Plate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates, bowls and other flat objects on poles, without them falling off. Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect, in the same way a top stays upright while spinning. Spinning plates are sometimes gimmicked, to help keep the plates on the poles.[1]
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. [1]
Types of plate spinning
Modern plastic spinning plate
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
Rack 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
Chinese multiple plate spinning
Many Chinese acrobatics troupes feature plate spinning, usually in combination with contortion or acrobatic 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. 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 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.[2][3]
The tune "Sabre Dance" is often played in the background. Erich Brenn performed on the American television program The Ed Sullivan Show and other American variety and talent shows during the early years of American television. Tom Griswold, co-host of The Bob & Tom Show, 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 cites as further evidence that Griswold is out of touch with contemporary entertainment. In an episode of the Simpsons, at the Springfield Retirement Castle talent show, one participant does a similar act, but uses the dentures of several of the residents. Plate spinning was often seen in HBO'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 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.[4]
The Guinness World Record 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.
Masayuki Furuya - Japanese modern Plate spinniner.[3]
References
^ abcd"The Art of Plate Spinning · IJA". IJA. 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^"The Invention and Reinvention of the Plastic Spinning Plate: Part 1 · IJA". IJA. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^ ab"The Invention and Reinvention of the Plastic Spinning Plate: Part 2 · IJA". IJA. 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^"Most people spinning plates simultaneously". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plate spinning.
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
May 04, 2023
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Plate spinning is a circus manipulation art where a person spins plates bowls and other flat objects on poles without them falling off Plate spinning relies on the gyroscopic effect in the same way a top stays upright while spinning Spinning plates are sometimes gimmicked to help keep the plates on the poles 1 Plate SpinnersContents 1 History 2 Types of plate spinning 2 1 Horizontal plate spinning 2 1 1 Rack or table plate spinning 2 1 2 Dynamic plate spinning 2 2 Acrobatic plate spinning 2 3 Plate waltzing 2 4 Plate juggling 2 5 Plate spinning and other skills 3 Types of spinning plate 4 In popular culture 5 Records 6 Notable plate spinners 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditPlate 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 1 Types of plate spinning Edit Modern plastic spinning plate 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 Edit 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 Edit Rack 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 Edit 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 Edit Chinese multiple plate spinning Many Chinese acrobatics troupes feature plate spinning usually in combination with contortion or acrobatic skills These usually feature performers holding several plates in each hand spinning on sticks Plate waltzing Edit Plate waltzing is where plates are spun on their edges on a table top or similar surface Plate juggling Edit Plate juggling is similar to ring juggling a form of Toss juggling 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 Edit Plate spinning and dance in Sri Lanka Plate spinning is also incorporated into other forms of performance arts such as dancing Types of spinning plate EditSpinning 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 2 3 In popular culture Edit Chinese Plate Spinners at Carnaval Festival Efteling The tune Sabre Dance is often played in the background Erich Brenn performed on the American television program The Ed Sullivan Show and other American variety and talent shows during the early years of American television Tom Griswold co host of The Bob amp Tom Show 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 cites as further evidence that Griswold is out of touch with contemporary entertainment In an episode of the Simpsons at the Springfield Retirement Castle talent show one participant does a similar act but uses the dentures of several of the residents Plate spinning was often seen in HBO 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 would regularly feature a plate spinner demonstrating his skills then inviting the contestants to attempt it During the 1960s amp 1970s German Performer Wolfgang Bartschelly popularised plate spinning and regularly appeared on television Records EditThe most peoples spinning plates at the same time is 1026 people at an event opening Sportcampus in Utrecht Netherlands on 25th September 2007 4 The Guinness World Record 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 EditAndrew Van Buren British plate spinner and juggler David Spathaky world record British plate spinner formerly of Ra Ra Zoo Erich Brenn American plate spinner 1 Angel Bojilov Jr 1 Kumar Pallana 1 Masayuki Furuya Japanese modern Plate spinniner 3 References Edit a b c d The Art of Plate Spinning IJA IJA 2015 05 25 Retrieved 2021 02 28 The Invention and Reinvention of the Plastic Spinning Plate Part 1 IJA IJA 2019 09 09 Retrieved 2021 02 28 a b The Invention and Reinvention of the Plastic Spinning Plate Part 2 IJA IJA 2019 09 27 Retrieved 2021 02 28 Most people spinning plates simultaneously Guinness World Records Retrieved 2021 02 28 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plate spinning Learn to spin and juggle plates Financial Times Masterclass Plate Spinning with plate spinner Andrew Van Buren The Generation Game with Mel amp Sue BBC Generation Game Jim Davidson on Mel amp Sue health and Safety of Plate Spinning Wolfgang Bartchelly World record plate spinning Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Plate spinning amp oldid 1099108241, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,