Bryson Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Has anyone here had any experience of aerialists and the use of silks onstage? I have a show coming up where the performers use a long silk cloth as a means to climb up and down, drop - you've seen the sort of thing on the little BBC stings that they play before each show. The cloth they want to use (about 20m of the stuff) is not fireproof. In fact, it is very much not fireproof. In the usual test, I had to withdraw my hand very quickly to prevent it from being burnt. They're claiming that they don't need to fireproof it, and that there is no alternative fabric available. I, on the other hand, am trying to refer them to our licence conditions. What is going on here? Surely this must have been approached and dealt with before? Can anyone who's had thios situation before help me out here? I can't believe that anyone lets them have 20m of highly flammable fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dave Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Might be able to help here - did some of this 2 weeks ago and am doing another one this week (loads in tomorrow) From what I discovered on the last job, the girls are very specific on the silks they use and normally even own and travel with their silks. Supprisingly they like to know that they have been looked after. I'm not sure if the girls are there tomorrow or wednesday but when they turn up, I'll ask. In the mean time, it might be worth a call to Circus Space as this is where most of the girls train and they might be able to shed some more light on the matter. I'll report back if I manage to find out any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 The people who will really know about this one are:CircomediaBritannia RoadKingswoodBristolBS15 8DBtel. +44 (0)117 947 7288fax +44 (0)117 947 7288 I'm going there soon, but probably not quick enough for you. Give them a ring - they really know what the score is on H&S aspects as this is all they do - teach people to hang from trapezes, high wires etc. paul their web site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Unless he sees this first and responds, it might be worth getting in touch with "bythesea.33" - he's just up the road from you, and I know for a fact that he had three such aerialists in his venue just over a year ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 Working with two aerialists at the moment. They do bring their own silks (it's not actually silk that aerialists use; it's cotton I think) and rigging equipment, and I'm always careful to make them do their own rigging, although I do check it to my own satisfaction as well. These two have new silks, and they do have a fireproofing label on it. I barely glanced at it before they covered the label with white gaffer this morning, but I can find out where they came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 From a previous post note the item about pyro.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkySteve Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 have in fact just finished a job with exactly the same kind of act. two ladies (lovely flexible ladies) who bring their own silks and our riggers provided the hardware. silks weren't fireproofed as this effects the livety(sp.) of the silk but as their performance was done within a designated area specifically for that event this was deemed acceptable. Both silks went through thorough visual checks before and after use and at no point came within any unsafe distance to flames... hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trussmonkey Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 talk to the circus space in hoxton square. they will know the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolvesAndi Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 sorry to same the same thing, We've had this act a few tines and they are always fireproofed the silks, and they have all the certs for the rigging. To say that they cant fireproof is not all true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bythesea.33 Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Unless he sees this first and responds, it might be worth getting in touch with "bythesea.33" - he's just up the road from you, and I know for a fact that he had three such aerialists in his venue just over a year ago. indeed we did, and 4 months ago as well.due to the height of the bit they were performing in, we had to buy 3 x 30m silks for them. And they were definitely flame proofed. However, they are still rigged at the moment - so may be a little dusty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I have been to circomedia today and asked them about silks. The common type is a mix of cotton and a polymer based product. It stretches one way, but not the other. It isn't fireproof as bought, and they tell me it gets proofed by each company when needed. They seemed very aware of the need for proofing and were surprised anyone using silks aloft hadn't done it and kept the paperwork. while talking about them - they have rather a nice truss system - my phone picture is not too hot - sorry.http://www.limelight.org.uk/circomedia.jpghttp://www.limelight.org.uk/circomedia2.jpgfixed and full size flying trapeze in their converted church in Bristol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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