Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities

Episode: “La La”
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Production: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

Overview

In this episode of Cabinet of Curiosities, Aaron Mahnke explores the extraordinary, real-life adventures of two historical figures whose pursuits of something beyond the ordinary led them to global notoriety. The first story follows James Brooke, the British soldier who became Rajah of Sarawak—an icon of Victorian colonial ambition and controversy. The second tale delves into the inspiring and often overlooked life of Ms. La La, the daring Black aerialist immortalized by Edgar Degas in the iconic painting “Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando.” Both stories shed light on the pursuit of adventure and the complexity of legacies left in their wake.

Story One: James Brooke—The Adventurer Who Became a Rajah

[00:38–05:53]

Key Points & Discussion

• A Restless Young Man Transformed:
  James Brooke, hailing from English aristocracy, left school and joined the East India Company army but was soon sent home after being wounded.
  “He was bored and listless…the army had shown him some fascinating parts of the world, but he hadn’t been free to explore it.” (Aaron Mahnke, 01:17)

• The Inheritance and the Ship:
  On inheriting a fortune in 1835, Brooke purchased a schooner, “The Royalist,” and sailed for Asia in search of adventure.

• A Simple Mission Turns Larger:
  In 1841, upon delivering thanks to the Sultan of Brunei, Brooke was offered governorship over the province of Sarawak—on condition he defeat local pirates.

• Campaign Against Pirates—and More:
  With the Sultan’s uncle Hashem, Brooke eradicated pirate enclaves—sometimes violently targeting entire communities, not all of them combatants.
  “James killed them by the hundreds, but he saw it as a necessary evil. The pirates threatened British shipping in the area.” (Aaron Mahnke, 03:32)

• Complex Legacy of Colonialism:
  His efforts helped further British export interests, avoided direct Dutch conflict, and led to his knighthood. But Brooke’s rule also suppressed brutal practices like head-hunting and human trafficking among local tribes.

• An Enduring Impact:
  Brooke’s descendants ruled Sarawak for a century, preserving local autonomy until WWII Japanese occupation and eventual integration into Malaysia.

Notable Quotes

• “His desire for adventure led to the deaths of many, but some good did come from all of this violence. James’s descendants ruled over Sarawak for a hundred years.” (Aaron Mahnke, 04:54)

• “Curiously, this was only possible because of the actions of one man from half a world away. His desire to get out of the house and do something with his life permanently altered an entire part of the globe.” (Aaron Mahnke, 05:37)

Story Two: Ms. La La—The Aerialist Who Flew Beyond the Ordinary

[07:29–13:21]

Key Points & Discussion

• An Artist’s Muse, A Forgotten Performer:
  Edgar Degas spent days sketching high-flying Ms. La La, resulting in the masterpiece “Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando”—but history nearly forgot the woman herself.

• Olga Brown, Born for the Stage:
  Raised among European fairgrounds, Olga Brown (stage name Ms. La La) began performing at age nine, excelling due to her small yet muscular build.

• Dazzling Talent, Marginalized Identity:
  Ms. La La was exoticized and othered due to her race—billed as “Venus of the Tropics” or “the African Princess”—yet her skills made her a headliner throughout Europe. “It was without a doubt fetishizing and othering to her. But Olga, or Ms. La La as she was known, never let the callous way she was billed affect her ambitions.” (Aaron Mahnke, 09:37)

• Pioneering the Iron Jaw Act:
  Traditionally dominated by men, she innovated the high-flying “iron jaw” routine—biting down on a hook and being hoisted into the air, sometimes lifting other performers with her teeth. “It was truly astonishing, especially given Ms. La La’s size, and it didn’t take long for word about her routine to spread...” (Aaron Mahnke, 11:10)

• Tragedy and Retirement:
  A tragic accident in 1888 led to her friend’s death, after which Ms. La La retired, married, and raised a family who continued her circus legacy.

• Enduring Influence:
  Though Ms. La La’s later life remains shrouded in mystery, Degas’s painting ensures her place in history, with her portrait still captivating visitors at the National Gallery in London.

Notable Quotes

• “Several months later…he debuted a stunning portrait called Ms. La La at the Cirque Fernando. His painting depicted a graceful black woman in a brightly colored costume high above the circus floor, dangling from a rope held not in her hand but in her teeth.” (Aaron Mahnke, 07:41)

• “She would use the hook to suspend one or even two other performers in midair to the roar of the crowds below.” (Aaron Mahnke, 10:50)

• “Her likeness is forever immortalized. Her portrait hangs at the National Gallery in London, where she will forever stun adoring crowds who gather to watch her fly.” (Aaron Mahnke, 12:47)

Most Memorable Moments

• [02:16]: Brooke’s life-altering decision to sail for Asia.
• [09:37]: Ms. La La’s resilience amid “callous” and exoticizing circus promotions.
• [10:42–11:10]: Mahnke’s vivid description of her aerial routine, spotlighting her dangerous, innovative artistry.
• [12:47]: The poetic ending, honoring Ms. La La’s lasting visual legacy.

Takeaway

This episode reflects on two people propelled by restlessness and ambition—an Englishman seeking conquest and a Black woman seeking to soar—revealing both the price of such dreams and the mark left on history. Mahnke’s storytelling highlights both the cost of boldness (sometimes borne by others) and the beauty that can emerge from relentless pursuit, even when recognition comes only posthumously.

For more bite-sized tales, subscribe to Cabinet of Curiosities or visit curiositiespodcast.com. Until next time—stay curious.