Decar and Tomato (1911 - 1949)
Biography
In 1911, the Decars were an acrobatic duo, formed by John Decar and Frederick William Evans aka Pimple, whose clown-style costumes, complete with white-face, provided the foils for the star of the show, the extraordinary donkey named Tomato.
Tomato was indeed a very clever, though temperamental, donkey. He could waltz on his heels, be commanded to lie down, trot and then gallop around the stage. Tomato was described consistently as the funniest and most educated donkey in the world. According to ‘The Sun’ newspaper, Sunday 20th December 1913, he was perhaps the most travelled donkey in existence, having worked in all the principal European cities as well as in America, South Africa, the East, Australia and New Zealand. He could supposedly understand French, German, Spanish and Portuguese equally as well as English.
John Decar was a descendant of the Leglere family of acrobats, who developed the Decar and Tomato act because of the fierce competition between acrobats at the time. Allegedly it took Decar over five years to train Tomato, throughout that time he wore a thick leather suit to protect himself from bites, despite his efforts, however, Tomato managed to send him to hospital no less than three times (Martin & Rodgers’ European Wonder Show and Vaudeville Circus souvenir programme).
By 1914, John Decar married Kiz who was a onetime apprentice to the Bailey's cycle act, and it seems that she took on one of the Decar and Tomato act white-face roles.
By 1927, at the Exeter Hippodrome, Decar and Tomato appeared as the Decar’s Miniature Circus, together with clown and animal trainer Micky Maxi presenting trained monkeys, dogs and geese and travelled this act until John and Kiz retired in 1949.
Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:
Decar and Tomato Collection
This collection contains black and white photographs and postcards of several generations of the Decar family with a strong focus on John Decar and his act as Decar and Tomato. It also includes other circus performers as well as autograph books and a scrapbook.
Decar and Tomato Scrapbook, 14 April - 28 December 1913
Scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs, handbills, two pages from the Belfast Hippodrome programme and letters concerning the Decar and Tomato Act while travelling around Australia, New Zealand, 21p.p used, 54p.p blank.
Family and Performers Photographs and Postcards, 1902 - 1948
Black and white family and professional photographs and postcards showing different members of the Decar family.
Martin & Rodgers’ European Wonder Show and Vaudeville Circus Souvenir Programme, c1920 - 1929
Purple and white front cover showing Decar and Tomato and descriptive articles accompanied of black and white photographs of the acts, 5p.p.
Photographic Album, c1921
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of different circus and performing animal acts, family photographs and panoramic views around Australia and New Zealand, 8p.p.
Photographic Album, 1902 - 1951
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of the William Rosaire family and several generations of the Decar family as well as different acts and circus and variety performers and showmen, city views in France, Persia, Argentina, Switzerland, England and Ireland, 40p.p
Photographs and Postcards, 1902 - 1951
Photographic albums and photograhs showing the Decar family, circus performers and acts, including animals and images of different locations around the world.
Scrapbook of Autographs, 1913 - 1915
Scrapbook of autographs containing black and white photographs, drawings and cabinet cards for various artistes with autographs and dedications, 56p.p.
Scrapbook of Autographs, 1914 - 1916
Scrapbook of autographs containing black and white photographs, drawings and cabinet cards for various artistes with autographs and dedications, 48p.p.
Scrapbooks, 1913 - 1916
Scrapbooks containing photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings and performers' autographs, some related to the First World War.
Tivoli Poster, 25 March 1929
Jazon and Montgomery present the supreme British dancers Moore & Bamford, Mark Lane comedian, Hagen and Lee comedians, Francini Olloms musicians, The Four Vagabounds vocalists, Bertini, the Kiraku Brothers three Japanese wonders, Clown Dears with his miniature circus introducing Cyclone the unridable mule. Printed by Haveys advertising Services (Hull) Ltd.