TRADITIONAL CHINESE CIRCUS

Experience the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival with The Peking Acrobats’ 36th North American Tour! Fun for the whole family — The Peking Acrobats continue to impress audiences with their unique brand of ancient artistry and good-spirited fun.

Prepare for daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; a kaleidoscope of magnificent movement with powerful precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics; amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control; astonishing foot juggling dexterity; incredible balancing feats showcasing tremendous skill and ability; extraordinary exhibitions of agility and grace; plus beautiful costumes and high-tech special effects!

For over 30 years, The Peking Acrobats have stunned audiences around the world with their breathtaking feats of agility, strength, and balance. Direct from the Republic of China, this elite troupe of performers combines centuries of tradition with modern showmanship in a spellbinding display of athleticism and artistry. Defying gravity with daring stunts, vibrant costumes, The Peking Acrobats push the limits of human ability. From precision tumbling and high-wire acts to astonishing contortion and juggling routines, each performance is a celebration of discipline, grace, and sheer jaw-dropping spectacle. Whether you're a family looking for an awe-inspiring night out or a fan of cultural performance at its finest, The Peking Acrobats deliver an unforgettable experience for all ages.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Peking (pron. Pee king), which means “Northern Capital” in Chinese, has been a center of civilization for thousands of years. In the early part of the 20th century, the city of Peking was renamed Beijing (pron. Bay jing) because, as the story goes, foreigners who visited the city kept mispronouncing Peking!

Beijing has a long and rich theatrical history, dating back to the Shang dynasty (1523-1028 BC). During this time, “seers” performed ceremonial songs and dances honouring the gods, invoking them to drive out pests, produce abundant crops, or create other “miracles.” By the Han dynasty (around 202 BC), court entertainers were very popular. Clowns, wrestlers, acrobats, contortionists, and musicians entertained emperors by acting out famous fables. These entertainments were the precursors of Peking Opera, which is a multi-faceted art form. Peking Opera combines singing, dancing, acrobatics, martial arts, pantomime, and more to create fantastic stage productions.

The fundamental belief of Chinese theatregoers is that theatre, at best, should be an illusion of life. The Peking Acrobats take part in this philosophy and bring it to the world.

DAILY LIFE OF A PEKING ACROBAT

Acrobatics as an art form displays grace, beauty, strength, and agility. This requires a lot of dedication, including years of study and practice. In China, being selected to become an acrobat is an honour, and brings prestige, but it also requires commitment. Once selected to attend an acrobatic school, students take their general education classes alongside practicing gymnastics, juggling, and martial arts. They do this six days a week! Acrobats begin training at around age 6, but most are not selected to become part of a professional performing troupe until they are around age 16. The Peking Acrobats are true representatives of their country and art, and take great pride in performing for audiences like you!