Sword swallowing is thought by many to be something only found in a sideshow tent, but Sword Swallower Thom Sellectomy has changed that by presenting his skill in a casual style with the emphasis on the comedy.
This personality driven show has delighted audiences across North America, Europe, and Australia.
With over 20 years of experience, Thom is a sure hit at any event.
PO Box 162 Westminster MD, 21158 USA
thomsellectomy@swordswallowing.com
443.789.9124
This site last updated: Tuesday August 19, 2008
No content from this site (including but not limited to photos, video and print) may be used without permission.
Unless otherwise credited all photos by Evan Young and used with permission.
All content property of Geoffrey William Cobb © 2008
Sword swallower Thom Sellectomy performs sword swallowing and other side show stunts. Including human blockhead, juggling and more.
This variety show is presented in a light hearted interactive comedy style with lots of audience participation. In fact to help prove the the sword swallowing is real Thom swallows a sword and allows and audience member to remove the sword from his throats.
Thom Sellectomy has been the sword swallower at the Arizona Renaissance Festival since 1992 and has been seen swallowing swords at street performing festivals and in comedy clubs in the USA, Canada, Iceland, Australia, the UK and Ireland.
Thom Sellectomy also performs sword swallowing as half time entertainment for arena football and NBA basketball games. How does a sword swallower make an impression on 20,000 fans? By swallowing swords on the jumbotron!
In 1983 Geoffrey Cobb visited the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and knew right away that variety entertaining was his calling. He returned home to Michigan and became involved in the renaissance festival there. He learned to juggle and be comfortable in front of an audience, and then in 1986 it was off to Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Clown College.
After Clown College, Geoffrey performed as a clown with the Clyde Beatty & Cole Bros. Circus for the 1987&1988 seasons, where he meet Mike Schneider, who taught him to be a sword swallower and perform his “human blockhead” routine. Tried of the grind of circus life, 1989 saw Geoffrey back in Michigan working a “real job” in the “real world”, while putting together his sword swallowing show.
That same year Geoffrey created his alter ego Thom Sellectomy and debuted his sword swallowing show at the Michigan Renaissance Festival.
In 1996 Geoffrey headed north to Canada to perform at Street Performer and Busker Festivals, this proved to be a pivotal moment in the development of the show. This is when Geoffrey stopped trying to be a “dashing and dangerous” type of character, and settled into his own character, a reluctant every man. This sword clown / sword swallower character helped to make the sword swallowing easier to watch and broadened its appeal.