Family Historian User Group

A great aunt was on the stage with her parents in mid/late 1880s. She was descibed in newspapers as 'the only Grotesque Child in the Profession' and 'the only Child Grotesque in the World, and a Wonder'. She and her parents were referred to as ' our Grotesque Trio of Novelty (not High Kicking)'.
Does anyone know what 'grotesque' is/was?

ID:2807

Having had a look at some old newspapers on the site which is mentioned in the Research forum, I believe that they were contortionists - unless someone knows better.