Flyman?

[Harryboy]

My great great great grandfather was a "flyman" any one got any suggestions as to what this was?

[bookermel]

The online dictionary says
"The driver of a fly or light public carriage" but I lost the link before I could copy it!

[bookermel]

Also a 1940's comic hero!!!

Also there is a reference to theatre on one link that I can't open that would suggest a stage hand responsible for moving sets and props etc. "A physically demanding job"

[bookermel]

*comic book*

[saxy_jag]

Flying, in theatrical terms, refers to that part of the theatre to do with the aerial movement (or flying) of scenery, props and, sometimes, performers. The so-called 'fly-towers' in old theatres are the bits that contain the pulley systems and the space for the operating gear.

Looking after these functions was a highly skilled and responsible job - still is, but they tend to get called tecchies these days. Very unromantic.

[RLM89]

I think you'll find they are still called flyman but quite a few of their roles have been taken over by computers etc.....

[saxy_jag]

Well I must admit, I do work in a multi-purpose venue rather than a purpose built theatre (and we don't have a fly tower), and I am aware that whilst our tecchies are multi-role, those in the theatre down the road are much more delineated in terms of what they do (like, their lighting people won't do sound, or stage shifting, for instance - ours have their specialisms, but are expected to be on hand for whatever's needed).

[robbo82]

At the theatre where I work, we still have people with titles such as 'head flyman', whose job is basically, as saxy_jag says, to be above the stage, on the 'fly floor', during a performance, controlling the movement of scenery, and anything else that needs to be dropped on or pulled off the stage, via the use of pulleys or sometimes computers.

[Hard@it]

In street language a flyman is a bit of a chancer, someone who thinks he is a smart cookie, and if he is very 'fly' he can sometimes get away with scams and easy moves.
Do not think your G'pappy was anything to do with the stage - your family should know what he was like.
If your offended - sorry!

[Hard@it]

|Just noticed that your Q was in Performing Arts so I suppose you are definite that he was in theatre land, so disregard my previous - unless !
Cheers Hard@it