Events
Anhui Acrobatic Troupe
On Monday, 17 November, The MFL and PE Department took a group of Year 7 and 8 students to the Peacock theatre to an evening performance of the award-winning Anhui Acrobatics Troupe from China. For the first time in the UK, over 35 specially trained acrobats performed some of the most spectacular acrobatic routines ever seen on stage.
This was an opportunity for us students interested in PE, Performing Arts and Languages to sample an example of this dazzling expression of Chinese culture.
The Za-Ji Acrobatic Troupe was founded in 1956 in the Anhui Province of China, and have performed throughout China, winning many awards and titles in national acrobatic competitions. Za-Ji apparently means "a variety of feats" and that is exactly what we got, all performed to Chinese music by a smiling troupe of young energetic acrobats in dazzling costumes.
The show opened with Aerial skills on a rope, a flying Romeo and Juliet ballet without trapeze: a couple re-enacting a Chinese legend dangling dangerously from long ribbons. We held our breath for most of the following acts, which included terrific stunts performed by acrobats, climbing poles at amazing speed, jumping through rings above the stage floor, balancing on each others' shoulders, performing double, treble and quadruple front and back somersaults.
We were dazzled by the glass-balancing act, with accompanying "waitresses" bringing more trays to balance on the hands, feet and head of the contortionist. Then a tiny acrobat performed a stunning "foot juggling" number with colourful parasol. We also marvelled at the performance of the hula-hoops artist. She beats us all in the playground! Finally, no Chinese circus performance would be complete without the impressive plate-spinning act.
The Ladies With Chairs act was extraordinary: it involved seven young women building a strange and precarious free-standing chairway to heaven with wooden seats, and then doing handstands on it without either structure or acrobats toppling. This show was not only entertaining: it motivated us to improve our own bodies' strength and flexibility but also gave us a taste of the culture of China.
A big "Duo Xie" (Thank you) to Ms Dekens our PE teacher, to Wendy our dance teacher, to Miss Martinon our Languages teacher, for taking us out to the Theatre.
By Merika, Sarah, Merish, Daisy, Niamh, Danielle, Obehi, Stephanie, Rebecca, Myriam, June, Ufuma, Nneka, Zoe, Lucy, Shevonne, Melissa, Fiona, from the Performing art group, Y7 and Y8. Interviewed by Miss Martinon.
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