How does it really feel to interrupt a document day after day?
Wesley Williams, a performer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, is aware of a factor or two. The “One Wheel Marvel” takes a spin on the tallest rideable unicycle on the earth with every present, at a whopping 34.6 toes tall.
Williams didn’t come from a household of entertainers. His curiosity in performing was ignited by a easy Christmas current and a fascinating circus present.
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“After I was 6 years outdated, I acquired a unicycle for Christmas. I realized how one can journey, after which my dad and mom took me to see Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, which was in my hometown, simply exterior of Miami,” Williams advised Fox Information Digital in particular person throughout a tour cease in Worcester, Massachusetts.
“I sort of simply bear in mind one second, and that was when the curtain opened [to] the magic of the circus, and I feel I used to be hooked proper then.”
Wesley Williams is “The One Wheel Marvel of Ringling.” He rides a large number of unicycles in the course of the present, together with the world’s tallest. (Fox Information Digital)
With a unicycle and a dream, a younger Williams set off into the world of performing, starting at a lot smaller scale occasions than the circus he is part of now.
“I began doing birthday events — [my] first birthday celebration once I was 8 years outdated,” he stated.
“I saved getting extra. I used to be really South Florida’s funniest child, a contest placed on by Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, and I gained that. Then, I acquired to be part of Ringling for a few totally different occasions, visitor performances, however my coronary heart was at all times set on being part of it,” he added.
“I traveled all world wide with varied high-level reveals.”
Earlier than turning into a Ringling performer, Williams spent a few years performing with different reveals, he ended up being scouted by Kenneth Feld, the CEO of Feld Leisure, which operates many reveals, together with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
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“I traveled all world wide with varied high-level reveals. What I used to be acting at when Kenneth Feld noticed me was mainly a circus competitors of the perfect of the perfect world wide,” stated Williams.
“It is in Monte Carlo in Monaco, held by the Princess of Monaco.”
He added, “It is sort of humorous as a result of I reside lower than three hours away from the place Feld headquarters is, the place Ringling Brothers is predicated now, and it took going to the opposite facet of the world to search out me and to attach.”
Williams is a serious presence within the Ringling present, using across the stage on a wide range of distinctive unicycles.
Whereas all of the unicycles take nice expertise to journey, his largest feat of the present is a record-breaking one.
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“I really break a document on daily basis right here at Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey,” Williams stated.
“This unicycle peak that you just see within the present is increased, about 14 toes increased than what the document was earlier than I broke it the primary time. So again in 2020, I broke it for the primary time. The document was, I imagine, 19 toes, and I broke it at 29 toes. Then I re-broke it at 31. Now right here within the present on daily basis, you may see 34.6 toes.”
Despite the fact that using a unicycle excessive above the group is just not one thing new for Williams, the sensation he experiences of being three tales within the air is one which by no means will get outdated for the performer, he stated.
“Right here for us at Ringling, the extraordinary is the extraordinary.”
“Whenever you stand up three tales within the air, and also you look down, that by no means will get outdated, however clearly you get extra comfy with what you are doing,” he stated.
“However you at all times must respect that, as a result of in a single second, that might change from a gentle journey to one thing that might change your life in a second.”
He continued, “You at all times get that thrill, that viewers adrenaline whenever you stand up there, as a result of that is one thing they’ve by no means seen earlier than … I’ve to keep in mind that I see this on daily basis. I see the extraordinary on daily basis, and right here for us at Ringling, the extraordinary is the extraordinary.”
Wesley Williams turned impressed to hitch the circus after seeing a present at 6 years outdated. Now, the roles have reversed, and he’s the one who can encourage. (Fox Information Digital)
“Now we have to recollect what it was for us to stroll within the constructing the primary time and see this ginormous set, see these performers for the primary time,” Williams stated.
“That first time you see it, that pleasure, that pleasure that’s all captured for the primary time for these viewers members.”
Williams is continually impressed by different acts he sees and the world round him.
“You do not accept what you could have now — you are at all times trying to the subsequent factor.”
He’s at all times looking out for something distinctive and attention-grabbing he can work into his act, he stated.
“This scissor unicycle elevate really got here from a pal of mine who did an act, and I noticed them at a competition. They gained gold,” Williams stated.
“My mind’s at all times turning, that is my drawback,” he joked. “I at all times wish to create challenges for myself, however that is the way you change into the perfect … You do not accept what you could have now — ou’re at all times trying to the subsequent factor.”
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Williams’ journey of operating with the circus all began with inspiration. One present at 6 years outdated paved the way in which for a profession as a performer.
Right now, Williams evokes many who go to the circus, which he considers his favourite a part of being a performer.
“I used to be impressed once I was six years outdated,” Williams stated. “There’s a lot happening on this modern-day and age. All people has their very own issues. However whenever you come to Ringling for 2 hours, you’ll be able to drop your issues on the door, and simply have easy enjoyable, and I feel that is what this present is. It is loopy. It is busy. It is nonstop, but it surely’s enjoyable.”
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