Who was the first???

[The Amazing Beaumanz]

I hope this doesn't start a fight, but who was the first with this pole show?? Alakazam? Gav? Bikeboy?

How many more are there???

[martin ewen]

You WILL start a fight

My version of reality goes Gav then Al then Mr boy
But doubts remain, Gav used crates originally. did he graduate to a pole before Al did? That aside I did once see butterfly beat a gigantic sabre tooth ferret to death with a unicycle. We ate well in the cave THAT night.

[Stretch]

Who is the guy under the brige at Circular Quay in Sydney doing a bed of nails on a pole act?

[gav]

that's right

I was doing it for a good year and a half before Al turned up on my local pitch in W.A. one weekend at which time he did some kinda pyramid balance finale. Then about 6 months later I here he's doing a pole act in Sydney. He'll even tell you it that way round these days, but he still claims to have had the idea before he saw me doing it. It's possible, whatever. Martin was probaly there in the Perth mall the first time I ever did it.
Now, however there are at least 7 pole acts out there. In order to still appear original I put a small chair on top of mine and started doing handstands as well as juggling. Wouldn't you know it, someone went and copied that 1 within 6 months. He does just sit there and swallow swords though.
Bikeboy actually asked me if I'd mind that he did it, and I said fine as long as you make it your own by putting a bike on top.( he also put $50 in my hat the first time he saw my show) He did.
I've got no idea who it would be doing bed of nails. I guess that takes it up to 8 pole acts then.
I'm about to turn mine into a lamp post purely for doing handstands on for my new show. Get to work people !
ps. I've never claimed it to be my purely original idea, it's based on several things, but in all honesty I had never heard of or seen anyone standing and juggling on top of a pole that was only supported by volunteers holding ropes. As far as I new it was an original street show finale at the time.

[Stretch]

lampost?

Like this? http://www.stiltwalker.com/mvc745a.jpg

This is Kenny Ahern at Clown Camp Canada in Medicine Hat, Alberta, CA in 1999. Kenny is a semi lurker on these pages, a former RBBB clown, a terrific instructor and entertainer.
We were taken on a site seeing excursion and stopped in a park for a break and photos.

Here is one of the younger students on the same lampost. http://www.stiltwalker.com/photo17.jpg

Quite a talented fellow, his performance in the week's final show was a terrific uni ballet in a tutu . Wish I could remember his name.

[Stretch]

Bed of nails on a pole

The fellow I saw, used it as a finale. Laid down on his belly on the small bed, maybe 16 inches square.

[gav]

not like that

I wish it could be that simple, but I have to design a special multi pronged lamp that's just right in assisting me to perform a handstand on top of it without it looking too purpose built. Basicaly I have to be able to grip some kind of tube and then have another part of the structure that I can rest my forearms against . Anyway I've got it all sorted and thisn't isn't the place to go into details I guess.
As for the guy with the bed of nails, I think I know who it is now, but I don't know his name. Bikeboy has a kind of apprentise that works the same pitch as him, and he's sold the guy his amp, his costume, let him use all the jokes, and now know doubt, the idea of a pole finale. I'll get a name if you want.

[scot]

when you get the lamp built upload the plans here.

[Kim]

Francios Volet (from Switzerland) was doing something on a pole in Nelson back in 1998... I think he'd just come from Australia.

[martin ewen]

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

He'd just come from Perth as I remember.
I was on stilts long before you guys, you stole my altitude and I want it back!
You can keep the bits over 12 and a half feet but those bits between 6ft and 12 and a half, that's all my genius idea.

[le pire]

Lamp... hmmm. Ever heard of Bello Nock?
He's the principal clown with Ringling Bros. these days and he climbs a 50' sway pole with a lamp at the top in order change a light bulb. He does handstands, sways around and all that. Also does a great slapstick trampoline act, a cube routine, and the classic French clown entree "William Tell." Probably the best arena clown I've ever seen.

I haven't seen Gav's act, although we were in Singapore together. I will say Bike Boy ROCKS.

What about Nimmo with that pole / ladder thingee... Drops a lot of eggs, then doesn't clean up after himself and the acts who get the pitch next are slipping on his slime. Thanks duke.

etienne

[gav]

guess where he got the idea

Originally posted by Kim
Francios Volet (from Switzerland) was doing something on a pole in Nelson back in 1998... I think he'd just come from Australia.

Francois was building paper houses when I met him. He then proceeded to become a street performer by doing everything I did. I didn't mind, because he's my mate, although he did end up doing a show that my best freind and I concieved and documented, and then he couldn't remember that we ever told him about it. Oh well, never mind. He's done with the street now. He's doing animation.
He at least had the good grace not to do the pole anywhere near me.
My inspiration came from Sian Phillips(yes a woman) who had a 2.5mtr pole with a uni seat on top. She would tie one rope off to a post and then have 2 guys hold the other ropes. She would sit on the pole and play some accordian song for her finale.
There was also a duo in Sydney who had a small pole with handles that 4 guys would hold, then the girl would climb up and do a half flip of into a firemans blanket thingy. It was a damsel in distress burning building type story. Actually quite original for Australia, but alass not long lasted.

There are actually a couple of sway pole acts that use the Lamp theme. That idea goes back a long way. I wish I could have a sway pole on the street, but it's just not feasable, and besides I like the dynamic of having strangers holding my life in their hands!
I think I only did my pole twice in Singapore. It just wasn't worth it given the heat, humidity and the low pay !!
Daniel Nimmo also thanked me for inspiration for that monster of a contraption that he drags around.Egg on the pitch sucks though.

[gav]

Bruce

Originally posted by Stretch
Who is the guy under the brige at Circular Quay in Sydney doing a bed of nails on a pole act?

Bruce. His name is Bruce and apparently he even lives with Bikeboy now.

[Lee Nelson]

brucey

yep, your bang on, I met Bruce at Port Fairy this year, he gave me a ride back to Melbourne. I almost pissed myself when I saw a bed of nails on a pole but I suppose in todays environment in Australia when everyone has decided they absolutely need a pole to make money you have to be "original" somehow. I dont think he lives with Bike Boy though.
For my money, Gav was the first pole I ever saw, followed by Al, then their was what seemed to be respect and noone did another pole for 2-3years and suddenly the floodgates opened. (God that makes me sound like a slut)
Now it is awesome, bikes on poles, bed of nails on poles, sword swallowing on chairs on poles on coffins. Go the pole!! Did I dream I saw a midget on a pole??
The best variation is Lleyton in Aus who is doing a pole act as well with people holding ropes but he is actually doing chinese pole on the pole. My god!!! Crazy!!
I am doing the anti pole, same height, no strings!!
Take Care Fluffy Bunnies
For those that are interested Anitta and I are in NY on Sunday till Thursday and then Montreal for a month.
June-Sep sees us in Europa, see yous on the road!

[Lee Nelson]

sorry, heres the no strings

voila, I hope.
sorry to double up