Bayrooty Troupe

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The Bayrooty Troupe, from Mount Lebanon, Syria, managed by westerner Barry Gray, performed Arabic music, acrobatics, dancing as "Whirling Dervishes," "Gun Spinning, Sword Combats." They performed in circuses, dime museums, sideshows and eventually vaudeville, starting in about 1898. They appeared with Ringling Brothers Circus earlier on, and were described as "Maronite Christians." Dancer Marie Bayrooty was the star, and she and the troupe appeared at the Dreamland Coney Island, as later as part of the Sells-Floto Sideshow.