Show Business | Irenes Books

Show Business: Travelling (Pantomime and the Circus Years)

I began working professionally at the age of twelve working in Pantomime every Christmas while continuing my school studies. During the 1960s I worked with my first circus for six months touring Portugal. Returned to England then was offered a six-month contract with a three-ring circus touring Spain. In both of these circuses I was working with other dancers that I’d trained with in a theatrical school in England. In both circus I was performing acrobatic work, and dancing with a variety of acts from the circus also worked with the Elephant.

Show Business: The Orchestra (Casino's and Night Clubs)

After getting married I worked with my husband’s orchestras as a singer then with our own variety shows for many years touring Europe and the Middle East working in Casino’s and Large Night clubs and Theatres. During those years I met many interesting people in the countries we visited, which included various statesmen and Royalty, and continued working in Show business until the late 1990s.

Show Business: Overall

These are photos from the years I worked in Show Business with my husband, who was Spanish and from where my name Irene Martinez comes. My husband was trained talented musician whose instrument was the trumpet, but he also played guitar, piano, and bass. And designed the costumes and hats for our Variety Shows. I have hundreds of photos from the years we on tour in various places and these few give you an idea of our life and work at that time in Show Business.

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