The noblest art is that of making others happy
The very definition of a found family - the performers have a strong sense of solidarity born out of shared experiences of marginalisation and a desire for acceptance and dignity. While there are some who can 'pass', most have their own reason to not participate in what could be considered 'normal' society. For some it is a physical distinction that sets them apart, their history or personal circumstances, and for a few its as much as they just don't want to play by societies rules. They care for each other and protect each other from the outside world, even if relationships can be rocky within the show.
b. 20+ | WCAB | Long Way From Home | Suggested PB: open
The Mermaid was never good in school, never wanted the drudgery her parents expected of her - service or a factory - neither suited. She performs in a large glass tank on the stage in a tail. She doesn't appear to use magic in her act, other than to accentuate the aesthetics of her act, which makes it all the more impressive.
RESERVED
b. 20+ | WCAB | Long Way From Home | Suggested PB: open
Running from who or Merlin knows what, the 'Spider' joined up with Ephram in the Asia. Her performance is Corde/Tissue lisse acrobatics. No one in the show knows much about her past. She rarely uses magic in her act.
RESERVED
b. 20+ | WCAB | Long Way From Home | Suggested PB: open
A man whose past is less than salubrious, where he learned his skills is the subject of lots of stories - he tells everyone a different version - so its hard to know whats right - if any of them are. He keeps to himself, doesn't share a great deal.
His act has its basis in traditional trapeze but augmented by magic that he performs wandlessly while doing the show - perhaps the most impressive part of his performance.
b. 30+ | WCAB | Born to be wild | Suggested PB: open
This act involves magical creature displays and trained performances - like traditional lion taming but with magical beasts. Where possible the creatures are made to display their most notable magical quality. It is a dangerous act and he is badly scared in places where the trick has gone wrong.
Married to 'The Rider', she assists him in some of his tricks, he is a self conscious and quiet man. Ephram likes him a great deal but he finds Ephram a bit much most of the time.
b. 20+ | WCAB | The Mother | Suggested PB: open
In her act she performs tricks with magical equine, showing off their beauty and performing tricks while on horseback. She is married to The Tamer. They eloped together to escape the judgement of his family, who didn't think she was good enough for him.
She is kind and maternal, a bit of a mother to all the members of the show
b. 20+ | WCAB | Saddest Clown | Suggested PB: open
He trained as a clown, legitimately trained, working in Varieté shows all across Europe. He has a more extensive magical education than his role would imply. His act involves using harmless jinxes and hexes to entertain the audience and using transfiguration magic for comedic effect, changing their appearances or props in surprising ways.
He was a second son, who really couldn't cope with the 'spare' designation and basically noped out of his life! He has a wife and children - somewhere.
b. 20+ | WCAB | Beauty is Pain | Suggested PB: open
Covered from head to toe in magical tattoos - the paintings act is predominantly posing showing off the tattoos to best effect. The images change and shift making it a fascinating display. They also do some sword swallowing, or similar, something else while they are showing off their tattoos
b. 20+ | WCAB | Cursed | Suggested PB: open
Born a Maldictus - along with their whole family, each has a different form, but the audience delights to watch in horror in as these siblings transform into their cursed forms.
b. 20+ | WCAB | I used to be rich! | Suggested PB: open
An Eldest born son, or rather he thought he was, but his father revealed to him that he was his mothers bastard. As a boy/young teen he was mistreated by his father, and he decided that life on the run was preferable to his treatment. He joined the show as a fire breathing, performing tricks with real flame, augmented by magic.
b. 20+ | WCAB | The Pretender | Suggested PB: open
A squib in a family that really didn't like that, there was a time when they thought they might actually be in danger if they stayed at their home. They are not a real seer, but instead pretends to be such, and pretends they are not a squib. Ephraim knows- or at least suspects that they are not real, but also doesn't care.
b. Ageless | Spirit | Death Defying Performances | Suggested PB: open
The brothers had wanted to be performers in life but their families expectations hadn't allowed that. When they met an untimely end together, they decided to come up with an act together, making the most of their ghostly abilities in their performances.
b. 20+ | WCAB | Questionable Lineage | Suggested PB: open
He claims to be a part giant but this isn't confirmed - Ephraim isn't even convinced he is a wizard. But he knew about Hogwarts so the story at least has enough plausible deniability to suit Ephram. The giants act is mostly marvelling people at his height - but he also has a strong man act that goes as part of it.
b. 20+ | WCAB | Targeted | Suggested PB: open
Another performers whose magical status is in question. She either has very little magic, or none at all - really no one has seen her use magic and her skills are more impressive as a result. Like the giant she knew enough to convince Ephraim he wasn't breaking any rules by having her join the show, but he didn't look too hard at it. She performs trick shots and other feats of accuracy.
b. 20+ | WCAB | Runaway| Suggested PB: open
She met Ephraim in the continent, she had already been on the run for a while before. She was one of the first to join the show- initially grateful for the protection - and Ephraims ability to negotiate better rates for her performances. Few of the performers know that she is one of the better paid members of the show - because she was in so early and was able to get a good percentage rate for her performances.
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These are just some suggestions, or acts/people mentioned in Ephrams posting. There is capacity and scope for other acts, even similar or related skills - No limits on blood or part humans, indeed the more unique the combination the better! It's also somewhere where criminals and those seeking to reform their lives could hide out, not be asked too many questions and have the rest of the show deny they've ever heard of you if the cops ask.