By David Cain
The Baranton Sisters were accomplished foot jugglers consisting of Regina (born 1942) and Eliane (born 1945) who were very popular in Europe and the United States during the 1960s. These French sisters came from a family with a long history in the circus arts, including as members of The Troop Marcellis and Trio Bassi.
Their parents, Marcelle and Julien, along with their uncle Leon, made up the foot juggling group the Trio Baranton. Regina replaced her uncle in the act starting in 1958.
The Baranton Trio
The sisters started performing together as the Baranton Sisters in 1960, debuting at the Folies-Bergere show at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.
Among their many performances were a summer season at the London Palladium in 1961, shows at The Lido in Paris, and an extended run in Las Vegas at the Stardust from 1964 to 1966. They performed in the Barry Ashton Show in Miami, Florida at the Americana Hotel, and at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The sisters were featured as part of two Royal Command performances, one for the Queen Mother and Prince Charles in 1961 and another for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1963. The pair also was showcased on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Their act began with routines with three, four, and five large fiberglass balls each, using their feet and hands. They each next manipulated two cylindrical barrels using only their feet. Their most famous routine was juggling tables. They each balanced and spun a large table in various positions and orientations with their feet.
The duo split up in 1969 when Eliane married Giovanni “Johnny” Biasini, another circus performer. Not long after, Regina met and married juggler Gil Dova. Both women continued with solo careers, in addition to raising families.
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Regina Baranton
Eliane Baranton
Eliane performed in Series 17 of Britain’s Got Talent in 2024, still performing her foot juggling act at the age of 78. She resides in France. Her children and grandchildren continue to perform in the circus arts today. The following video shows Eliane on Britain’s Got Talent.
Eliane Baranton
Eliane Baranton
Eliane Baranton
Regina retired from performing in the 1980s and her children chose careers outside of performing. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia (USA). Below you can see the author with Regina Baranton.
Regina Baranton and David Cain
David Cain
David Cain is a professional juggler, juggling historian, and the owner of the world's only juggling museum, the Museum of Juggling History. He is a Guinness world record holder and 16 time IJA gold medalist. In addition to his juggling pursuits, David is a successful composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and singer as well as the author of twenty-six books. He and his children live in Middletown, OH (USA).