Story & Photographs by Diane Fleischman
The Internationally acclaimed Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin of the People’s Republic of China performed Friday night at The State Theatre. This touring company has performed extensively through Europe and now brings their magic on a North American tour.
The performance began with ‘Water Meteors’, the acrobats danced, tumbled, and rolled on the floor with two-meter long rope and a bowl on each of the rope’s ends. The bowls spun quickly and gave the illusion of the night sky.
The show brought a wide appeal of dazzle and fun for the whole family. There were juggling acts, and choreographed kung fu precisions, gymnastics, and acrobatics, all of which had traditional Chinese music in the background.
The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin of the People’s Republic of China was established in 1957 as a combination of the former China Circus and Acrobats that was founded in 1948, with a legacy going back much further. They have won prizes in national and international festivals and competitions. With world circuses, the company had acts perform in Ringling and Barnum & Bailey Brothers Circus, Cirque du Soleil, Big Apple Circus, Swiss Knie Brothers, National Circus and UniverSoul Circus.
