Chinese acrobatic extravaganza makes its way to the capital
They are known as the only acrobatic troupe to have appeared on Broadway for two consecutive years. The graduates of the Hai school are a select group of artists who continue to carry the torch of Chinese tradition, and who for the last 40 years traveled the world in order to propagate their art. So far, they have visited – without a safety net – no fewer than 34 countries. Beginning on March 26, the Gyalino Music Theater on Syngrou Avenue welcomes the Shanghai Music Troupe, along with its most recent addition, the New Shanghai Circus. The two troupes will be staging a theatrical/acrobatic performance that includes twirling plates, pyramids of chairs, bright costumes, acrobatics, contemporary music, opera lyrics, fairy tales from long ago, dream-like scenes and even martial arts. Shao Lizi, director and sage leader of the Shanghai Magic Troupe, reveals some of the the production’s secrets. «When I first became the company’s director back in 1976,» he says of the first time he worked with the group, «it never crossed my mind that a few years later I would be touring the United States – not to mention appearing on Broadway.» But, what makes this troupe different from others? Lizi says: «There are many Chinese acrobats out there. But this is the first time you have a show combining, in such a harmonious way, traditional acrobatics with contemporary music and colorful props.» As for the extensive preparation required in order to stage such a spectacle, the director says «My wish was to present something completely different to our audiences, and this took 20 years of hard work and trial and error. I traveled to China, I went to see acrobatic troupes and I hired graduates from fine art schools to help me construct this new concept, with which China was going to be represented around the world.» There is a lot of philosophy and thought going into every performance, explains Lizi, stressing that «the production borrows elements from Chinese myths and traditions. The choreographies incorporate elements of balance, self-concentration, kung-fu, tai-chi, Shaolin Kempo karate, acrobatics executed in mid-air as well as traditional Chinese acrobatics, such as the rubber-girl and the bicycle carrying 30 cyclists. There has been no shortage of rave reviews written about the troupe. The one that stands out most in Lizi’s mind, however, «was written by a British journalist, who wrote that he felt that he was in a Chinese province and was watching the acrobats perform next to the river. And he wasn’t even drunk.» The bottom line, though, is the cast, notes Lizi. «The members of the troupe treat their art as a daily exercise in grace and self-control. In order for a new member to be included in the company, they have to train for many years and, above all, to be in complete harmony with themselves; they have win the battle taking place in their minds. That’s what I call self-control. But that alone is hardly enough. The production’s protagonists have to read literature and poetry and constantly exercise their spirit along with their bodies.» The New Shanghai Magic Troupe will be performing at the Gyalino Mousiko Theater, on 143 Syngrou Avenue, as of tomorrow. For more detailed information on performance dates and times,
