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Direct from Beijing, The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China performing Peking Dreams

California State University, Northridge's Valley Performing Arts Center hosts the National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China for a performance of Peking Dreams

When:
October 4, 2015 3:00pm
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The National Circus and Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China were founded in 1958, and since that time the company has been dedicated to the innovation of and excellence in the circus and acrobatic art. It has produced a large number of excellent circus and acrobatic acts with distinctive Chinese national style and characteristics.

Part of the VPAC Play Date Family Series.

BUY TICKETS HERE $30-$65

A COLUMBIA ARTISTS PRODUCTION
Andrew S. Grossman, Producer

Direct from Beijing, National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China Perform Peking Dreams

Peking (today known as Beijing), the capital of the People’s Republic of China, is a famous historical and cultural city with a history spanning 1,000 years and a wealth of precious Chinese cultural heritage including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. Acrobatic art, Chinese circus and Peking Opera are Chinese cultural treasures and are beloved among the people of Peking. These art forms combine music, acrobatics, performance, mime, and dance and share many similarities with Western culture. Foreign tourists walking along the streets or strolling through the parks of Peking can often hear natives sing beautiful Peking opera, see them play diabolo or see them performing other acrobatics. Peking Dreams, incorporating elements of acrobatics, Chinese circus and Peking Opera, invites audiences into an artistic world full of history and wonder. The actors' flawless performance, colorful costumes and elaborate make-up will astound audiences with visual and aural treats.

 

Program

Acrobatic Master and His Pupils
The 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 is determined to pass his art and tradition down to his pupils.

The Drunken Beauty
Amidst hundreds of flowers in bloom, the imperial concubine in the Forbidden City admires the full moon while drinking and toasting. 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 onstage in a jubilant manifestation of freedom and boldness.

Solo On A Pole
This performance represents a perfect combination of energy and beauty beyond compare.

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 dancers’ long sleeves in classical Chinese dance, contortion and carpet spinning, and a reflection of suppleness and beauty.

Hoop Diving
Everyone is merely a transient guest in Beijing, a fast -developing modern city, and each visitor is prone to a sense of loneliness. This seemingly negative attitude is a vivid picture of how helpless the people of Beijing sometimes feel. Young people work at an extreme pace and constantly achieve new speed records. The two actors sweep past two hoops on the table, backward somersault past five hoops, execute a 360-degree twist past five hoops, and backward somersault past six hoops. The actors perform with enormous vitality, spirit and extraordinary skills in a perfect representation of Peking culture.

Intermission

Diabolo
Diabolo has a long history in China, initially as a game in the imperial palace and then becoming popular among the greater population. The diabolo craze swept Peking and to this day is known to every household there. The diabolo comes alive in the hands of the girls who fly backwards and forwards, allowing us to see the quickness, gracefulness and even humor of the performers.

Aerial Silk
A boy from Peking is handsome and forthright; a girl from Peking is beautiful and elegant. From acquaintance to friendship, and from friendship to love, the couple represents a moving, romantic story. The actor and actress move and dance with remarkable skill on the colored silk high above the floor. They at times express tender and romantic sentiments, hugging tightly, and at other times gaze deeply into each other's eyes, deeply emphasizing the sentiment and glamour.

Umbrellas, Feet Juggling & Hula Hoops
In autumn, the weather of Beijing is unpredictable: sometimes sunny and peaceful and sometimes raging and stormy. Dexterous and quick in action, the performer juggles umbrellas by feet. The umbrellas fly on the girl’s feet and the hoops twirl around the other girls. This act demonstrates the flexibility and beauty of the Chinese circus and acrobatic art.

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

Bicycle Stunts
This act is based on a famous Peking Opera story, 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, the greatest miracle created by the people of China, is recognized as a symbol of Peking. It has witnessed thousands of years of Chinese culture; it has heard the drums of war roaring; it has seen countless dynasties rise and fall; it can tell of the vicissitudes of history. In this piece, the actor flawlessly executes various stunning and breathtaking movements on stacked-up chairs.

The final act ends with a finale featuring all performers!
 

Cost: 
$30-$65
Phone Number: 
(818) 677-8800