Plate spinning
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Plate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles, without them falling off. Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect, in the same way a top stays upright while spinning. Spinning plates are sometimes gimmicked, to help keep the plates on the poles.[1]
Western plate spinning performers usually present comedy acts and typically feature one performer with an assistant, spinning multiple plates on sticks held vertically in stands.
History
Plate spinning has existed since at least the 3rd century. It is likely it originated in China but it also has a long history in Western countries from evidence in medieval religious manuscripts. The first book that provide instruction for plate spinning was published in 1901. <re name="juggling.org">
Types of plate spinning
Plate spinning has a variety of related skills and performances. The most recognised is the spinning of a plate horizontally on top of a stick. Plates can, however, be spun on their edge, as in 'Plate waltzing' or spun vertically as in 'Plate juggling'. Plate spinning skills can also be performed with other circus skills such as acrobatics and other juggling or balance skills.
Horizontal plate spinning
This type is the most recognised form of plate spinning and is performed widely using various types of sticks and plates. The plate is spun horizontally on the tip of a stick which is often 'sharpened' in some way. The plates motion can be maintained by moving the tip of the stick in a circular fashion.
Rack or table plate spinning
In this type of plate spinning the sticks are inserted in a rack, frame or hole in a table. Using this, the performer can spin multiple plates on multiple sticks
Dynamic plate spinning
This type of plate spinning involves not only spinning the plate or plates with hand held sticks but includes tricks such as: throwing and catching the plate on the stick, manipulating the stick and plate combination around the arms, legs and body and performing acrobatics while still spinning the plates. Another specialist form is the combination of plate manipulation and a mouth stick
Acrobatic plate spinning
Many Chinese acrobatics troupes feature plate spinning, usually in combination with contortion or acrobatic skills. These usually feature performers holding several plates in each hand spinning on sticks.
Plate waltzing
Other forms of plate manipulation include plate waltzing, where plates are spun on their edges on a table top, and plate juggling, where plates are manipulated and thrown by the performers. Some performers have combined several of these elements into restaurant or kitchen-themed acts.
Plate juggling
Plate juggling is similar to ring juggling, a form of Toss juggling. The plates are thrown and caught vertically. A few performers can also juggle multiple plates from two sticks while the plates are spinning horizontally.
Plate spinning and other skills
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Plate spinning is also incorporated into other forms of performance arts such as dancing.
In popular culture
The tune "Sabre Dance" is often played in the background. Erich Brenn performed on the American television program The Ed Sullivan Show and other American variety and talent shows during the early years of American television. Tom Griswold, co-host of The Bob & Tom Show, a syndicated American comedy radio program, occasionally says he wishes he could see a plate spinner on TV again and wants to book one for his staff's annual Christmas party, which Chick McGee cites as further evidence that Griswold is out of touch with contemporary entertainment. In an episode of the Simpsons, at the Springfield Retirement Castle talent show, one participant does a similar act, but uses the dentures of several of the residents. Plate spinning was often seen in HBO's prison drama Oz, where an unnamed prisoner would often be seen spinning a book on the tip of a pen.
The popular British game show The Generation Game would regularly feature a plate spinner demonstrating his skills, then inviting the contestants to attempt it. During the 1960s & 1970s German Performer Wolfgang Bartschelly popularised plate spinning and regularly appeared on television.
Records
- The most peoples spinning plates at the same time is 1026 people at an event opening Sportcampus in Utrecht, Netherlands on 25th September 2007.[2]
- The Guinness World Record for spinning multiple plates is held by David Spathaky assisted by Debbie Woolley, who spun 108 plates simultaneously on a televsion show in Bangkok, Thailand in 1996.
Notable plate spinners
- Andrew Van Buren - British plate spinner and juggler.
- David Spathaky - world record British plate spinner formerly of Ra-Ra Zoo
- Erich Brenn - American plate spinner [1]
- Angel Bojilov Jr [1]
- Kumar Pallana [1]
References
- ^ a b c "The Art of Plate Spinning · IJA". IJA. 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
- ^ "Most people spinning plates simultaneously". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
External links
