngest – became involved. A few weeks after Lydia's birth, the family left Moscow for a circus engagement in Manchuria. They never returned to Russia as a family, travelling instead to China, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Malaysia, India and the Philippines, performing with numerous circuses around the world. In Japan, in the early 1920s, the emperor came to see their show and was so impressed that he invited the family to tea.My mother, Lydia Gridneff, who has died aged 96, was born into a circus family. Her father, Aaron Gherman, had a musical clown act with which his wife, Olga, and their children – Michael, Ralph, Sonia, Rosa and Lydia, the youngest – became involved. A few weeks after Lydia's birth, the family left Moscow for a circus engagement in Manchuria. They never returned to Russia as a family, travelling instead to China, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Malaysia, India and the Philippines, performing with numerous circuses around the world. In Japan, in the early 1920s, the emperor came to see their show and was so impressed that he invited the family to tea.
It was in India in 1934 that they became British subjects and were advised to change their name to Herman for ease. After working in Europe they arrived in 1935 in England, where they remained throughout the second world war, performing in variety and circus, finally settling in London.It was in India in 1934 that they became British subjects and were advised to change their name to Herman for ease. After working in Europe they arrived in 1935 in England, where they remained throughout the second world war, performing in variety and circus, finally settling in London.
Over the years the Hermans worked with another circus family, "the Amazing Gridneffs", comprising acrobats, trapeze artists and an unsupported ladder balancing act. The Gridneffs got their British nationalisation while working in South Africa. Lydia first met George Gridneff when she was eight and he was 11. After her sister Rosa had married George's brother Misha, Lydia married George in Hammersmith in 1945. I was born the following year.Over the years the Hermans worked with another circus family, "the Amazing Gridneffs", comprising acrobats, trapeze artists and an unsupported ladder balancing act. The Gridneffs got their British nationalisation while working in South Africa. Lydia first met George Gridneff when she was eight and he was 11. After her sister Rosa had married George's brother Misha, Lydia married George in Hammersmith in 1945. I was born the following year.
Lydia and George formed their own show and performed in variety, circuses, working men's clubs and cabaret. As well as their main ladder act, they did trampoline, and at one point worked with a chimpanzee act, touring Europe in 1955. In 1958, they were invited to appear on the Ed Sullivan TV show in America – one of the highlights of their career.Lydia and George formed their own show and performed in variety, circuses, working men's clubs and cabaret. As well as their main ladder act, they did trampoline, and at one point worked with a chimpanzee act, touring Europe in 1955. In 1958, they were invited to appear on the Ed Sullivan TV show in America – one of the highlights of their career.
When variety died in the early 60s they decided to retire from show business. Lydia worked first as a manager in a sweetshop in Shepherd's Bush, and then progressed to working in the accounts departments of several offices before retiring at the age of 65.When variety died in the early 60s they decided to retire from show business. Lydia worked first as a manager in a sweetshop in Shepherd's Bush, and then progressed to working in the accounts departments of several offices before retiring at the age of 65.
George died in 1985. Lydia lived alone in their house in Hanger Lane, west London, until 2000, when she moved to a flat in Harrow. In 2012 she moved to a residential care home in Canterbury, where she was very happy.George died in 1985. Lydia lived alone in their house in Hanger Lane, west London, until 2000, when she moved to a flat in Harrow. In 2012 she moved to a residential care home in Canterbury, where she was very happy.
She is survived by me and her brother Ralph.She is survived by me and her brother Ralph.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.