The Chinese State Circus:
26th March 2012, The Regent Theatre, Hanley.
Have you ever wondered how many people you can get on a bike? Or wondered how many plates you can spin whilst standing on your head?
If so, go and see The Chinese State Circus in their UK production of ‘Yin Yang’. I had the pleasure of seeing it on Monday 26th March at The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. You will not regret seeing this as showcases the best in artistic acrobatics.
The circus is made up of 28 people and mixes a variety of acts including acrobatic pole work, hat juggling and live music.
There were many acts during the 2 hour performance which included women spinning four plates in each hand whilst partaking in flips, performing splits and standing on their heads. One daring female walked across five other’s heads whilst continuing to spin plates!
You could also witness the amazing Shaolin Warrior where they performed acts including smashing three bricks on their head and smashing a concrete tile on their stomach whilst lying on a bed of nails!
If you enjoy juggling acts you will love this performance because not only is there an amazing hat juggling act but there is also a group of women who juggle drums with their feet and what can only be described as giant sized yin yang branded baby bells. There is also some parasol juggling to add to the spectrum.
The musicians that work alongside the circus performers play on traditional Chinese instruments and are all highly talented at what they do!
Every part of the show was well thought out including the act changes where an entertainer comes on to keep us occupied as the sets get changed. He encouraged audience participation which included popcorn throwing
and four gentleman learning to balance on each other whilst laid down!
There were jump rope skills you can only dream of accomplishing, dancing dragons and an extraordinary ballet act which ended with the female balancing on the male’s head on one foot, on her tip toes!In answer to the previous question of how many people can you fit on one bike, the answer in this production is eight!
It was truly a fantastic experience and I encourage all to go and see it. I have included a YouTube video of one of the performances below and there are a few pictures from the show that have been taken from the Chinese State Circus website.
To get more information, future performance locations or to buy tickets, please visit: http://www.chinesestatecircus.com.
Quotes from their website listing opinions are included below:
“Spectacular - the most exhilarating circus it has ever been my privilege to see”
Evening Standard
“Rarely is such excitement generated in a theatre ….the whole audience hangs breathless”
Manchester Evening News
“Stunning displays of acrobatic prowess, strength, agility, and contortionism” -
The List, Edinburgh
“Sell the dog, skip the weekly trip to the supermarket…but miss this show at your peril!”
Norwich Weekly
Victoria V.L. Walker
