Trapeze

Types of Trapeze

Trapeze has been aptly described as pain on a stick¹. Static Trapeze is just one of a number of trapeze styles. Flying Trapeze is the one most people know but static and Swinging Trapeze also exist.

Static Trapeze

Static trapeze is probably the easiest to get started with: it can be done solo and requires the least rigging. The name is a little confusing. The word static refers to the way the bar² remains still while the artist does all sorts of wonderful tricks above or below it.

Tricks

The tricks themselves have all sorts of fanciful names such as gazelle, half angel, eagle, and so on. These tricks basically consist of making pretty but uncomfortable shapes while the audience make firework-watching noises. I say uncomfortable because you are hanging all your weight by a part of your body not intended for that purpose. And the thing you are hanging it on is that hard metal bar mentioned earlier. To the casual observer, the ropes might look a great deal more comfortable. They’re not. Expect calluses on your hands and the backs of your knees (!) and rope burns on your feet, ankles and arms.

Joined-up thinking

Static trapeze looks best if the tricks are strung together cleanly and gracefully (despite the discomfort) by someone with a good looking body. Alternatively, you can join tricks together via drops. Drops have the virtue of increased ‘wow’ factor and the disadvantage of being scary and involving still more ‘discomfort’. You begin to see why it might be called pain on a stick.

Rewards

There are though, compensations for building up the strength and hardened skin for trapeze. Because it feels very physical. And because hanging at the limit of your strength, high enough to hurt yourself, demands courage and total focus. When you do something with a modicum of power and grace it feels great!

Doubles trapeze is fun too. Working with a partner brings additional rewards because you really need to trust each other and work together.

Having a go

If you want to try trapeze, don't try it at home! Go to somewhere like Circus Space in London and get yourself taught safely.