The China Acrobatic Troupe, the country's oldest, put the spring into its latest production, "Splendid" in the lead-up to the Olympics on July 4.
The two-hour performance includes 13 programs with 13 different stunts. Some of the sights include performers climbing tall poles and jumping between them to the sound of drums, plates spinning three at a time atop slender sticks, somersaulting on a wire, and various balancing maneuvers.
80 of the company's prize-winning acrobats, jugglers and contortionists are in the show, and some are still in their teens.
Zhao Hanlong started juggling when he was 14. After 6 years of training, he became the first in the world able to juggle 11 balls at the same time.
Zhao Hanlong, acrobat said "Juggling was introduced to China from other countries. But I just want to show people from other countries that Chinese can juggle better".
"Splendid" features many fearless stunts that many believe are an expression of China's strength and power as a nation.
The acrobats use a lot of creativity to devise colorful ways to show off their skills. The performance challenges their nerves, but succeeds in pleasing the crowd.
Sun Lili, Vice-Director of China Acrobatic Troupe said "There was a time when we were looked down upon by dancers, who thought acrobats are ugly, they contort their bodies painfully, and these are far from graceful or artistic moves. Since then I decided to revamp our shows, to overthrow the prejudice. Our acrobats are trained to pull off stunts with grace. They never missed a single class in their education for over ten years. They are intelligent and competent performers as the show will testify."
There are no grimaces or groans, it's a happy show with beaming faces, flashy costumes, and dazzling lights. The effects are heightened by a backdrop corresponding to each stunt performed on stage.
The show is punctuated by an ecstatic applause from the audience. There was even some encouragement as performers failed to pull off their stunts at certain points in the show.
Fifty shows are scheduled to entertain the coming Olympic crowds. "Splendid" runs at Beijing's Poly Theatre to the end of August.
(CCTV July 7,2008)
