Local troupe performs for thousands online, revitalizing interest in the breathtaking art
Song Bufan performs balancing on pipes, and the staff test the equipment for livestreaming. (XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA)
An acrobatic show without a live audience was staged at the Wuhan Acrobatics Theater on May 27, due to the need for epidemic prevention and control. It was the first online public performance this year for the renowned art troupe, and also a first-time tryout for the actors to perform live via “cloud theater”.
With flashing lights and reverberating music, one could catch sight of nearly 2,600 red seats covered with cloth and a thick layer of dust. However, the actors epitomized professionalism, exuding confidence and excellence.
The Wuhan Acrobatics Theater covers an area of more than 27,000 square meters. The actors of the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe have been maintaining a daily training regimen since they resumed work on April 8. During rehearsals, all actors wore masks and did their best to complete each move.
Actors rehearse in the theater. (XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA)
During their one-hour live broadcast on the online video platform Bilibili, they performed six of their gold-medal programs: power, rolling circles, balancing on pipes, magic, balancing a stack of bowls on their heads, and silk stripes. Li Chu, an actor in the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe, shared knowledge about the art of acrobatics, interspersed throughout the show. Audiences expressed their admiration and encouragement online.
Balancing stacks of bowls on heads is an acrobatic feat familiar to Chinese audiences. Two girls, dressed in red floral costumes, stepped in the middle of the stage. With the support and assistance of Liu Shiyi as the “base”, 23-year-old actress Huang Xiaolin completed six difficult moves with several stacked bowls above her.
Li responded to questions from netizens. “This seemingly effortless performance actually embodies the hard work of actors and actresses for more than a decade,” he said.
Wu Bin in training. (XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA)
Huang and her partner Liu have been working together for more than eight years. During the coronavirus outbreak, they practiced at home almost every day, and encouraged each other through video. “The range of activities at home is limited, and you can only press your legs, stretch your muscles, and do some basic exercises,” said Huang. She has gained 2 kilograms during the lockdown.
“Wearing a mask takes more than double the usual body load in training,” said Liu. The last act, “one hand on top of the head” is the most difficult part, and fortunately, they performed excellently during the live broadcast that day.
The actors wear masks during rehearsal. (XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA)
Established in 1950, the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe is well-known for strong technical strength. The period between April and July is usually the busiest performance season for the domestic acrobatics performing group. The biennial Wuhan International Acrobatic Festival has been held for 13 consecutive years. When the season comes, acrobats from all over the world come to Wuhan with carefully prepared programs.
Chen Jian, deputy head of the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe, said the live broadcast is the first step in the group’s transformation plan. Although the real-time viewership of 3,800 people is still far from his expectations, the team has planned to continuously broadcast live performances in the next two months with three shows every weekend.
Sun Huiyong (left) and his partner Jiang Xinzhao prepare for their program. (XIAO YIJIU / XINHUA)
“The particularity of appreciating the acrobatic art lies in the live experience of the explosive power of the actors and the jaw-dropping reaction from the audience. Now that the applause of the audience is expressed in the form of live comments on the internet, it might be an opportunity for the transformation of the Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe,” said Chen. He believes that even if the theater offers actual admissions later, they will still keep doing online and offline content simultaneously. The online venue has opened up a new channel for the public to appreciate classic works of art and brought new impetus to the acrobatic renaissance.
The local government proposes to support the restoration and development of life service industries covering culture and tourism, as well as catering, shopping malls and housekeeping.
