A trip to Maryport to see a high wire act for research

By Susan Humphreys on Jun 3, 09 02:09 PM

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Don't look down! I loved watching this amazing double high wire walk by Sky Productions at Maryport harbour.
One of my characters in Dr Midas and the Khmers, Tomistoma, wants to be an acrobat and tightrope walker, so when I heard about a free high wire event I just had to go!
I love any excuse for a research trip and this one was to take me up to Maryport in the Lakes. My mum went along with me as she's been before to see for a pirate day which I couldn't make.
The event was called 'Walk to the Stars' and was part of Lakes Alive a fantastic arts event which included six Reach for the Sky performances by aerial acts including Corazon de Angeles which I've looked up on You Tube.
The event I chose was on Friday night at Maryport harbour and was by Ramon Kelvinck Jr and Jade Kindar-Martin (Sky Productions) from France.

The town was packed out with locals and visitors and we all craned our necks to watch the two men make their way from one side to the other 60 feet above the ground - crossing over at the half way point!
The wind was clearly blowing their shirts and the music really added to the atmosphere. Scarily they wore no safety harnesses or ropes and there was no safety net. I was able to get a real sense of the skills needed to do a high wire act and I loved the fact the two men placed a hand on each others hearts before doing their act and kissed the mast before climbing down after successfully completing it!
There were other acts on during the evening including Los Kaos - Penny Farthing stunt-riding identical twins and Bongo Bolero who wore a striking leotard.
For pictures of those and more of the high wire act visit my website www.drmidas.co.uk
When I got back I wrote up what I'd seen and felt so I can use it in my book.