Kelly & Ashby
comic acrobats / 1880s-1900s
Paragon Music Hall; Mile End Road, London
"Kelly and Ashby belong to the type of 'knockabout comedians.' They are clever fellows in their rough and tumble way;
their efforts woke a great volume of hearty laughter, and were evidently of the kind dear to onlookers. It was hard
labour to go through such a deal of exercise on a hot August night, but Kelly and Ashby worked with a will, and
well earned their salary, whatever it may be."
Kelly & AShby: The World's Entertainers
Blenheim theatre goers have a treat in store for them at Ewart's Hall tonight at the first appearance of Kelly and Ashby,
the bounding billiardists, and their company of vaudeville stars. The arrangements made by Mr. J.C. Williamson to introduce
Messrs Kelly and Ashby in his performance 'Alice In Wonderland' at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, was one of the well-known
manager's highest salaried contracts, and to use the expression of the Sydney Bulletin, 'Their marvellous billiard table
act held up the pantomime.'
The London Era when speaking of Kelly and Ashby's act says, 'On a discussion of programme the palm of place must certainly
be awarded to the comedy act contributed by Kelly and Ashby. No finer vaudeville turn has ever been witnessed in London,
and the judicious blend of humor with a wonderful acrobatic display won them overtures. The scene is set out as a
billiard saloon, and having thoughly convulsed the audience with laughter by their whimsical eccentricities, though not
a word is spoken, Kelly and Ashby betake themselves to the billiard table with a spring top, on which they show some marvelous acrobatic work. The double and triple somersauting of Mr. Kelly is exceptionally neat, and the final display
by Mr. Ashby, who throws himself over in the air forty times, warms the audience to a great state of excitement and
admiration. As a dumb act it is the best we have ever seen and a decided hit.'
Variety 1907 (pg.3)
Kelly and Ashby ore coming back (from touring Europe) in May.
Tony Pastor's 14th Street Theatre (1889)