1920s-style show acts: The Flying Gentleman, Cyr Wheel and Whips
A 1920s evening is all about attitude: a suit, a hat, a glass in hand, music with swing. Whether it is a Gatsby party, a Golden Twenties gala or a corporate celebration in the style of the Roaring Twenties, a show act for this format should take up exactly this world instead of simply placing acrobatics in front of it. Oscar Kaufmann brings three acts that are performed in 1920s style: The Flying Gentleman, the Cyr Wheel and the Whips act.
The Flying Gentleman: the Gatsby act on a flying hat stand
A gentleman, his hat and a hat stand that suddenly takes off. This small scene turns into an act of aerial acrobatics, humour and timing. Oscar designed and built the prop himself, and the act exists in this form only once. Because the humour comes from movement, it works without words, for German and international audiences alike.
With this act, Oscar performed in “Gatsby at the Green Light” at the Sydney Opera House, a show set in the world of The Great Gatsby. On Italian television he appeared in “Dalla Strada al Palco” on Rai 1, and in the 2026/27 season Oscar performs it at the Hansa Theater Hamburg. More about The Flying Gentleman
Cyr Wheel in 1920s style
The Cyr Wheel is a large metal ring in which Oscar spins, rolls and turns. In a 1920s costume and to swing or jazz, it becomes an elegant act in the spirit of variety and revue. In this form, the Cyr Wheel was part of “Golden Years” at the Wintergarten Varieté Berlin, a show about the Golden Twenties. If a Gatsby evening is meant to turn more modern later on, the wheel is also available as an LED Cyr Wheel with a light programme. More about the Cyr Wheel
Whips: bar, cabaret and late night
For the late hours, the bar or the cabaret part of a Gatsby party, the Whips act is the right choice: precise whip artistry with a touch of Bond flair. The highlight is the olive whipped out of the martini glass without touching the glass. More about the Whips act
Where the acts fit best in the evening
- Opening: The Flying Gentleman enters the room before the guests know the show has started.
- After dinner: 4 to 6 minutes of Cyr Wheel or Flying Gentleman to restart the evening.
- Highlight of a gala: a longer version of up to 12 minutes.
- Late evening: Whips at the bar or in the cabaret part.
Several acts can be combined in one evening: one contact person, one journey, one common thread.
Technical requirements
The Flying Gentleman: rigging point from 3 m height, 250 kg load capacity, 2 m free radius. Duration 4 to 12 minutes. Set-up and safety check about 60 minutes.
Cyr Wheel: an area of at least 5 x 5 m (smaller by arrangement), level, firm and non-slip floor, so no carpet, grass or gravel.
Whips: 5 x 5 m area, 3.5 m height, safety distance to the audience. Duration about 4 minutes.
Costume and music are adapted to the theme. With a live band, the music is sent to the musical director in advance. If there is no certified rigging point, that does not rule anything out: Oscar clarifies it with the venue or the rigger on site and, if needed, suggests the Cyr Wheel, which needs no rigging point.
Second cast
The Flying Gentleman and the Cyr Wheel have a second cast: Yura Kharchenko performs the acts in his own interpretation. This keeps them available for double bookings and long runs.
Enquiry
Tell us the date, location, ceiling height and the theme of the evening. You will receive a concrete offer promptly, with advice on which act fits where.
Which show act suits a 1920s party or Gatsby gala?
The Flying Gentleman was developed for this format: a character act in a suit and hat, aerial acrobatics on a flying hat stand, humour without words. The Cyr Wheel in 1920s style fits as well, and the Whips act works for the later part of the evening.
Is the Cyr Wheel available in 1920s style?
Yes. With a 1920s costume and swing or jazz music, the Cyr Wheel was part of “Golden Years” at the Wintergarten Varieté Berlin. For a more modern part of the evening, there is the LED Cyr Wheel.
How high does the room need to be?
For The Flying Gentleman, a rigging point from 3 m with 250 kg load capacity is enough. Many ballrooms and banquet halls meet this. The Cyr Wheel needs no rigging point, just 5 x 5 m of level floor. The Whips act needs 3.5 m of height.
Can the act be adapted to the theme?
Yes. Costume, music and length (4 to 12 minutes) are tailored to the evening, also with a live band.
What does a show act for a 1920s gala cost?
Fees are in the four-figure range. The main factors are travel, the number of performances and the technical effort. Several acts in one evening are available as a package.
Where have the acts been seen?
Among others in “Gatsby at the Green Light” at the Sydney Opera House, in “Golden Years” at the Wintergarten Varieté Berlin, on Rai 1 in “Dalla Strada al Palco” and in the 2026/27 season at the Hansa Theater Hamburg.
Planning a 1920s or Gatsby evening? Send a no-obligation enquiry now.
Date, place and occasion are enough to start. A concrete offer follows promptly by email.
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Oscar Kaufmann is a Berlin-based Cyr Wheel artist and aerialist who has been captivating audiences worldwide for more than 15 years. After graduating with top marks from the State School of Circus Arts in 2014, he has performed in more than 30 countries, including renowned productions of Cirque du Soleil and at the Sydney Opera House. This international experience shapes his deep understanding of the stage. Today he passionately shares his expertise and his worldwide network of artists.
