Lights! Action! Peking Dreams?

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China will perform on Saturday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m.

Courtesy of Columbia Artists Management

Direct from Beijing - the Capitol City of China - experience a jaw-dropping spectacle of Chinese Circus and acrobatics performed by the country’s most revered circus artists!

Marvel at the incredible grace, agility, flexibility, and athleticism of these talented artists as they perform astonishing acts of juggling, contortion, and balance. Enhanced with traditional Chinese music, brightly colored costumes, and elaborate props, this thrilling production is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike.

Origins of Chinese Circus

The Chinese Circus tradition began over 2000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (225-207BC).  The circus evolved out of the acts of imperial court performers who were similar to court jesters in Medieval Europe. The ancient Chinese referred to the circus as “the show of a hundred tricks.”

Families became involved in the circus, and family traditions developed in which skills were passed from one generation to the next. Some circus families became celebrities. Today, circus performers are regarded with respect and admiration in China.

In 1949, the People’s Republic of China recognized Chinese Circus as an art form that was worthy of being preserved and supported by the government. Over 200 circus and acrobatic troupes are active in China today. Many have toured throughout the world.

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China

Courtesy of Columbia Artists Management

Founded in 1953, The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China, is one of the longest running and most distinguished circus troupes in China. The company’s programs feature unforgettable acts like the Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze, Group Contortion, Straw Hats Juggling, and other amazing acts.

The National Circus has been awarded over twenty Gold and Silver medals at international circus festivals including the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Cirque de Demain, and the China National Acrobatic Competition. During the 1980s, the National Circus developed a new style of performances which did not focus on animals. China’s National Circus has visited and performed in more than fifty countries.

Peking Dreams

Courtesy of Columbia Artists Management

Beijing is the Capitol of the People’s Republic of China. Formerly known as Peking, the city’s history and cultural heritage go back over a thousand years. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven are located in Beijing, as well as significant portions of The Great Wall. Tourists walking along the streets or strolling through the parks of Beijing can often see natives singing and performing acrobatics.

Peking Dreams ushers audiences into an artistic world full of culture, history, and wonder. The program features unicycles, grand martial arts, aerial silk, solo trapeze, and other traditional circus acts. Peking Dreams was performed for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Since then, this mesmerizing production has been performed more than 600 times all over the world.

The Program

Acrobatic Master and His Pupils: A Peking courtyard is bathed in bright moonlight. In the dim light of the training room, three children formally become pupils to an acrobatic master. Through patient teaching, the master passes his art and tradition down to his pupils.

The Drunken Beauty: Amidst hundreds of flowers in bloom, an imperial concubine in the Forbidden City admires the full moon while drinking. Hanging on the swing of a trapeze, the actress performs a variety of stunts. Beneath her, the beautiful maids of the palace perform the spinning plates.

Martial Art: Inspired by Chinese philosophy and legend, Chinese martial art combines hard and soft elements with the philosophical principles of Yin and Yang. Actors strike, kick, throw, and jump on stage in a jubilant manifestation of freedom and boldness.

Solo On A Pole: This performance demonstrates the perfect combination of energy and beauty.

Contortion With Carpets Spinning: In the Forbidden City, the Emperor and his maids drink wine and dance. Artfully waving long sleeves, the maids sway and twirl with a tapestry. This act is a combination of classical Chinese dance, contortion, and carpet spinning.

Hoop Diving: Beijing is a modern city, and its inhabitants are transient guests. Young people work at a hectic pace which gets faster and faster. The two performers in this act perform with enormous vitality as they jump through hoops – backwards, forwards, and twisting with extraordinary skill.

Diabolo: Diabolo has a long history in China. Initially, it was a game in the imperial palace, and then it became popular among the common people. The Diabolo craze swept Peking and the game continues to be popular. In this act, the Diabolo comes alive in the hands of girls who fly backwards and forwards with extraordinary quickness and grace.

Aerial Silk: A handsome boy meets a beautiful girl in Peking. From acquaintance to friendship, and then from friendship to love, the couple represents a moving and romantic story. The actor and actress move and dance with remarkable skill on colored silk high above the stage of the theater. With tender and romantic sentiments, they gaze deeply into each other's eyes.

Umbrellas Feet Juggling & Hula Hoops: In autumn, the weather of Beijing is unpredictable. Sometimes it is sunny and peaceful. At other times it is windy and stormy. With great dexterity, the performer juggles umbrellas by feet. This act is a great demonstration of the flexibility and beauty of the Chinese acrobatic art.

Straw Hats Juggling: In old Peking, a rich family marries off their daughter and many people take part in the celebration. The actors perform a variety of stunts while holding straw hats and spinning them high in the air in this humorous and popular part of the program.

Bicycle Stunts: This act is based on a famous Peking Opera story called The Generals of the Yang Family.  Accompanied by music and dressed in the costume of women warriors, the acrobatic girls execute spectacular and stunning tricks on their bicycles.

Balancing On High Chairs: The Great Wall is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of Peking and China. It has stood through thousands of years of Chinese history during which wars have been waged and dynasties have risen and fallen. In this memorable piece, the performer flawlessly executes stunning and breathtaking feats while balancing on stacked-up chairs.

Peking Dreams celebrates the history and wonder of one of the most famous cities in the world. Don’t miss this amazing cultural event at the Thrasher-Horne Center. Get your tickets today!

In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performance of Peking Dreams by The National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China on Saturday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, FL.

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The Thrasher-Horne Center

Tickets are now on sale for Peking Dreams. The Thrasher-Horne Center has several great additional performances coming up, including Boz Scaggs in November, Michael McDonald in December, and magician Mike Super in December. Check out the calendar.

The Broadway Season at the Thrasher-Horne Center begins in December. There will be six great shows including Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Ragtime, Always… Patsy Cline, Annie, Saturday Night Fever, and the Northeast Florida Premiere of Once. Subscriptions are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. Share this article with them. They will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

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