I realise that most of you are on your phones but I recommend that you use a computer or laptop if you can, as there is a lot of writing, photos and videos. I'm sure there have been lots of other acts like this in the past and the present but in this article, we shall be looking at seven, aerial spinning acts that share many similarities: acrobatics, iron jaw, trapeze and a large, spinning rocket!
Act 1
Soviet circus act called the “Flying Torpedo” by Valentina & Mikhail Duklass. I don't have any information about them but they performed together from at least 1936-1940.
Act 2
Russian duo, Ionova & Reznikov were known as “air gymnasts”.
I don't know a lot about Reznikov, though I do know of other artists with the same name.
Lydia Ionova was also a trapeze artist, a member of the famous, Russian dancing group Beryozka, and she was married to Khosrov Abdullayev.
Together they performed an illusion act.
Here is Ionova & Reznikov in the 1955 film, Arena of the Brave:
https://youtu.be/HDAIApVj1c4?si=hGlhmZlz_12YXhsr&t=4251
Act 3
Russian duo, Lisin and Sinkovskaya.
Viktor Lisin (1913-1975) and Elena Sinkovskaya (1911-1994).
Viktor began his circus career as a gymnast in 1930, performing solo for two years.
Elena became a trapeze artist in 1922 at the age of 11.
They performed together as a married couple from 1932.
In 1941 at the Odessa Circus, they first performed their number, “Aerial Acrobats on a Flying Torpedo”. Other act names included, “Looping”, “Cycle Circle”, “Circle in a Circle” and “Rocket Flight”.
They were both awarded, Honoured Artist of the RSFSR in 1947.
Original tricks: Elena hanging on her knees, held a ring in her teeth, and in it, during a rapid flight – the rotation of a rocket – Lisin balanced, standing on his head – a trick that had not been performed by anyone before. They stopped performing the act in 1965.
Here's a short video of their act (1 min 50 seconds):
https://youtu.be/7RxMMbwl1FA?si=0w778gwuRRBkWOQf
Here's a 3 minute video showing photos of their act in the 1950s:
https://youtu.be/c0c10J9_h9c?si=c2-SidTRyqa2ZDnX
Act 4
Russian duo Emma and Maria Biryukov, were the wives of the brothers, Boris and Stuar, whose father was Konstantin Biryukov.
Viktor Lisin and Elena Sinkovskaya gave Emma and Maria their rocket and Viktor spent two years training them how to perform the show. The young artists, under the guidance of renowned masters, prepared an excellent act which was included in the very first tour of the Soviet circus in Israel in 1968.The interchangeability of performers, rare in this genre, was striking. Maria and Emma switched places all the time. They performed the aerial act for almost a decade, when tragedy suddenly struck in the blink of an eye. Emma fell to the concrete floor outside the arena barrier. This happened in the Omsk Circus on January 5th, 1978. Without regaining consciousness, Emma died on January 7th. She was buried in Moscow at the Vostryakovsky cemetery.
Known as air gymnasts, here's Lisin and Sinkovskaya from Russia (Viktor Lisin and Elena Sinkovskaya), with their original number, “aerial acrobats on a flying torpedo”.
https://youtu.be/7RxMMbwl1FA
Act 5
In 1965, Gerry 'Sebastian' Russell, who grew up in Sussex, was employed at an Irish circus where he crossed paths with his future wife, Joan, who was a dancer in the show. Joan, from southern Scotland, also contributed to a pigeon act and showcased her juggling skills. Following their meeting, Gerry and Joan tied the knot and welcomed two children, Paul and Alison. Over the ensuing years, Gerry honed various circus acts, such as the Washington Trapeze, Sword and Dagger balancing, High Wire, Handstand Acrobatics and Cloudswing. However, Gerry became particularly renowned for his 'Supernova Rocket' act. This act featured a rotating rocket with a trapeze bar underneath, and Gerry's daughter Alison, a young teenager at the time, collaborated with him on the trapeze, while Joan operated the prop at ground level with a remote control. Gerry designed the rocket support and played a significant role in its construction in Denmark.
Here's a video (2 min 50 seconds) of Gerry and Alison performing in Spain at the Festival Mundial del Circo in 1979:
https://youtu.be/wq7GP4Sevjw?si=egnt0t7CbD1Ajfp
Here's a video (6 min 20 seconds) of Gerry and Alison performing at Billy Smart's Circus:
https://youtu.be/EQm5uUxqH7o?si=w76ITi35yc1qIzX
Act 6
John Pablo Garcia bought the rocket from Gerry 'Sebastian' Russell and John and his wife, Vickki Fossett Garcia, perform as Duo Garcia.
Here's a video (4 min 35 seconds) of Duo Garcia performing at Circo Massimo:
https://youtu.be/a2wmtcWjkpA?si=IbrrXraPf_Iww_61
Here's a video (7 min 37 seconds) of Duo Garcia performing at Gandeys Circus in 2023:
https://youtu.be/6xHcS6pMrJI?si=Egjm9oX7piSgpoId
Act 7
Vickki & Pablo's sons AKA Garcia Brothers, Antonio and Connor, are multi-skilled circus performers who are continuing with the Rocket show.
Here's a video (6 mins) of the Garcia Brothers performing at Gandeys Circus in 2023:
https://youtu.be/UFy4Ik441HA?si=r3FOXDwJnyEVHrrC
Photo Descriptions
1: Soviet circus poster for the Flying Torpedo act by Valentina & Mikhail Duklass 1936.
2 & 3: Valentina & Mikhail Duklass 1940.
4 & 5: Ionova and Reznikov 1955.
6-9: Viktor Lisin and Elena Sinkovskaya.
10: Emma and Maria Biryukov.
11: Circus artist Emma Biryukova (1947-1978).
12-14: Supernova Rocket act.
15: Gerry 'Sebastian' Russell & Joan Russell 1974.
16-19: Gerry 'Sebastian' Russell in South Africa and Edinburgh in the early 1970s at a publicity stunt and performing with Alison at an outdoor event.
20: Gerry with his daughter, Alison, under the rocket.
21: Gerry and Joan Russell 2016.
22-29: Duo Garcia – John Pablo Garcia and Vickki Fossett Garcia.
30: Garcia Brothers Rocket Show – Antonio and Connor Garcia.
Everything in this article has come from the internet, though I'm sure that a lot of this will also be written in books. If you think I've missed any vital information, got anything wrong or you'd just like to share some of your own stories on this theme, then please say so in the comments. Please also let me know if you've enjoyed reading and learning about this. Thanks. Enjoy!
