Trapeze

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An acrobat below a balloon

Trapeze artists, in lithograph by Calvert Litho. Co., 1890.

This article is about the aerial acrobatics apparatus. For other uses, see Trapeze (disambiguation).

Trapeze is the overall name for a collection of closely related aerial apparatus. All trapezes are horizontal cross-bars used by acrobats (more specifically, "aerialists"). It is often popularly associated with circuses.

The trapeze is a short bar that is hung by two cords from a support higher up; when these cords and the support are included, the trapeze is shaped like a trapezoid.

Common forms of the trapeze include:

Static trapeze refers to a trapeze act in which the performer moves around the bar and ropes while the bar itself stays mostly in place.

Swinging trapeze refers to an act done while the trapeze swings. The performer builds up swing from a still position, and uses the momentum of the swing to make the moves easier and more exciting.

Flying trapeze refers to a trapeze act where a performer, or "flyer," grabs the trapeze bar and jumps off a high platform, or pedestal board, so gravity creates the swing. The swing's parts are the cast out at the far end of the first swing, the beat back and rise as the performer swings back above the pedestal board, and then the trick is thrown at the far end of the second swing. The performer often releases the bar and is caught by another performer, the "catcher," who hangs by his knees on another trapeze, or sometimes on a cradle, which can be either stationary or also swinging. A flyer rarely weighs more than about 150 pounds to avoid damaging the catcher's shoulders, although people of any size are able to execute basic trapeze maneuvers. Flying trapeze is done over a net, or occasionally over water for a special exhibition. Unlike the dramatic moment in the movie, "Trapeze," it is NEVER done over hard ground.

The flying trapeze was invented in the late 19th Century in France by Jules Léotard. He did his moves from one swinging trapeze to another that had been released by his father who was standing on a platform. He is also said to have invented the full length skin tight costume that now bears his name.

The flying trapeze and its association with circuses was made even more popular by the 1867 George Leybourne song "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze", which was based on the success of trapeze artist Jules Léotard. One of the greatest flyers of all time is Alfredo Codona of Mexico who set standards of skill and style in the 1920's that many aspire to and few achieve.

Washington trapeze, also known as "Heavy Trapeze" refers to a variation on static and swinging trapeze where a performer performs a headstand on the bar.

Dance trapeze, also known as Single-point trapeze, refers to a low mounted trapeze used by many modern dance companies. The ropes of the trapeze are together attached to a swivel, allowing the trapeze to spin.

Doubles trapeze is a variation of static trapeze or swinging trapeze and features two performers working together and performing figures together on the same trapeze.

Multiple trapeze refers to a number of different shapes and sizes of trapeze, including Double Trapeze, Triple Trapeze and larger multiples designed for use by multiple simultaneous flyers. Shaped Trapezes are apparatus that can take virtually any shape imaginable.