Sonya Allen with the Chimpanzees. She also worked with large snakes!

Tommy Allen's Show "Lady of Lions" at St Giles' Fair, Oxford, c1945. Sonya Allen used to swing out over the crowd on the trapeze.

Sonya Allen "The Lady of Lions"

Sonya Allen "The Lady of Lions"

Herbert and Annie Richards, Bertha Richards' parents aged 75 and 73 respectively, taken in their garden in Alveley, on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary in 1953 (kindly sent by Ed Richards, Mar 2018)

he Thatched Cottage (possibly also known as "Lady of Lions Cottage"). L-R: Berta Richards (aka Sonya Allen), Annie Richards (Bertha's mother), Fred Weaver and his wife Gladys (Bertha's sister), on a visit to the thatched cottage) (kindly sent by Ed Richards, Mar 2018).

Press report in The Star, 1947 about Bertha (Sonya) Allen (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Bertha (Sonya) Allen (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Sonya Allen with a lion (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Bertha (Sonya) Allen, with lions Ranee, Delia & Muzie (and Victor Allen) (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Performing Animals Regulations Act (1938) Certificate for Bertha (Sonya) Allen (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Performing Animals Regulations Act (1925) Certificate for Thomas Allen, ?1955 (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

The Lady of the Lions Circus, with Betty (Victor and Berta's daughter) on the trapeze (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Thomas and Betty Allen (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Thomas Victor Allen's Circus troupe on stage (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Thomas Victor Allen, born 1892 (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)

Victor as a child with his sister Ivy (?performing as Robert Stewart and Kathleen Susannah Bulmore Wedding) (kindly sent by Diane Stewart, May 2022)