Unbelievable but true

There are two shows left in the schedule of the visiting Grand China National Acrobatic Circus and if you still haven’t witnessed the extravaganza called “Splendide,” my unsolicited advice is to catch either the 1 p.m. matinee or 6 p.m. finale at the Araneta Coliseum today.

I guarantee you that when you watch the acrobats perform, your jaw will drop and your eyes will pop. It’s unbelievable how this troupe of 31 males and 21 females whose ages range from eight to 20 can do the things they do, defying laws of gravity and executing stunts that challenge the imagination.

I watched the show a few days ago and I was completely blown away. I’ve never seen anything like it and the show is for all ages. My 95-year-old mother and my 85-year-old father-in-law enjoyed as much as my wife, myself, my sister visiting from the US and some little kids in our row.

I remember a juggler bouncing what could’ve been as many as 10 tennis balls up and down steps in a makeshift stairway, staying in rhythm without missing a beat. On a flat platform, those balls were moving in between his legs. It wasn’t just the ability to keep the balls in motion without falling that was remarkable – it was also the pace that moved the balls around, sometimes, slowly, sometimes, quickly.

Then, there was the improbable routine which ended with 11 or 12 girls riding on a single bicycle moving along a circular path. I counted 12 riders but someone close to me said they were 11. Give or take one rider didn’t diminish the difficulty of execution.

* * * *

One of the most applauded acts was a group of about 15 performers in colorful costumes stringing an instrument that looked like an over-sized hourglass. The act was called the “diabolo” and each performer hurled the “hourglass” every which way to catch it with a string on a wedge in the middle of the chalice-like device. By the way, a plastic version of the “diabolo” sold like hotcakes in the concession stands along with a full-color 20-page souvenir program and DVD.

In 2005, the “diabolo” act was awarded the France President Prize at the 26th Tomorrow Circus Festival in Paris. It also received the Coca-Cola Crystal Cup Golden K-Prize and the Princess Cup trophy at the Monaco International Circus Festival in 1998.

Another wonderful act was the “hoop divers” routine where a team of about eight high-flyers took turns somersaulting in the air to clear one, two and later three rings set up in a straight row. The rings were elevated higher and higher as the jumpers hurtled through the air without trampolines or leaping aids. Body control was evident as the acrobats suspended themselves for a few seconds in flight, skilfully negotiating the rings.

Other acts were the juggling of umbrellas where a performer did different twirling tricks for each hand and foot in a dizzying routine, the two vertical poles where acrobats jumped from one pole to another without using their hands – only their legs (it was given the World Talent award at the 1st International Festival of Circus Acts in St. Petersburg in 1998), the spinning of multiple plates with a long stick by an army of spinners and a performer doing gymnastic balancing maneuvers on two poles held by up spokes which he stuck in, two at a time on each pole, until he could almost touch the ceiling with his hands.

* * * *

Don’t think for a moment the acts are danger-free. A few days ago, a female acrobat fell on the stage when her male partner lost his grip on a hanging cloth suspended from the rafters. The female held her partner’s arm swinging in the air when they both took a tumble. Nothing serious, however. Hazards of the trade. It was fortunate that the accident was just a minor glitch.

The China Acrobat Circus was established in 1950 and has toured over 80 countries. The entire repertoire lists more than 100 acts in acrobatics, aerial routines, animal-training, farces, vocal imitations, magic and others. The circus is directly linked to the Beijing International Arts College, a comprehensive arts academy specializing in acrobatics, dance, painting, acting, the martial arts and more. It performed during the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Since its formation, the circus has captured 18 gold medals in various international competitions. In 2000, it was voted one of the 147 advanced artist troupes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of new China.

The Grand China National Acrobatic Circus began its Manila run of 18 performances last Dec. 25. Catch one of the circus’ last two shows at the Big Dome today – it’s a perfect way to end the holiday season with the family. You won’t regret the experience.