Article No 12 (1951)
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THE LION AND TOMMY
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8 - 13 January 1951 ROYAL SOUTH AFRICAN CIRCUS
(20 January 1951 Crewe Chronicle Feature and Picture)

Tommy Ellis a trainee lion tamer with the Royal South African Circus was mauled
on the Crewe Theatre Stage by a lion called "Satan" during the Wednesday night
performance. Mr Ellis was walking towards the lions when he tripped on his
trousers. Carl Fisher managed to keep the lions from killing the young trainer
known as "The Young Kildare" by grabbing "Satan's" Mane.

Mr Tommy Ellis was taken to the Crewe Memorial Hospital where he was treated
for a fractured Jaw and bad lacerations.

EXTRA INFO Alan Hayes 1998 interview with Stewart Green for Hospital Radio
Leighton.

Carl Fisher a German Lion tamer used to use a pencil to keep the lions in check
instead of a whip. While the lions were in the theatre someone had to stay with
the lions 24 hours a day and this lad who was with the Circus would put the cage
up and stay with the lions. He was training to be a lion tamer and asked Carl
Fisher if he could take part in the Matinee performance with the lions. This was
a special matinee as the children were off school. Everything went well until he
took a step backwards and tripped. The lions were on him straight away and ripped
a hole in the side of his face you could put a cup in. Immediately they brought
down the curtain and Carl Fisher just went into the cage and literally opened the
jaws of the lion's mouth and frightened the lion away from the young lad. Carl
beckoned for the stage crew to get the injured man out of the cage and they took
him to the Memorial hospital in Crewe.

(With thanks to the Crewe Chronicle for reproduction of this article)

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