Circus skills

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 119. Chapters: Unicycle, Juggling, Sideshow, Impalement arts, Balance board, Target girl, Magic, Ursari, Fire dancing, Animal training, Sword swallowing, Diabolo, Fire breathing, Devil sticks, Poi, Slacklining, Trampoline, Stilts, Acro dance, Poi tricks, Hooping, Knife throwing, Firewalking, Contortion, Meteor hammer, Tightrope walking, Cyclecide, Flying trapeze, Aerial silk, Fire eating, Mentalism, Horse riding stunts, Acrobatics, Theatrical séance, Lion taming, Cigar box, Human pyramid, Card manipulation, Acrobalance, Human cannonball, World Highwire Championships, Plate spinning, Aerial straps, Wheel of death, Perch, Bed of nails, Aerial hoop, Object manipulation, Russian bar, Hand walking, Urbanlining, Corde lisse, Aerial rigging, Trick roping, Wheel gymnastics, Static trapeze, Chinese pole, Professional regurgitator, Equilibristics, Hair hang, Spanish web, Adagio, Wall flip, Teeterboard, Cloud swing, Cradle, Cyr wheel, Danish pole, Globe of death, Skill toy, Isolation, Iron jaw, Multiple trapeze, Chair, Human firecracker, Risley, Rolling globe, Roman ladders, Triple trapeze. Excerpt: Impalement arts are a type of performing art in which a performer plays the role of human target for a fellow performer who demonstrates accuracy skills in disciplines such as knife throwing and archery. Impalement is actually what the performers endeavour to avoid - the thrower or marksman aims around the target rather than at him or her. The objective is to land the throw or shot as close as possible to the assistant's body without causing injury. Impalement arts are often found in circuses and sideshows as well as sometimes in variety, cabaret or burlesque shows. In addition, impalement acts have provided subject matter for literature, art, photography and film and television scripts. There are important distinctions between knife throwing or archery practised as competitive sports and similar skills displayed as impalement arts. For example, organising bodies for competitive archery prohibit activity that involves deliberate shooting in the general direction of a human being. The human target is the essential distinguishing feature of the impalement arts. It has been asserted by several sources, including well-known knife throwers, that the power and appeal of this type of act lies as much in audience appreciation of the target as in admiration of the skill of the thrower or archer. Various theories have been put forward to explain this, ranging from simple awe at the display of steely nerves and complete trust to more complex psychological and philosophical theories. While some point to overtones of sadomasochistic eroticism, others cite dramaturgical works and point to parallels with the story arc of the hero in classic drama. In particular the assistant's performance is said to mirror the plot device of the hero's ordeal, in which the hero proves his or her heroic qualities through self-sacrifice or by facing extreme peril. The target or assistant role is most often taken by a female performer, sometimes known as a target girl, who commonly wears a revealing