BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS , ENGLAND --- THE FUDIS

While on holiday this year I went to see George Zsilak and wife (The Fudis) perform at Blackpool Tower Circus, England.  I met them both after the show and was made very welcome. They invited me to come and practice with them the next day which proved to be a great experience for me as I have never practiced with any other jugglers other than my sons.

In practice I saw George do a 6 club juggle, 8 ring juggle and for the very first time my clubs were treated with a perfect 5 club cascade by George proving to me that my homemade clubs can't be blamed for my poor 5 club crashes.  I also saw George & his wife do flawless 7 and 8 club passing using double turns and although they didn't attempt a 9 club juggle I am positive they are working on it.

I picked up a lot of juggling hints and help and after swinging a few clubs about George had me doing a 7 club juggle with him for the first time ever, my best run being 14 throws. I must admit although my double spins and throws were wild his throws to me were as if he placed each club in my hand, needless to say every time the seven club chain was broken it was me who tied them in a knot at my end.

--The Fudis act as I saw it -­

He starts with 4, 5 and 6 rings with many variations and pirouettes then he goes into a 7 ring cascade finishing with all rings neatly stacked around his neck, his wife hands him each additional ring from the back as if he were wearing a ring holster.

He then starts with a 5 club juggle for about 15 seconds, throws one out of the juggle to his wife and does a routine with 4 clubs which includes treble splits and a 4 club shower with each club doing 4 turns each throw, then straight Into a 6 club juggle with his wife, with George doing pirouettes and catching clubs behind his back while still passing. His wife then goes into a very graceful 3 club routine which terminates with both doing a seven club pass. The act is completed with a very fast 3 club routine from George which includes horizontal spins on his head, chin balances, not to mention his continuous one foot kick ups both feet without the clubs appearing to touch the ground and doing one turn on the way down to his foot.

For me it was a very smart, polished, high speed juggling act which I would have had to see in slow motion to take it all in.

George Zsllak and wife leave England for East Germany after the 13th October when Blackpool Tower Circus season ends. Next year they will be working In Switzerland.

-LINDSAY LESLIE