In this interview with Jacques ZeWhipper, he talks about how he grew up in the circus and learned to crack a whip when he was just 7 years old. After briefly leaving the circus life and spending time in radio he came back to his roots as a circus performer and has been travelling with his whip cracking act. He set the Guinness world record for most bullwhip cracks in a single minute and enjoys practising with new whips and new tricks (but not Barbie, or Freebird, or Sailor Moon, or anything by Taylor Swift). You can keep up to date with where Jacques ZeWhipper is on his tour on his social media (@Jacqueszewhipper on Instagram) or through his website: here.

Drew Janine: What would you say is the most difficult whip in length that you’ve successfully cracked? When did you start using fire whips in your show?

Jacques ZeWhipper: I would say the hardest was the 40 foot (about 13 metres) bullwhip and I actually started using fire whips in my act back in 2011/2012. I was about 22 at the time and I added them in I think after my first year out of college.

Jacques cracking the 40 ft. whip

DJ: How often do you hurt yourself with whips?

JZW: Every time I practice. I think people assume that whips hurt more than they actually do. The worst you’re going to get is a welt. You can break a bone from a whip but like a small bone and I’ve found that you really have to be trying to accomplish that.

DJ: What is the most difficult whip cracking trip you can do?

JZW: So it’s one that I’m still working on, but it’s the Four Corners where you crack a whip above your head in front of you to the right, then to the back of you to the left, then to the front of you to the left, and finally to the back of you to the right. So you’re cracking the whip in four different alternating places. I’m told it’s the most difficult whip cracking trick you can learn and it’s ten years in the making.

DJ: A few months ago you tried to beat your world record for the most bullwhip cracks in a single minute (298) how many cracks do you want to do?

JZW: I’m still a little mad that I didn’t get an even 300. But honestly the amount of time I would have to dedicate just working out to be able to do that again, because I’m pretty fit now and I did that four years ago, but I’d have to cut about half the shows that I do in a year and dedicate about 5 days a week to nothing but that. I’d also have to go back to eating 4,000 calories per day of nothing but chicken and rice and broccoli. I’m pretty happy with what I’m able to do right now (about 284) and once in a while I can go out and get pizza or ice cream.

Jacques trying to beat his world record

DJ: In your show you take song requests for whip songs. Did you ever take an improv class to help with coming up with rhymes?

JZW: No, so while I was in high school I realised it wasn’t cool to be the circus kid. So I thought okay, well I’ll be an actor. And I took some acting classes because there are so many acting classes available in New York.

Jacques attempting improv in the rain

DJ: You recently supported the show Water For Elephants on Broadway starring Paul Alexander Nolan and you allowed him to do some of your whip tricks on you. Did you rehearse this? Have you seen the show?

JZW: We did not rehearse this, no. I knew the person who made his whip that he uses in the show and it’s the same guy who makes my whips so I knew if he got me how badly it was going to hurt. And, it only took him a few tries. He was definitely more comfortable hitting the paper in my hand than my mouth. We then went out, had some dinner and saw the show later that evening.

Jacques with Paul Alexander Nolan practising whipping together

DJ: You and Ses Carny work together sometimes. Do you have a favourite memory of doing a show together?

JZW: We did this bit a little while ago where I was quoting the movie Titanic. And I said “Ses, hold me!” and we did this whole thing… until he says from behind me “Only if you draw me like one of your french girls.” I knew then that was the moment.

Jacques with Ses Carney in their rendition of Titanic

DJ: You also do an after-hours show together called “The Secret Show” but that show isn’t often seen on your social media. Can you briefly describe some of what the audience can expect in that show?

JZW: Sure so I like to call it the PG-13 show because you can expect some late-night humour. You’ll also get to experience some whip songs, Ses on the kazoo providing backup instrumentals, and some dancing.

DJ: What is the most difficult thing about being on tour?

JZW: Often people in Europe forget just how big the USA is but I’m going out on tour and starting in Colorado and I’m having to drive there from Boston. And that kind of travel really takes a toll on your body. It’s a whole day of just travel, then working the shows, then you also need a full day or two of rest.

Jacques on tour

All photos and videos are provided by Jacques ZeWhipper.

Drew Janine

Live Sound Engineer -EUROPE

Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.