By Becky Maxedon

An entertainer making his first appearance at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire and Joust presented by Anderson Toyota this weekend is sure to please when he takes the stage.

Jacques Ze Whipper brings his unique act to Lake Havasu in which he combines comedy, music and whip cracking.

Whip cracking?

Yes.

“We’re gonna do some whip cracking. We’re gonna do some song singing. We’re gonna maybe combine the two to make the whips make the beats,” Ze Whipper said.

Jacques Ze Whipper performs at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Ze Whipper will make a “game-time” decision about lighting the whips on fire, depending on wind conditions.

Ze Whipper said he grew up in the circus. “I’ve been performing since I was 6 years old. I learned to crack a whip when I was 7 years old,” he said.

“I’ve been doing this show – Jacques Ze Whipper – since I was 20 years old. So more than a decade at this point,” he said.

Ze Whipper said he had always wanted to do this. “I was a news anchor in Boston. That was my life. I had been doing that job for 13 years.”

“A couple of years ago, I started putting stuff on TikTok and my TikTok took off rather quickly,” he said.

He said he realized how much he missed performing so he quit and literally “ran off and joined the circus” again. “Or in this case, the Renaissance Faire.”

Ze Whipper has 3.2 million followers on TikTok.

The audience cheers on Jacques Ze Whipper during his performance at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“Becoming internet famous was not on my bingo card during the COVID pandemic. I was still working as a news anchor. This is definitely not where I saw my life going, but I’m definitely glad it took this turn.”

You can catch Ze Whipper at Renaissance festivals and fairs throughout the country. Check his schedule at jackthewhipper.com. Or see performances on YouTube. In addition to performing at festivals, Ze Whipper also was a contestant on “America’s Got Talent” in 2022.

The Anderson Toyota London Bridge Faire and Joust continues through the weekend – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at SARA Park Rodeo Grounds south of Lake Havasu City off State Route 95.

General admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children from 6 to 12, $10 for military and first responders, children 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information, visit londonbridgerenfaire.com.

Jacques Ze Whipper performs at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jacques Ze Whipper performs at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jacques Ze Whipper performs at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jacques Ze Whipper performs at the London Bridge Renaissance Faire & Joust Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Mary Queen of Scots poses for a photo with her Royal Court Friday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

A pirate Ship is on display at the 2024 London Bridge Renaissance Faire. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene