ACROBAT IN PERIL

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 13

ACROBAT IN PERIL

HOLDING BY THE TEETH People who go to places of entertainment in search of “sensation” sometimes get more than their money’s worth. And more than they want. This was the case with the normal majority of the spectators at the Busch Circus in Berlin one evening a few weeks ago. Then “sensation” in itself was quite enough to make most people feel uncomfortable. A turn, performed by two Frenchmen, was called “ sky cycling on a magnetic star.” One of the pair, hanging head downwards, cycled on a single wheel which, by some mysterious agency, adhered to the surface of a large star affixed to the ceiling. The. other, connected with his colleague only by his teeth, accomplished various acrobatic feats. On their own insistence the performers were allowed to do their turn without a safety net below. With open months and flesh inclined to creep, the public watched this unnerving display. Suddenly the cycle stopped. At first most of those present believed thn t this was part of the programme. But soon it was seen that the cyclist was really exerting himself ti propel the wheel, first forward and then backwards, and was obviously disconcerted by bis lack of success Wild) GRY OF ALARM. A nervous shudder swept through the circus. There was a wild cry of alarm. Dozens of people shut their eyes and gasped. Some rose in agitation from their seats and hustled to the doors. Then there was a shout, “ The rope !” and the obj 3ct_ called for was detached from some point on the walls and swung backwards and for-, wards in an attempt to bring it within reach of the two men, the life of one of whom seemed to depend cjiiito literally on the .strength of his jaws. But every time the rope was swung it, caught in one of the points of the star, and remained inaccessible to the groping bands of_ the acrobats. The wheel was still immovable, and the rope ladder by which the mair had ascended was at the other side of the star. Could teeth bear the strain any longer? Women who bad fainted wore carried out as a huge doth was spread taut over the arena. The band, which bad stopped spontaneously when at first it was realised what bad happened and what might yet happen, was got into action once more. FALL INTO THE ARENA. Someone yelled, “Jump!” Whether the imperilled performer did not hear or did not understand what had been done, or merely had lost his nerve, at any rate, he failed to respond, and continued to ding on by his teetii. The older was shouted a second and a third time, and at last his body was seen to detach itself and fall limply toward the arena. Many other people now dosed their eyes, while those who had die nerve to watch saw to their horror how the Frenchman struck with the back of his head and shoulders on the cloth with such violence that he re.it it open and fell with a dull thud on to the floor of the arena. There was something horribly incongruous about tli© noisy music which drowned the notes of alarm and excitement, as the injured man was carried out. But when an attempt was made to go ou with tin programme, the hand in its turn, was overcome by an angry roar, demanding positive knowledge of the man’s condition. Then, supported by two attendants, the plucky acrobat half-staggered, half was dragged out for public inspection, and in a faint voice, with a sickly smile, gave the assurance that ho was not seriously buriL