Here's an article about them from an Australian newspaper in 1952:
“Two young Adelaide acrobats, who three years ago were earning £35 a week between them, returned from America tonight, where they are earning $650 a week. They are Max Kitson, 27, and Lou Sachse, 22, who are stars in the touring American company 'Ice-Capades.'
They arrived by air for a five weeks' holiday, after which they will rejoin the company at Atlanta City. Since they left Australia, they have starred at the London Palladium and Madison Square Garden, and have toured the UK and the US. Kitson said tonight that they had teamed up during
the war while members of a YMCA troop entertainment unit.
When English comedian George Formby visited Australia, he invited them to go to the UK. They accepted, but first had to raise their fares.
They hired the Adelaide town Hall, got a few acts together, and staged a show. 'We were just a novelty acrobatic act when we left Australia, but in England we learned to ice skate and developed an act which went over in a big way,' Kitson said. 'Every morning we used to look out to see if the pond was frozen, and we mastered the art in six weeks. Kitson said they had just finished a four weeks' appearance at Hollywood. In addition to the $650 a week that they were earning,
they had recently received a $1,000 bonus. They will fly on to their homes in Adelaide tomorrow.”
The Advertiser Newspaper, Adelaide, Australian. June 1952:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47434817/3179198
Their popularity peaked on television during the 1950s and 1960s, introducing their comedy to millions of households.
On 6 November 1956, they guest-starred on Walt Disney's The Mickey Mouse Club, performing their signature slow-motion balancing act in matching suits. This appearance cemented their status in American pop culture. They also made multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, showcasing variations of their act, including a famous routine involving balancing wicker baskets. The Maxwells remain remembered as pioneers of variety entertainment who successfully crossed the boundaries between traditional acrobatics, physical comedy, and ice skating.
