Some of us are learning to walk on glass and to lie on beds of nails like a Fakir. Others are learning an old trapeze act. It was first performed in Belfast and Circus Space by the Beautiful Marias and in 1994 this act was reworked by Hang Aerial Dance in 2005 as part of their Sirens and Sailors show. It is tricky. It includes lots of new static Trapeze moves and up to 6 of us have to do it syncronised in the show! Pest La Bonche says, “Being one of the children from Hang I have grown up watching my mum perform the synchronised swimming act thinking that many moves included were near impossible. It has been amazing, fun and exciting to learn this act and finally be able to perform it and what used to be impossible is now within reach. I look forward to learning more of the once-impossible routines.”
Here is a poem from the show which introduces this trapeze act:
Sychro Swimmers Poem
By PP LaBonche
In the circus tradition the elders know best,
Teaching, training, putting the young’uns to test.
We learn everything from these golden oldies,
Every juggle, jump, move on a trapeze.It’s all about handing it down,
From the acrobats mat to frills for the clown.
Reviving acts to keep tradition alive,
It’s the only way the spectacle can survive.Here’s a world renowned act from our family tree,
Revived especially for all you to see.
Synchronised swimmers up in the air,
The Beautiful Maria’s are beyond compare.
