Chris Cross

‘Crazy’ Chris Cross is a contortionist, escapologist and close-up magician. At the moment he is gearing himself up for a challenge against former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson. Read more about that HERE.

We’ve had the rare opportunity to ask a few questions in the lead up to the contest of strength.

‘‘I’m Confident I will Succeed and that my Strength will Overcome that of Tyson’s –
I’m in TOP Form to Exceed his Wrath though It will be good to see what the Old Chap’s got left in him –
I’m looking forward to a Fun Night and I’m sure Tyson will be a Good Fun Team Player too…”

You’ve challenged Mike Tyson to tie you up so you can test your escapism skills. Until now, who has given you your biggest challenge?

Convincing my Catholic Girlfriend that I’m a Nice Boy. Other than that, I’ve performed Upside Down Straitjacket Escapes off bridges over rivers, Escaped from falling onto a pit of Spikes in Athens on TV,
I’ve filled my venue rammed night after night for the last few years at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (given that there’s thousands of shows happening EVERY DAY of the Fringe, that’s not bad going rising to that challenge!!)
My Next Edinburgh Fringe Run is actually next week!

COME SEE ME FOR FREE!! – ‘‘Chris Cross – LOOSE CANNON”
19th – 25th August at The Globe Bar on Niddry St, each evening at 23:00 til Midnight
ALSO: ‘‘CHRIS CROSS RISES” at Tron Kirk Venue on Southbridge on 23rd, 24th & 25th 19:45 – 20:45

Trash talk is pretty common in boxing. Have you got any you want to throw at Tyson before the test?

I have no ‘Trash Talk’
Just Honesty – I’m young and he isn’t.
I’m gonna get out of this Straitjacket.
He will tie it up tight I’m sure – No doubt about it.
My ribs could break, my arms could pop out, my breathing will be limited –
BUT I’m getting out of it if it’s the last thing I do. My strength AND stamina will prevail.

Now I’m certainly sure Tyson is a Mighty Nice Guy –
EVEN though he LOOKS mean what with that 90’s tribal tattoo aside his left eye…
But have you ever seen a grown man cry? Ever seen a man not afraid to die?
Look at CROSS – not afraid of a loss,
Confident and Strong waiting for the bang of that gong,
Waiting to conquer – 5,4,3,2,1 DONE – Out in 90secs – Doesn’t take long!
He’s got out the Jacket – The Crowd makes a Racket – Winner takes all – The Champ takes a Fall…

After Tyson, is there anyone else you would like to have tie you up?

Indeed there is! I’d love Eva Mendes to strap me up wearing the gear she wears in The Spirit! Back of the Net man.
On a serious note though, I’d LOVE Hulk Hogan to help me with a stunt. Obviously I’d want him to rip his vest in half before he did any of the tying.

You’ve performed for royalty, but who have you been most excited/interested in performing for?

I am a Royalist so I have to admit it’s continually VERY exciting when I perform for the British Monarchy.
I enjoyed performing with Alice Cooper last year on site at Hyde Park Calling too in London, that was great.
I was booked for Boy George’s 50th Birthday Party too – It’s always fun to entertain the Stars & Celebrities.
There’s some really interesting and talented people out there so it’s FANTASTIC to sit down, show them some card tricks and have a banter with them!

Is there anyone you would like to do a show for or with?

Indeed there is – THOUSANDS of people I’d love to perform with!!
I mean imagine bringing the Queen on stage and cutting her in half in a magic box. That would be CLASS!
It would have been great to have performed with all my heroes but most of them are deceased –
Planning a Stunt with Evel Knievel, Doing a sketch with Charlie Chaplin, Performing a Stunt with Houdini, Escaping from Chains on Stage with Michael Jackson Singing BEAT IT!
SO MANY COOL POSSIBILIES. I’d love to collaborate with interesting fellow performers more.

At what age did you discover your skills? Would you recommend the career to youngsters?

I’ve always been able to move my body in an unthinkably unnatural manner. Ever since I was a kid.
As for the Card tricks I starting learning when I was 10yrs old and never looked back really. Just forwards. Apart from when I’m reversing my car.
I recommend chasing dreams to youngsters or oldsters – not any specific career though if this is the career you dream of doing, as it was mine, then go for it kid – life’s too short not to…

Do you have any role models in or out of the profession?

My Role Models, Idols, Inspirational Figures, whatever you like to call them…
All Great Business People, Show People & Creatively Talented at what they did to a Degree of Genius. Quite Simply.
– Charlie Chaplin
– Harry Houdini
– Evel Knievel
– Michael Jackson
– Fred Astaire

If you weren’t a contortionist and escapist, what would you be doing?

I think I wouldn’t be doing!
You know, I love to find old treasures –
I’d probably do house clearances or be an archeologist!!

Is there any history of contortionism in your family?

As far as I know I am the ONLY Freak –
But I don’t want to ask my mum too many intimate questions…

At a guess, how many badly recorded videos taken on mobile phones do you think there are of you on Youtube?

Probably a few hundred like. They just keep on a comin!
There are SOME well recorded vids too though: WorldWidePerformer

Have you ever Googled yourself and found anything interesting or shocking?

Of Course – Weekly!
It’s part of the job – Researching and Promoting, Etc. There’s two words to Show-business.
There’s the Show and then there’s the Business. You can’t have one without the other. Not if you want Success from this game.
Got to keep WELL on the ball with everything – from current affairs to someone who’s fainted on the front row to performer ‘polotics’

What kind of challenges can we expect/hope to see in the future?

MORE of them. Suggestions? [email protected]

Do you consider your ability to be a superpower? What would your superhero name be?

No – just TOTAL TRAINING. Haha who am I kidding? Course it is. I’m Chris Cross – SHAZAM! LOL.
I do very much adore Comic Books though. There’s one actually called ‘The Amazing Adventures of The Escapist’ – Check it out!
Stan Lee is MINT. I want to have a Cup of Earl Grey with him sometime.

By Lewis Roe

@CrackingAce