Plate spinning
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Plate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates,
bowls Bowls, also known as lawn bowls or lawn bowling, is a sport in which the objective is to roll biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called a "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a bowling green, which may be flat (for "flat-gre ...
and other flat objects on poles, without them falling off. Plate spinning relies on the
gyroscopic A gyroscope (from Ancient Greek γῦρος ''gŷros'', "round" and σκοπέω ''skopéō'', "to look") is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotat ...
effect, in the same way a
top A spinning top, or simply a top, is a toy with a squat body and a sharp point at the bottom, designed to be spun on its vertical axis, balancing on the tip due to the gyroscopic effect. Once set in motion, a top will usually wobble for a few ...
stays upright while spinning. Spinning plates are sometimes gimmicked, to help keep the plates on the poles.


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 providing instruction for plate spinning was published in 1901.


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 plate's 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 Contortion (sometimes contortionism) is a performance art in which performers called contortionists showcase their skills of extreme physical flexibility. Contortion acts often accompany acrobatics, circus acts, street performers and other li ...
or
acrobatic Acrobatics () is the performance of human feats of balance (ability), balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sports, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most ...
skills. These usually feature performers holding several plates in each hand spinning on sticks.


Plate waltzing

Plate waltzing is where plates are spun on their edges on a table top or similar surface.


Plate juggling

Plate juggling is similar to ring juggling, a form of
Toss juggling Toss juggling is the form of juggling which is most recognisable as 'juggling'. Toss juggling can be used as: a performing art, a sport, a form of exercise, as meditation, a recreational pursuit or hobby. In toss juggling, objects — such ...
. 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

Plate spinning is also incorporated into other forms of performance arts such as dancing.


Types of spinning plate

Spinning plates (and other spinning props that are similar) have been made from a variety of materials. The first spinning plates were wooden and china but since the advent of new manufacturing techniques plates have been made of brass, steel, aluminium and plastic. The first plastic plate was produced by the Whirley Corporation in the USA in 1958. Other manufacturers produced similar products and spinning plates are now produced in many countries.


In popular culture

The tune "
Sabre Dance "Sabre Dance", ''Suserov par''; russian: Танец с саблями, ''Tanets s sablyami'' is a Movement (music), movement in the final act of Aram Khachaturian's ballet ''Gayane (ballet), Gayane'' (1942), where the Ballet dancer, dancers dis ...
" is often played in the background. Erich Brenn performed on the American television program ''
The Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television program, television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in Septembe ...
'' and other American
variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
and
talent show A talent show is an event in which participants perform the arts of singing, dancing, lip-syncing, acting, martial arts, playing an instrument, poetry, comedy or other activities to showcase skills. Many talent shows are performances rather ...
s during the early years of American television.
Tom Griswold Thomas "Tom" Bruce Griswold (born April 22, 1953) co-hosts the radio show ''The Bob & Tom Show'' together with Chick McGee, Kristi Lee, and Josh Arnold. Co-host Bob Kevoian retired at the end of 2015. This comedy-based early morning program is ...
, co-host of ''
The Bob & Tom Show ''The Bob & Tom Show'' is a syndicated US radio program established by Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold at radio station WFBQ in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 7, 1983, and syndicated nationally since January 6, 1995. Originally syndicated by Premier ...
'', 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 Charles Dean Hayes (né Fout), better known by his stage name Chick McGee, is a radio personality who appears on ''The Bob & Tom Show''. The name "Chick McGee" is a pseudonym connected with the Jack McGee character on '' The Incredible Hulk''. ...
cites as further evidence that Griswold is out of touch with contemporary entertainment. In an episode of the ''
Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, a ...
'', at the
Springfield Retirement Castle Springfield is the primary fictional setting of the American animated sitcom ''The Simpsons'' and related media. It is an average-sized, fictional city within an indeterminate state in the United States. The fictional city's geography, surroundi ...
talent show, one participant does a similar act, but uses the
dentures Dentures (also known as false teeth) are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable (removable partial denture or ...
of several of the residents. Plate spinning was often seen in
HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
'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 ''The Generation Game'' is a British game show produced by the BBC in which four teams of two people from the same family, but different generations, compete to win prizes. The game There are eight competitors, hence the catchphrase "Let's m ...
'' 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. * The
Guinness World Record ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...
for spinning multiple plates is held by David Spathaky assisted by Debbie Woolley, who spun 108 plates simultaneously on a television show in Bangkok, Thailand in 1996.


Notable plate spinners

*
Andrew Van Buren Andrew Van Buren is a British multi skilled performer, illusionist, plate spinner and showman who specialises in presenting large-scale illusions, plate spinning routines, magic, juggling and circus style skills in all type of performance venues ...
- British plate spinner and juggler. * David Spathaky - world record British plate spinner formerly of
Ra-Ra Zoo Ra-Ra Zoo was an English-based contemporary circus theatre company, active (August 1984 - September 1994), a seminal group who created self devised physical theatre performance for theatres using comedy and circus skills. Founded by Sue Broadwa ...
* Erich Brenn - American plate spinne

* Angel Bojilov Jr * Kumar Pallana * Masayuki Furuya - Japanese modern Plate spinniner.


References


External links


Learn to spin and juggle plates

Financial Times Masterclass Plate Spinning with plate spinner Andrew Van Buren

The Generation Game with Mel & Sue

BBC Generation Game Jim Davidson on Mel & Sue health and Safety of Plate Spinning

Wolfgang Bartchelly

World record plate spinning
{{Object manipulation Circus skills