Page 19 - All About History 48 - 2017 UK
P. 19

GATHER THE PROPS


                                                                                       Props such as sticks, whips and pistols – usually
                                                                                       loaded with blanks – were often just for show, or for
                                                                                       use as a last resort if things went wrong. However,
                                                                                       American cat trainer Clyde Beatty’s act also
                                                                                       required a chair. The lions became confused by
                                                                                       its four legs, unsure which one to focus on, and so
                                                                                       were successfully distracted from lashing out.

                                                                                       THE MAIN EVENT


                                                                                       Some lion tamers tried to cram as many cats into
                                                                                       their act as possible, with as many as 12 lions and
                                                                                       tigers in the ring at once, sometimes forming an
                                                                                       animal pyramid. Others focused on spectacular
                                                                                       stunts with individual creatures, getting them to
                                                                                       walk on tightropes, jump through hoops of fire and
                                                                                       even ride a horse.

                                                                                       SHOCKING STUNTS

                                                                                       While many lion tamers kept a safe distance
                                                                                       between themselves and their animals, others got
                                                                                       up-close and personal in an effort to really wow
                                                                                       the crowds. Russian performer Irina Bugrimova
                                                                                       often fed the lions from her own mouth, reclined
                                                                                       on their backs and rode with them on a trapeze or
                                                                                       motorcycle. Mabel Stark’s act also saw her appear to
                                                                                       brawl with a beast in the ring.

                                                                                       DISASTER STRIKES

                                                                                       Although most performances ended without
                                                                                       incident, occasionally the lions would rebel against
                                                                                       their trainer. This usually resulted in a few minor
                                                                                       scratches and bite marks, but after one particularly
                                                                                       vicious attack, Mabel Stark was left with her boots
                                                                                       full of blood and wounds that required 378 stitches.
                                                                                       Nevertheless, she returned to the ring just a few
                                                                                       weeks later.
                                                                                       THE SHOW MUST GO ON


                                                                                       Even when the animals lashed out, the trainers did
                                                                                       their best to keep calm and not panic the audience
                                                                                       for fear that their act would be cancelled or their
                                                                                       beloved animals would be killed. Stark famously
                                                                                       finished one performance with her arm hanging
                                                                                       limp from a tiger bite, but always insisted an attack
                                                                                       was the fault of the trainer, never the cat.

                                                                                        On command, this lion
                                                                                         leaps between two
                                                                                         ladders to the wonder
                                                                                          and amazement of
                                                                                            the crowd







                                                                                                                                © Alamy


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