Theater makes magic three times every day

Centuries-old acrobatic skills leave audiences speechless

The astounding acrobatic shows at the Chaoyang Theater are so famous that they are a must-see for tourists visiting Beijing.

Built in 1984, the Chaoyang Theater is in Beijing's CBD, with convenient transport and comfortable seating for the audience.

The complex consists of a main theater and three movie halls. The two-story theater can accommodate 800 people on the first floor, and about 600 on the second floor.

Specializing in acrobatic performances, the theater has been designated a tourist performance site by the Beijing government and was named as one of the country's best cultural events in 2001 by the Ministry of Culture.

Over the years, the theater has built a bridge between traditional Chinese culture and the rest of the world. More than 5 million foreigners have attended performances, including dozens of important guests such as foreign presidents and officials from the International Olympic Committee.

Every year, the theater stages around 700 shows, including lion dances to synchronized bicycle riding and seesaw acrobatics.

Many Chinese troupes have given performances in the theater. For example, the Deyang Acrobatic Troupe from Sichuan province has been performing in the theater for nearly 20 years.

To Fly, a large-scale acrobatic show designed by the troupe, has broken the traditional boundaries of acrobatics to amaze spectators.

The show was inspired by worship of the sun and birds by people in Sichuan region thousands of years ago, according to Zhou Xiaoheng, head of the troupe and producer of the show.

It combines breathtaking acrobatic performances, such as the "Death Wheel", with authentic indigenous folk dances and excellent stage lighting to create a powerful visual impact.

At the end of the show, real peacocks and scarlet macaws brought from Sichuan fly over the spectators' heads and rest on the hands of the performers on stage, creating a magical theatrical effect.

The group bicycling act, featuring ten girls who form the shape of a peacock, is a favorite with the audience at the Chaoyang Theater.

Another act features supple girl performers who can bend and fold their bodies to a position where their feet clasp their face while their head and hands are still balancing some glasses.

Other acts include juggling large porcelain urns, martial arts, balancing bowls, umbrellas or stacked chairs, rope walking, pole climbing, roller-skating and plate spinning.

The acrobatic performances demand extreme accuracy in timing and balancing, and often leave the audience speechless. "Magical" is the word most audiences use to describe the performances.

The success of the Chaoyang Theater's acrobatic shows also depends on good stage design, music, choreography and costumes, props and clever lighting.

The theater has decided also to explore a new market for modern theater staging, and provide firstclass services to meet the demands of various troupes, which perform there.

Tradition of acrobatics

Acrobatics is a pearl in the treasure house of traditional Chinese performing arts. Records show that the acrobatic art has existed in China for more than two thousand years.

Acrobatics existed as early as the Warring States Period (475-221BC).

By the time of the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220AD), the acrobatic art, known then as the "Hundred Plays on the Square", grew richer in variety and content. Watching acrobatics became a popular pastime.

In the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), the number of acrobats grew and their performing skills became more sophisticated.

Over the centuries, the Chinese acrobatic art has developed its own style.

Ancient acrobatic acts were closely associated with the performers' life and work. Day-to-day items like tridents, wicker rings, tables, chairs, jars, plates, and bowls were often used in performances with names such as "Flying Trident", "Balance on Chairs", "Jar Tricks", and "Hoop Diving".

Martial arts and the lion dance originated from folk sports and games. They gradually became commonplace in acrobatic performances throughout China.

Though having a long history and enjoying great popularity among the people, acrobatics was never performed in theaters in the past because it was looked down upon by the upper class. Acrobats had to travel from one place to another to make a living.

Since 1949, the government has made great efforts to preserve China's national arts, including acrobatics.

Almost all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have established their own acrobatic troupes.

At present, there are over 120 acrobatic troupes above the county level, involving more than 12,000 people. Performers are usually selected and trained from an early age.

The modern acrobatic art has not only improved in its content and skill, but has also established a design and directing system for better stage effects.

In the past decades, Chinese acrobatic troupes have toured more than 100 countries around the world and have played an important role in enhancing China's friendship and cultural exchanges with them.

mrlijin@chinadaily.com.cn