Corde lisse

Corde lisse is an aerial circus skill or act that involves acrobatics on a vertically hanging rope. The name is French for "smooth rope". In English-speaking parts of the world, it is also referred to as "aerial rope".

Description

Corde lisse moves are normally a combination of held postures and drops using a rope that hangs from the ceiling. These ropes are normally made from soft cotton about 30-35mm thick. The technique is closely related to both silks, (another aerial circus skill performed on one or two long strips of strong fabric, often in bright colours), and Spanish web. It requires great skill and strength. Performers do not have any kind of safety net or safety line, relying on their own strength and ability to prevent a fall.

It is possible for two (or more) people to perform on the same rope, although more than two is rare. The performers can hang off each other or be at different heights on the rope.

The most famous use of aerial circus skills such as these has been for the BBC's test-card. Cirque du Soleil also uses corde lisse, aerial silks and trapeze in some of their shows. There are many schools and circus centers that teach rope throughout the world.

Corde lisse skills

There is no single naming convention for the skills on a corde lisse. Below is a list of names of moves, some of which are similar to the gymnastic equivalent, or which are a partial description of the move (e.g. double foot tie). This is by no means a complete list, as people are discovering and inventing new moves all the time.

Some solo moves

Back Balance
Front Balance
Arabesque
Basic upside-down hang
Basqules
Beats
Big knot
Crochet
Crucifixion
Dive
Double foot tie
Fan
Flag
Front flip
Hang
Hip key
Hip wrap knot
Horizontal flip
Knee lock
Knee lock slide
Lean out
Leg wraps (same and opposite side, left and right leg)
Loop
Miracle split
One arm hang
Piston
Rope climb (up and down)
Salto
Skip drop
Spider
Tempo swing
Windmills
C-Shape Roll-Ups

Some doubles moves

Angel
Ankle hang
Double swan
Flower
Front balance
Leg catch

In popular culture

In Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins (2005) there is a scene where Bruce and his parents go to the theatre. On the stage there are a group of performers doing wheel down's on Corde Lisse that remind Bruce of bats, scaring him, and causing the family to leave. After the leave is when Bruce's parents are killed.

References

Aerial Arts FAQ