It was stand for to be a jaw - dropping circus deed . As the lights go up in the arena , the tending of 6,500 spectators turned to eight acrobat hanging by their hair high above the floor .
Then , just as cursorily as the aery operation began , it terminate . The aerial performers and the heavy dome - shape rigging from which they were freeze plummeted 30 feet , result in serious injuries to the aerialists and another performer below . On that day , being part of a " human chandelier " was the most grave caper at the circus [ source : Steele ] .
But this note can vary . Fromlion tamingto stunt flying , there ’s no shortage of danger . In fact , for many audience member , seeing performing artist attempt touch-and-go and daring act is part of the appealingness . The amusement , however , comes at a damage .
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) , there were 35 death among all performing arts companies in the United States in 2013 , the latest class for which data is available . Circus performing artist fall within the " perform arts " category . The numeral of describe deaths is down from 40 in 2012 , 49 in 2011 and 50 in 2010 . In gain , an estimated 7.2 out of every 100 full - time workers in the industriousness became injured or ill in 2013 , up from 5.2 in 2012 [ informant : BLS ] .
As for pin down down the most serious circus job , take your pick . Nearly any performance could bend injurious in a split up irregular . Take the daredevil tight rope act once execute by the " Flying Wallenda " family , for exercise . Beginning in 1948 , the family ’s act involved constructing a human Pyramids of Egypt atop a thin high conducting wire during circuses . With four valet de chambre as the base , the family would balance a 2d level of two more humanity atop shoulder joint beams and then a third tier composed of a woman atop a professorship . It work well until 1962 , when someone ’s terms failed and the performing artist plummeted to the venue level . Two conk , one was paralyzed and the rest performed again the next night [ source : Lammie ] . The show must go on , it seems .
Other acts , including equestrian trick riders , elephantriders and trapeze artists face harm every time they perform . To maximize their safety , many pop practicing their performances low and slow . They practise at manageable pinnacle and speed , increase the hazard as they master the performance at mitt , taking reward of safety gear as they ’re able . It ’s not a fail - proof method , but it ’s safer than the alternative .
