Flying twists, turns, torsos electrify audiences at Chaoyang Theater

In Beijing's Chaoyang district lies a special building where the extremes of acrobatic performance are commonplace - Chaoyang Theater has over decades evolved into the top venue that dazzles audiences weekly with gravity-defying, sinews-popping and heart-racing extravaganzas celebrating distinctive Chinese themes and cultural elements.

Located in the capital's central business district, it has drawn huge audiences over the years from home and abroad.

When established in 1984, it initially focused on dance drama and operas. Following a series of refinements, acrobatic programs were eventually kept as the permanent theme for performances there.

After more than 20 years operating, the theater is now a venue where more than 700 dazzling performances are staged every year, earning it a reputation as one of must-go destinations for acrobatics fans the world over.

Award-winning troupes, both local and international, show off their most stunning and thrilling stunts in routine performances at the theater.

Acrobatics is a performance art characterized by extraordinary feats and skills that demand fine balance, agility and motor coordination. It has been likened by some as a metaphor for the struggle between humans and nature.

The ancient acrobatics developed in China involved body acrobatics, animal shows, comic shows and illusion shows, as well as skills using strength and the art of throwing.

In modern times, its performance content has been enriched and it has become more artistic. Programs like pole-climbing and tightrope-walking appeared on stage.

In the hunt for original inspiration drawn from Chinese culture, the creative directors of Deyang Acrobatic Troupe from Sichuan province, one of the permanent acrobatic troupes in the theater, paid a number of visits to Sichuan's well-known cultural heritage sites, including Sanxingdui in Deyang and Jinsha in the provincial capital of Chengdu.

Their journeys were paid back in full with the debut of Flying, a classic acrobatic show that explores the ancient worship of the sun and the birds by the people of Sichuan - the show's name is inspired by the notion that one day the human body and mind can "fly" as freely as birds.

The imaginative extravaganza aside, the theater's stage is also a tour de force.

The directors have managed to integrate stage elements into the background, with light and sound evoking a charged atmosphere of a wild and primitive Sichuan of some 3,000 years ago.

Zhou Xiaoheng, head of Deyang Acrobatic Troupe, said a performance like this is rare to see in China, as it is so breathtaking and thrilling.

Flying breaks the conventions of traditional acrobatic performance and transforms acrobatic shows into something more artistic and ornamental, Zhou said, adding that it embodies the essence of traditional Chinese culture and is helping to enrich the tourism culture sector in Beijing.

The theater stages two shows a day and the performance hall seats 1,300 people at a time.

The acrobatic shows performed in the theater have won more than 30 awards at home and abroad. Some of the shows are winners of golden awards of the Golden Chrysanthemum Award, the highest honor for an acrobatic act in China.

The theater is also paving the way to build a bridge between traditional Chinese culture and the world, enabling more foreign visitors - diplomats, business leaders from multinational companies and others to learn more about Chinese culture.

According to statistics provided by the theater, from its establishment to date it has received about 5 million foreign visitors, among them presidents and national leaders.

Its particular brand, Acrobatics World, has received wide recognition by many travel agencies both in and out of China.

Some foreign travel agencies even book tickets to the acrobatic performances two years in advance.

"It's really marvelous here," said Bora Milutinovic, former head coach of the Chinese National Football Team.

He took his family to enjoy the acrobatic shows four times and spoke highly of the performances.

liyou@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/08/2018 page12)