John Henry holds his partner aloft in a ‘one-hand back lift to over-head arch’, known locally as a ‘back lift’. Adagio ‘poses plastiques’ seem to have been popular with couples, as George Caddy photographed at least three duos executing this advanced lift. Health and Physical Culture (1 October 1933) cautioned:

Do not persist in your efforts with a girl who is nervous ... Never attempt an overhead lift or throw for the first time without a friend or two standing by you in readiness to catch the girl should she fall.

5 January 1941