Although their craft is ancient, the Peking acrobats must be young and fit to perform the aerial, juggling and acrobatic acts.
The troupe twirls its way into Albuquerque this weekend for what promises to be a multicultural spectacle, said vice president of the show’s production company Cynthia Dike-Hughes.
“We try to remain as close as possible to the pure art form of Chinese acrobatics,” she said. “Musical instruments are played by Chinese musicians from China. Professional musicians and their musical instruments in and of themselves are works of art; the instruments are very exotic and beautiful.”
The show features a plate spinning act; an act with two strong men who balance off each other; an aerial act with a woman hanging 20 feet in the air doing stunts on a hoop; and a group of women doing a balancing act with a tower of chairs.
According to a press release, the Peking acrobats were featured on Guinness Book Primetime TV, where they set the world record for a 21-foot-high human chair stack.
Dike-Hughes said all the performers, including the live musicians, are Chinese natives who were collected from the streets of China by members of the production company. She said there is a long history of acrobatics in China.
“The things we use in the way of props are plates and chairs and jars and glasses … Chinese acrobatics is based in a folk art tradition, which was started originally by the everyday people in China,” she said.
Dike-Hughes said the modern acrobats probably perform more daring feats than their predecessors.
“I often think to myself what the acrobats of the Han dynasty would think of the Chinese acrobats of the 21st century. They would probably be in awe of them,” she said.
She said people of all ages and interests attend.
“The spectrum that comes to the show is as young as 3 to 4 years old to as old as we can be as people, as long as they can get there,” she said. “There’s lots of special effects, so even people who love video games will love the Peking acrobats.”
Peking Acrobats
Popejoy Hall
Sunday
3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Prices range from $25-35, depending on seating area,
$10-22 for students
Popejoypresents.com
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