The Many Faces of China
New Shanghai Circus
Imagine living in the comfort of America for the majority of
your life and then suddenly moving to China and having to absorb
and conform to their customs and way of life. Now imagine that
scenario in reverse and that is exactly what the acrobats of the
“Incredible Acrobats of China” have been faced with coming here.
It is not easy coming to a completely different country,
especially one as different from China as the United States. Our
country is visibly different to the Chinese and our ideologies
are a universe away. However there are certain things that are
the same in both countries. Family is the center core of the
people in both countries, children all laugh and cry the same,
adults too for that matter, music and math are universal
languages and acting along with acrobatics are understood
worldwide.
A few years ago, my son Eric went to China
on a mission trip. He did not speak a lick of Chinese and most
of the Chinese people he encountered did not speak English, so
Eric, facing a communication problem while in China and being
the resourceful guy that he is, devised a universal way to
communicate with them. He taught them how to play Uno. No
English, Chinese or Mandran needed; facial expressions, body
language and laughter had them communicating in no time at all.
End of story.
No matter where we find ourselves, we,
being the adaptable creatures we are, will find a way, some way,
to communicate. The “Incredible Acrobats of China” need no
interpreter to help them, except in matters of specific topics.
When they are onstage, their acrobatics are communication enough
for everyone to understand that they are immensely talented and
what they are doing is instantly recognized. Acrobats in China
are highly rated and prized as entertainers and enjoy a good
social status. People who want to become an acrobat, have to
literally train for it exclusively throughout their formative
years and well into early adulthood. It is a very rigid and
disciplined life that most kids in America would walk away from
in the time it takes to do a back flip. No, I have nothing
against American youth when I say that. I was an American kid
and I raised two American kids, one of which is raising yet
another generation American kid. I am only speaking with
somewhat of a knowledge of reality, in the fact that our
lifestyle is yet another world apart from the Chinese lifestyle.
What is a successful career in China would not necessarily be a
successful lifestyle here.
After each show is presented at the
MGH Performing Arts Center the acrobats, about 30 of them,
gather in the spacious lobby of the theater to greet their
audience. Most of the performers do not speak English, except
for a few chosen words and phrases, but one will notice they are
communicating, one on one, with each person by the usage of
their facial expressions and body language. When you exit the
theater into the lobby, you will spot the discipline,
determination and dedication in these young Chinese faces. You
will see the differing personalities in each of these young
Chinese people. Look at them, smile at them and they will in
turn do the same for you. They are communicating with you and
you with them. I felt they were saying, hi, we are glad to see
you and we thank you for coming to our show.
The show itself is testament to what a
good, colorful, well-timed and coordinated production can be.
First off, let me say that the production of the Incredible
Acrobats is awe-inspiring. When I first saw the show a few years
ago, I was under the impression there would be a dozen or so
little Chinese guys and/or gals running, jumping and doing all
sorts of gymnastics onstage.
I wrote their first review at that time
and stated that I could not have been more wrong. It turned out
to be the most awesome production that I had seen, up to that
time, in Branson.
The show has changed somewhat each year
since. Acts have been added and acts have been taken from the
line-up.
This year, several noticeable acts have
been removed and it has affected the over-all scope of the
production. It seems to be a tad less colorful than in previous
years.
Now having said that, let me go on to say that the acts that
have been added, though not as colorful per-say, are in their
own way so different as to give a partially new definition of
the show. The Acrobats have traditionally had color, spectacle,
music, talented people, and acts of all sorts from magic to
dance to straight acrobatics. This year we can add to the list
of things they have, sensuality.
They have brought on board, a couple of
individuals who do the impossible in a very sensual way. I am
not going to elaborate on what it is they do, because I want you
to go see them for yourself. I am not going to show any photos
of their act, because, again, I want you to experience the show
for yourself, and folks, I assure you that it is quite a show.
Some of the stuff they do border on the totally unbelievable. Of
course, I feel some of the acts they perform are on the outside
edge of sanity. These are acts that you certainly do not want to
try at home unless you have a good, reliable and currently paid
hospitalization plan.
So, in place of showing you in
photos the acts these young performers do, I am highlighting the
many faces of China by showing only their faces in this article.
By doing so, I hope to pass onto you the idea that these are not
simply individuals who are massed into a great performing unit.
They are instead, individuals who perform on a unified stage
alongside others of their own nationality. First and foremost,
however, they are individuals who possess a unique level of
talent that few, worldwide, will ever achieve.
For show times,
reservations or information, call: (417) 335-2000.
© Copyright 2004—Kurt L. Moore—All Rights Reserved.
klmoore@earthlink.net
