20th Century Circuses in Illinois: Aerialists
Aerialists were an integral and iconic part of the circus performance. In the earliest days of the circus, performers did acrobatics on the back of horses. The tightrope and the trapeze came later, but were soon inextricably linked to the circus. Men and women both could be aerialists, working together to perform death-defying stunts. This display of the female body, which was confident, strong, and daring, was revolutionary during the early days of the 20th century.
Jules Léotard is credited as being the first trapeze artist. The first aerial show he performed was called “The Race to the Trapezes,” and took place in Paris in 1859. Before the popularization of the flying trapeze, which would become a staple in circuses, the trapeze was used for exercise in gyms or for military training.
Flying Gerardos, aerilists on trapeze, Spotlight Alley Players, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, 1952. Bob Lyhne, photographer. June 19, 1952. McLean County Museum of History.
Pictured here is Pinito del Oro, who was an aerial and trapeze artist. She and her husband, Juan Alcon, both worked in the circus. The stunts performed by del Oro were often incredibly dangerous. Del Oro’s sister was also an aerialist; both were trained by their father, but del Oro’s sister died after a fall while performing.
Aerialist Doing Head Stand on Trapeze. Sverre O. Braathen, photographer. July 2, 1956. Illinois State University.
The trapeze act was not only thrilling to audiences because of its very real danger, but because of its subversion of gender norms for the day. Male and female trapeze performers often wore nearly identical outfits, and performed similar routines. For trapeze artists, smaller builds helped them to be successful in performing their stunts. This tended to make all the performers look even more similar, and so it was often difficult for the audience to tell the men from the women during trapeze acts.
Performers in Aerial Ballet Act. Sverre O. Braathen, photographer. 1956. Illinois State University.
Pictured here are the “Flying Malkos.” This act was made up of married couple Mike Kocuik (L) and June Malcom, as well as Tony Steele. Their act name came from the combination of June and Mike’s last names. The Flying Malkos performed trapeze acts as well as acrobatics. Reportedly, one of their most famous tricks was Tony’s triple somersault.
Still from The Flying Malkos perform in Lexington, Illinois circa 1951-1959. Circa 1951. Illinois State University.