Tumblers And Thrills: Chinese Acrobatics Extravaganza
Acrobatics is one of the world’s most ancient performing arts, and Chaoyang Theater has been a major presence in this tradition for the Beijing market since the 1980s. Chaoyang Theater’s planning department manager Yang Mingchuan took Agenda behind the scenes to learn more about the amazing performers and their acrobatics.
Why acrobatics? Why not Peking opera or puppet shows?
Chaoyang Theater has produced acrobatics shows 365 days a year nonstop since 1988. These shows have been highly appreciated by the heads of state of many countries as well as some members of the International Olympic Committee. Our shows help fulfill many visiting foreigners’ desire to get to know Beijing and China, successfully establishing a cultural communication bridge for China and the rest of world. All this exchange is achieved through the spectacular exhibition of the quintessence of Chinese acrobatics.
What is the process behind the theater’s design and choreography for the shows? Do the acrobats have much input?
We hire experienced, professional directors and designers in this area to create the whole experience, including the dancing, the costumes and the music.
Are the two shows each day performed by the same acrobats?
Yes, the two shows are performed each day by the same group of acrobats. They have been trained to do that, so it isn’t a problem at all for them.
Where do you recruit or develop your acrobats? What is their day-to-day life like?
We have our own training school, from which we recruit new students every year. The acrobatics troupe has a complete training system, which includes cultural studies, acrobatics technique training and of course, daily life. The teachers are very strict with training, but outside of the training sessions, they are very good friends with the students. Daily life for the acrobats is collective life – everyone lives in dormitories, taking cultural classes and getting trained with many other people.
Do the acrobats often get injured training or performing? How long can they work? What kind of work can they do when they leave?
The performers begin training when they are four or five years old, but will not start performing on stage until they are ten years old. The peak years for an acrobatics performer are when they are 18-25 years old. Some of them who are very healthy and maintain good conditioning can perform until they are 30.
The training is very difficult for the performers since acrobatic performance is high-intensity, high-difficulty and highly challenging. It is difficult to avoid getting hurt. After they retire from the stage, some of the acrobats become coaches while most of them find work in office jobs.
Beijing Chaoyang Theater
Shows daily 7.15pm (call for additional show times). 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6507 2421/1818) www.bjcyjc.com 北京朝阳剧场，朝阳区东三环北路36号
