A 10kg king cobra provoked screams of excitement and fear during a performance at the Lao National Circus on Friday night.
The finale of the show featured an unarmed Ms Vilaiphone Phaiphivath challenging two king cobras, weighing 10kg and 6kg each. She encouraged the snakes to get angry as she danced and touched their heads.
But when it came time for the bigger snake to return to its box, it had other ideas, lurching towards the audience and causing audience members to shriek in fear as they scrambled away from it.
It was quickly bought under control, prompting relieved laughter from the crowd.
Ms Vilaiphone is a director of Phaisikham Acrobatic Troupe and has been practicing her act for a number of years. She learnt her skills from performers in Vietnam and Thailand and said it was a dangerous act because if a performer made a small mistake they risked death. She warned young people not to imitate the performance at home.
Ms Vilaiphone's act was one of 15 segments performed on July 18 and 19 as part of the joint show organised by the Lao National Circus and the privately-operated Phaisikham Acrobatic Troupe.
The event included acrobatics, magicians, clowns, balancing acts and hula hoop spinning.
Lao National Circus Troupe Director, Mrs Somchit Phomsavanh said the event was a great success.
“This event had many different performances which are unique, particularly the king cobras, and I think that's what attracted people to see the show,” Mrs Somchit said.
“I hope we can have more cooperation between the two troupes in the future by exchanging ideas and learning new techniques in acrobatics.
