Juggler Wilfrid Dubois arrived in Australia in July 1916 and spent almost a year performing on the Fuller circuit in Australia and New Zealand.
Wilfrid was born in Quebec Canada in January 1892. Later that year, his father Joseph moved to New Hampshire in the United States taking Wilfrid with him. The family remained in New Hampshire and Dubois senior became a US citizen in 1898.
Wilfrid was employed sporadically before coming to Australia. He was not a household name in American vaudeville, so a long tour to Australia was a guarantee of steady employment. In 1916 when he applied for his passport, he was a slightly built, 24 year old, with brown hair and brown eyes, looking for adventure and opportunity.
Dubois travelled to Australia via the Sierra from San Francisco in June 1916. By July he was appearing in a Red Cross benefit for the war effort in Brisbane Queensland, it was a long way from the bustling cities of America.
After touring Queensland, Dubois headed to New Zealand, where he was applauded for the novelty of his tricks which included juggling tennis racquets, clubs, wine glasses, hats and billiard balls.
From New Zealand Dubois headed to Sydney’s National Amphitheatre. He sauntered casually on stage dressed in flannels, an eyeglass and a straw hat, carrying a suitcase and a tennis racquet and proceeded to juggle the hat, tennis racquet and a ball. His casual demeanour defined the act. He not only used his hands, but his feet and head to manipulate the props and his dexterity and novelty were noted by the press. One of the highlights of his turn was a difficult balancing trick. He balanced an orange perched on a rod on his forehead, at the same time he twirled a triangle with a glass of liquid balanced on a cane in his right hand whilst juggling two oranges in his left. It was an amazing and unique feat which was much appreciated by audiences.
Dubois was a small man but he had a pleasing personality and a comedic air which struck a chord with audiences. Notably he was mostly billed as either French or French Canadian, possibly to avoid confrontation about America’s non participation in the war. His performances were very well reviewed in both Australia and New Zealand during the tour.
He visited Adelaide, Melbourne, and finally arrived in Fremantle in May 1917, where he got involved in an escapade which illustrated his youth and adventurous spirit.
Dubois, with other theatricals, including juggler Uno Togo, were arrested for cruelty to animals after an ill-fated riding expedition. The performers, none of whom had much riding experience, hired some horses for a jaunt. The horses, according to the actors, ran out of control, resulting in a disturbance where six horses were wildly racing down the main street of town. When returned to the stables, one animal was limping.
In the subsequent court case, Dubois and his friends denied racing the beasts. They also denied charges of cruelty. The magistrate believed them, holding that the problem was the rider’s inexperience and that no malice was intended.
With this last adventure, Dubois headed home to the United States. He continued his career and became well known in juggling circles. Dubois married 19 year old Joyce Smith in 1920 and continued living in New Hampshire. He passed away in 1972.