A Brief Introduction to Acrobatic
Art Programme
A Brief Introduction to Acrobatic Art Programme
The Chinese acrobatics has a long history and rich
national flavour. It is one of the art forms most popular
among the Chinese people.
The acrobatic art has been existent in China for more
than two thousand years. As early as the Warring States
Period (475-221 BC), there appeared rudiments of acrobatics.
By the time of the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD), the
acrobatic art or "Hundred Plays" further developed
both in contents and varieties. According to the poem
entitled "To the Western Capital" written
by Zheng Heng, a Han Dynasty scholar, and stone-engravings
unearthed at Yinan County of Shandong Province in 1954,
there were superb performances with music accompaniment
on the acrobatic stage of two thousand years ago, such
as "Pole Climbing", "Rope-Walking (the
present day Tight-Wire Feats)", "Fish Turned
into Dragon (the present day Conjuring)", "Five
Tables (like the present Balance on Chairs)". (TOP)
In the Tang Dynasty, the most thriving period in the
history of Chinese ancient culture, the number of acrobats
greatly increased and their performing skills much improved.
The famous poets of that time, Bai Juyi and Yuan Chen
wrote poems on acrobatic performances. In the Dunhuang
mural painting "Lady Song Going on a Journey",
there are images of acrobatic and circus performers.
In the long course of development, the Chinese acrobatic
art has formed its own style. The ancient acrobatics
stemmed from the people"s life and had a close
link with their life and productive labour. Instruments
of labour like tridents, wicker rings and articles of
daily use such as tables, chairs, jars, plates and bowls
were used in their performances of "Flying Trident",
"Balance on Chairs", "Jar Tricks",
"Hoop Diving" and "Traditional Style
Conjuring", and others. Wushu, Diabolo Skill, and
Lion Dance, originated from folk sports and games. (TOP)
Though having a long history of development and enjouing
great popularity among the people, acrobatics in old
China was never performed in theatres because it was
looked down upon by the feudal class. Before liberation
acrobatics suffered more than before. Many fine arts
were lost because of long years of negligence and the
acrobats were wandering from place to place in starvation.
Since 1949 the people's government has made great efforts
to foster and develop national arts and acrobatics gained
a new life. All provinces, municipalities and autonomous
regions have set up their own acrobatic troupes.
The veteran performers, who have won their political
emancipation, and become masters of their own destiny,
have better opportunities to display their skill.
The acrobatic art of New China has not only made great
improvement in its contents and skill but also set up
a designing and directing system, aiming at creating
graceful stage images, harmonious musical accompaniment,
and good supporting effects of costumes, props and lighting
so as to bring about a full-fledged stage art. The present
Chinese acrobatics is full of optimism and well reflects
the industry, resourcefulness, courage and undauntedness
of the Chinese people.
In the past forty years and more, many Chinese acrobatic
troupes have toured more than one hundred countries
and regions the world over and promoted friendship and
cultural exchanges.
At present, there are over 120 acrobatic troupes above
the county level. More than 12,000 people are involved
in performing. (TOP)
Lion Dance
This dance has evolved from an old folk dance in China.
Thanks to the adaptation of the acrobats, it has become
a very popular number with the audience.
There are two types of lions: big lion (played by two
acrobats) and small lion (played by one man). They not
only perform the various movements of the lion, rolling
and jumping but also vividly portray the lion's strength
and agility, and the quiet and playful side of the lion's
character as well. Accompanied by the rhythmic Chinese
traditional percussion instruments, it brings out a
gay and festive atmosphere, vivid and jubilant.
Cycling Feats
In this act two types of cycles are used: monocycles
on which the acrobats, with the light gestures of the
dance, adroitly perform various beautiful postures;
and bicycle apart or turning it over a table, etc; also
they display a variety of postures on the bicycle, of
which the beautiful tableau of a peacock fanning its
feathers is the best. (TOP)
Tight-Wire Feats
Known as "Rope-Walking" or "Walking
on a rope" in ancient China, it is a traditional
number recorded with vivid portrayal in the Han Dynasty
two thousand years ago. Walking on a wire instead of
a rope is a renovation imparting new vigour and skills.
The acrobat uses somersault dexterity which is a basic
acrobatic skill to perform such difficult feats as cart-wheel,
forward and backward somersault, etc. On a trembling
wire thus the performance on a tight-wire has been elevated
to a new level.
Diabolo Skill
This is a traditional Chinese sport. During festivals,
people vie with one another in playing diabolo to express
their jubilation. It is imbued with a strong national
flavour. The performer spins the diabolo rapidly, twirling
it round their body, throwing it up or passing it onto
another player with grace and dexterity. In the course
of spinning the diabolo, the players make postures.
Accompanied by Chinese national orchestral music, together
with the roaring sound of the diabolo, an atmosphere
of warmth and festivity is brought out. (TOP)
Traditional-Style Conjuring
This is an ancient Chinese traditional performance
unique in form and style.
With the help of a big robe and some pieces of cotton
cloth, the conjurer turns out many large and small glass
bowls filled with water and live fish, as well as a
brazier with burning fire. While taking off the robe,
the conjurer again turns out at the end of a somersault
a big glass water bowl with fish in it. What is unique
in that the conjurer produces water and fire without
wetting or burning his robe.
Hoop Diving
This is an item developed from "Leaping through
Rings on the Ground" with a long history background.
It was known as "Swallow Play" more than two
thousand years ago because the performers imitated the
flying movements of swallows as they leapt nimbly through
the narrow mat rings. It was also called "Dashing
Through Narrows".
The performers are graceful and agile in their movements,
demonstrating youthful vitality and breath-taking dexterity.
(TOP)
Jar Tricks
Jar, originally a grain container is used by the peasants
to perform various feats in celebration of a bumper
harvest. Later, it was adapted by acrobats and became
a very popular number among the broad masses of the
people. It demonstrates simplicity and steadiness and
possesses a distinctive national flavour.
Wushu (Chinese Traditional Group Gymnastics)
It is derived from Chinese folk physical culture. With
movements of somersault, pulling, jumping, kicking and
various postures, it has become an acrobatic symbol.
The agility, precision and rhythm of their movements
convey a sense of vigour, strength and beauty.
Spring-Board Stunts
It is a new development from children's play. Through
leaps and somersaults in the air, the acrobats perform
graceful movements which give the audience a healthy
enjoyment of acrobatic art. (TOP)
Meteor Jugging
The performer swings glass bowls that move like meteors
in the sky.
The performer revolves soft rope with two glass bowls
filled with water fastened to its ends, tossing it up
and performing difficult feats such as forward roll
and backward somersault and then catching it again and
continuing to dance and turn about without spilling
the water.
Magic
With dexterous hands and simple properties, the conjurer
performs many fancy tricks. He or she brings out a variety
of things by skillful and clever acts and then makes
them disappear again. It leaves the audience fascinated.
Vocal Imitation
Vocal Imitation is one of the fine traditional items
in China. Records in ancient classical books can be
traced back to early as 2,300 years ago in the Warring
States Period. Through repeated process by generations
of performers, its contents as well as its form of performance
have been greatly enriched and the audience is carried
away by the artists. (TOP)
Cycling With Bowl Piling
This is a new item created after the founding of New
China. Riding on a monocycle of more than 2 metres high
on a round table, the performer kicks up bowls, kettle,
and spoon with perfect and piles them on her head. The
acrobat's skillful dexterity and humourous performance
are greatly admired by the audience.
Turn On Suspended Strips
This is one of the folk sports in China. Adroitness
and strength are required in this item, as well as action
combined with stillness. Relying on their arm and wrist
strength and their high skill of self control, the performers
display the beauty of forceful movement and graceful
postures.
Gymnastics On Double-Fixed Poles
"Pole Climbing" is one of the main traditional
acrobatic numbers in China, vivid description appeared
in drawings more than 1,000 years ago.
On the basis of "Pole-Climbing", new acrobatic
movements such as jumping from one pole to the other,
swift descent and many others are added. It demonstrates
resourcefulness, courage and optimism, and brings the
art of pole climbing to a new high level. |
