Acrobatic Drama "Journey to the West" by Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe May 18, 2008

Time: 2008/6/18-2008/6/21
Venue: Tian Qiao Theater
Price: 30/50/100/150
MSN: [email protected]
Tel: 86-10-64177845

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Winner of
Class One Award, acrobatics section, 2006 "National Soirées of Prominent Acrobatics, Songs and Dance"
12th Wenhua Grand Award
Audience's Favorite Act Award and Audience's Favorite Artistes Award at the 8th China Arts Festival

China'sgreat classic novel "Journey to the West" now has its first everacrobatic version that is to be put on stage in the Tian Qiao Theatre.Hundreds of artists will perform the "blockbuster on stage" thatinvolves almost all types of acrobatic feats, as well as dancing,martial arts, puppet shows and cartoons in interpreting the great"Journey to the West".

Sofar, some one hundred domestic and overseas showbiz entrepreneurs haveexpressed their strong interests in bringing the show to Japan, Singapore, Russia, Germany, Hong Kong and Macao.

Thisfabulous show with 180 members from the Troupe consists of 4 acts:Wreaking Havoc in Heaven, The Monkey King Thrice beats the Bony Ghost,The Kingdom of Women and The Spider's Web Cave, Flaming Mountain,in addition to a prologue and epilogue. It is a far cry from the mereexhibition of bravura techniques and skills, as it has an innovativelyconceived programme that incorporates acrobatics with theatricalelements such as storyline, characters and themes, together withexcellent stage lighting, set and costumes. It is an all-new acrobaticspectacle, featuring the Troupe's five hallmark acts: Swaying PoleClimbing, Assembly Modelling, Pole Trampolining, Diabolo Juggling andHoop Diving on the Trampoline.

About Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe
TheGuangzhou Acrobatic Troupe was founded in 1957. The troupe has carriedon the traditional of Chinese folk acrobatics and at the same timeabsorbed the cream of other art forms such as dancing, artisticgymnastics, drama and clown acting to form a unique style of Lingnan inSouth China. Over 50 programs they created have won various grand prizes.

The troupe has been invited to perform in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Mauritius, Canada, U.S.A., Peruand etc.. In recent year, the troupe has produced the large-scale folkacrobatic show entitled Southern Melody and the A Gathering of Stars, ashow of all the prize-winning programs.

Theleading acrobats in the troupe include Liang Yi, know for hisperformance in Cutting from the Waist and Piecing the Heart; LiChunlai, known for Uncle Clown and Li Xuexia, known for her show inJuggling Bowls and Rolling Cups.

Synopsis

Prologue
Thesetting is a large 'Buddha's hand' with 'bungee cords' installed. TheBuddha's hand represents the omnipotent powers of the Buddha. Theartist performing acrobatics on the bungee cords is the Monkey Kingplaying antics. But whatever he does, as soon as the Buddha's hand i***tended, he is unable to break free.

Wreaking Havoc in Heaven
The'Swaying Pole Climbing' sets the scenes for monkeys at play as well astheir fight with the heavenly host. Female artists perform a dazzlingdance-like performance of calisthenics, which is a dance of the fairypages who help the God of the Polar Star to refine the pills ofimmortality.

The Monkey King Thrice beats the Bony Ghost
Thereis a band on the Monkey King's head placed by Buddha, which gives MonkTripitaka to control over the Monkey. All he needs to do is to say themagic words and the Monkey would suffer a terrible headache. The wholeprocess is represented by 'Diabolo Juggling': the whirring sound islike the chanting of the magic words, and the throwing and juggling ofthe diabolo suggest the dizzy, topsy-turvy state that the Monkey Kingis in.

The Kingdom of Women and The Spider's Web Cave
Twostates of struggle are presented by acrobatics here. One is ahand-to-hand stand between two artists, against a romantic backdrop ofa starry sky. It is Monk Tripitaka's spiritual and physical strugglewhen he is caught in the company of the Empress of the Kingdom of Women.The other is 'Hanging on a Silk Strap', when the Monk is struggling tobreak free from the Spider Demon's strap that hangs him in mid-air.

Flaming Mountain
A'Hoop Diving on the Trampoline' stunt depicts the Monkey King's fiercebattle against all odds, including his battle with the Ox Demon King.Towards the later part of the story, the artists perform this stunt incrisp and quick moves, as they throw themselves through the hoops ofvarying heights. It symbolizes Monk Tripitaka and his disciples'successful completion of their hazardous journey to obtain the Buddhistsutras.

Epilogue
Asan echo to the 'Buddha's hand' in the prologue, the show ends with'Land of Heavenly Bliss', where all saints and buddhas pay theirrespects to the Great Buddha.

Official Website: http://www.piao.com.cn/en%5Fpiao/ticket_1715.html