A mini-series in which historian Tracey Gregory talks with Naomi Clifford about the inhabitants of Loughborough Road in Brixton, South London.

Tracey’s blog, Loughborough Road Stories blog, explores the people and buildings of Loughborough Road and surrounding streets over the past 180 years.

This is a collaborative project between Morley Radio and The Door history podcast.

The Spiral Queen and Skirt Dancer

Born Augusta Rose (more commonly known as Rose or Rosaline) Noeldechen in 1857 in Berlin, Mademoiselle or Madame Alphonsine also used the stage names La Belle Rose, Marie Rose and Rose Celeste.

Rose built her career balancing on a large ball about 2ft (60cm) in circumference which she ‘walked’ up and down a large spiral 40ft high (12m) on a track just 16in (40cm) wide.

By the early 1880s she was performing her spiral ascension in the US. Here she met Canadian John Wingfield, who had an act of performing dogs.

Rose and John moved to Blackpool in 1914, but Brixton in south London was their home for more than 20 years.

Madame Alphonsine, the ‘Spiral Ascensionist’. Illustration for The Strand Magazine, 1897.

No. 50 Loughborough Road, former home of Rosa Wingfield, aka ‘Alphonsine’

Rosa suffered a number of serious falls during her career, including in 1889 at The Canterbury Theatre of Varieties near Waterloo. Later she became a promoter for Elliman’s Embrocation, a cream for easing aches and pains. Her endorsement was used widely in newspaper adverts for the ointment.

By her late 30s Rosa had largely abandoned the spiral and, while standing on top of the ball, performed while waving her skirt and scarves in a style known as skirt dancing. She was appearing into her 60s, albeit latterly with her feet on the ground.

Rosa died in Blackpool in 1947, aged 91. John passed away 18 years earlier.

By her late 30s Rosa had largely abandoned the spiral and, while standing on top of the ball, danced while waving her skirt and scarves in a style known as skirt dancing. She was performing into her 60s, albeit latterly with her feet on the ground.

Rosa died in Blackpool aged 91 in 1947. John passed away 18 years earlier in the same town.