'I felt like they poured hot water on my hair.'

People always think of the glamour and skill of the artist, along with the admiring applause of the audience. However, to achieve those moments of triumph on stage, circus artists must sacrifice sweat, effort, and even their lives.

"It felt like they were pouring hot water on my hair."

In an interview with The New York Times, former hair-hanging circus performer Marguerite Michelle Ayala shared: "At first, when I was learning, it felt like they were pouring hot water on my hair."

Marguerite Michelle Ayala performing.

She said that circus performers are used to pain. In 1982, while performing in Atlanta, Georgia, she fell and broke her neck when a cable suddenly snapped, leaving her in a coma for a week.

Hair aerobatics is an art form where hair is wrapped around a hoop or hook fixed high above the ground. Performers are suspended or spun around in mid-air. The hair and scalp of the performers must be trained to withstand the weight. To pursue this profession, Marguerite Michelle Ayala had to adjust her diet to maintain strong, healthy hair. However, this art form also causes neck, shoulder, and head pain for the artists.

"This is probably the last time I'll perform in the circus..."

These are the heartfelt words of circus artist Kazushi Ito, who has over 30 years of experience in the profession, before successfully performing the Ashige Fusuma act – one of the most difficult and demanding acts requiring high professional skills.

Circus performer Kazushi Ito.

Ashige Fusuma refers to the use of feet to control a Fusuma – a vertical rectangular panel known in Japanese architecture that can slide from side to side to divide space or serve as a doorway. They typically measure around 90 cm wide, approximately 180 cm high, and 2-3 cm thick.

Fusuma Plate.

Despite his years of experience, it took Kazushi Ito four years to master the Ashige Fusuma technique. In particular, the act of placing a bucket on his feet and using it to lift the Fusuma mat was incredibly challenging, as his feet didn't directly touch the lifting object. Ultimately, Kazushi Ito successfully performed the feat despite his tension and anxiety.

The image shows a male circus performer successfully executing a difficult act.

Accidents are always lurking…

On April 15, 2023, Chinese people were abuzz about an incident in which two lions unexpectedly jumped out of their cages during a circus performance, causing panic among the audience.

A lion is strolling in the parking lot near the circus.

According to eyewitness accounts, the circus was performing a lion dance at the time, with the stage enclosed by an iron fence separating it from the audience. However, due to the trainer's carelessness in not closing the door, the lions unexpectedly escaped from their cages. In just a few seconds, the two animals had sneaked into the staff aisle and approached the audience.

One of the two lions was captured before it could escape. The other lion was photographed "strolling" near a parking lot. Numerous videos show people running in panic in fear at the terrifying scene.

Torn apart by lions right on stage.

The incident occurred during a circus performance in Doullens, northern France, on May 7, 2017. A trainer at the Buffalo circus was violently attacked by a male lion he had trained for many years.

The male trainer was attacked by the lion.

The lion repeatedly tossed the male trainer around amidst the screams of the audience, until his wife used a fire extinguisher to spray the stage to distract it.

The trainer was airlifted to a hospital in Amiens for emergency treatment. He underwent a five-hour surgery for serious injuries to his neck and legs from the lion's claws and teeth. Fortunately, he is now out of danger.

Thai circus performer bitten on the head by a crocodile.

In June 2017, the press continuously reported on the incident in which veteran Thai circus artist Grantham was bitten on the head by a crocodile while performing.

Amarintv reported that the unfortunate incident occurred on June 10th at a popular tourist resort on Koh Samui island, Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. During a performance, Grantham used two wooden sticks to manipulate the crocodile's mouth. He then deliberately put his head into its mouth to create a dramatic scene.

A Thai artist was bitten on the head by a crocodile while performing.

However, the crocodile deliberately bit deeply into his head. Many audience members were shocked and terrified by what happened on stage. Afterwards, he screamed until the crocodile slithered away. Grantham was immediately taken to the emergency room. Upon admission on June 10th, the artist was in a coma, with very deep bite wounds on both temples.

Died after falling from a height of over ten meters.

On the evening of April 15, 2023, a Chinese actress performing aerobatics unexpectedly fell to the ground during a performance in Yongqiao County, Suzhou, Anhui. She was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Several on-set videos show the male and female actors performing acrobatic stunts high in the air. During the lift, the female actress unexpectedly fell from a height of over 10 meters onto the stage. Investigators stated that no safety measures were in place for the performers.

There were no safety precautions taken for the actors.

Aerial acrobatics is a highly skilled art form, requiring performers to execute numerous difficult maneuvers at varying heights. This necessitates professional training and strict safety protocols. However, high-altitude performances always carry inherent and unpredictable risks.

(Source: Vietnamnet)

Beneficial
Emotion
Creative
Unique
Wrath

Source: https://vtc.vn/toi-cam-thay-nhu-the-ho-doi-nuoc-nong-len-toc-minh-ar783507.html