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Acrobatics demands vigor, discipline, commitment and determination to reach further heights. When performed by highly trained and dedicated artists such as those of the China Acrobatic Circus, it is an inspiring spectacle. As early as 3,000 years ago, primitive man created this art based on his daily activities of hunting, fighting and worship.
Ancient paintings, murals and sculptures attest to the popularity of acrobatic displays. For instance, a Song Dynasty mural shows a man balancing a pole on his head, while a Han Dynasty mural shows two acrobats juggling and spinning a wheel and plates. A series of paintings of Tang Dynasty dances shows a performer lying on the tips of standing swords.
Today, official Chinese circuses have unfortunately been purged of their more vulgar attractions such as sword-swallowing, lying on a bed of nails, or climbing a mountain of knives.
Instead there is a steady striving to attain aesthetic taste and artistic perfection using gymnastic skills, gong fu and calisthenics. Chinese acrobats have won
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"Chinese Soul" performed by the China Acrobatic Circus. | worldwide acclaim. Many of those who have won international awards are presently performing nightly at the Universal Theater (Also called Heaven and Earth Theater) in the "Chinese Soul" acrobatics show. They give an outstanding display. You are likely to find yourself rooted to your seat, mesmerized by their gymnastic agility as they tease the laws of nature with their skills. Each act has its own distinctive merit. It is truly a magnificent show, combining art with gong fu, dance and Peking Opera.
Against an outstanding backdrop of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, with terrific music and stagecraft as well as dazzling costumes, the evening is an enjoyable and enthralling experience.
Universal Theater:
Add: No. 10, Dongsishitiao Qiao.
Hours: 7:15pm nightly.
Tel: 86 (0)10-65023984
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