Sometimes Tragic, but Never a Clown

I gush over this man. I can't help it--he's simply amazing. For those of you who've followed this blog, here is the performance I've raved about. This is Toller, the famous "peacock" costume that he claimed "never fell down" and perhaps his most signature piece that cemented his pro career. Toller identified with Pagliacci for his sadness, his wanting to believe that magic and hope could be saved at all costs, but we know that that's not true.

It's all here: the extensions, the lunges, the split jumps, the broken-leg spins. He is often imitated, but never duplicated. Toller put his best on the ice and on his canvas. This clip undoubtedly came from a professional competition in the early 80's, so I'd put Toller's age as a bit past 30. I see so much of Johnny Weir in him it positively excites and frightens me at the same time. I have said of Toller (as I believe with Johnny) that he did not choose skating, skating chose HIM.

And we are blessed for it. Take all the triples and quads away from our current competitors and you still wouldn't get a skater like this. Watch this a few times back to back--his blades make NO sound across the ice. No scratching, no pulling, no "snow" flying up as he lands. Perfect back, solid square shoulders and legs that seem to keep stretching in his spins.

My blessed trinity of C's from the 70"s: Cranston, Curry, and Cousins.

Sheer perfection.