The Han Show is inspired by the stories from the Chu-Han culture that dates back to 200 BC. Photo provided to China Daily

As the global pioneer in combining modern performance art with the Chinese Chu-Han culture, the Han Show has unusually strict criteria in its choice of artists.

In addition to the usual requirements, the artists also need to possess skills in aquatic sports and physical strength, be adaptable and speak conversational English.

The Han Show global artist recruitment program was launched in March 2014. It searched for performers skilled in acrobatics, instrumental music, singing, dancing, high diving, synchronized swimming and jet skiing, and attracted thousands of candidates.

The search has resulted in around 100 top-level artists from 14 countries performing together in the show, including those from China, Brazil, Singapore and Australia.

The director is eager that the show never highlights who is in the leading role. He says that every performer is a star and hopes to showcase the intelligence and skills of the whole troupe.

Facts and figures

The audience enjoys a 270-degree view of the performance.

They have three kinds of visual experience: aerial, three-dimensional water, and ground-level stage.

The stage pool can support a 27.5-meter-high diving platform.

A performer can fly horizontally up to 81.6 meters, traveling at six meters per second.

Sixteen lifts change the stage from dry to wet.

A total of 225 square meters of LED screen is provided to viewers, which is comparable to an IMAX screen.

The screens are mounted on the largest robotic arms ever built for a theatre.

The pool is 8.7 meters deep.