Posted on: Friday, January 16, 2009
New Shanghai Circus all about traditions, skills
By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
The New Shanghai Circus is back in town for a three-day showcase of its brand of big top.
For most of us, the term "circus" conjures up images of big animals, men in tights hanging from bars, little cars overstuffed with big clowns and, if we want to get really nostalgic about it, a freak show or two.
The New Shanghai Circus does things a little differently, though no less grand. With a history that stems not from the ancient Roman — and later American — tradition of parading (some might say "exploiting," but we're staying neutral) animal and human feats and oddities for an audience, but rather from an ancient Chinese tradition all its own, the Shanghai Circus takes its audience down a few unexpected paths.
The New Shanghai Circus troupe, fresh from a sold-out Broadway tour, has been touring the world since 1991 and is in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for winning more national gold, silver and bronze medals than any other acrobatic troupe.
If you go to the Shanghai Circus expecting a Coney Island throwback, you might be disappointed. But if you go expecting to witness humans doing humanly impossible feats, you'll never want to leave.
Here's how the Shanghai version of the circus stacks up against our Western version.
WHEN WE SAY 'CIRCUS,' WE MEAN:
The tradition of performance art that dates back to the ancient Roman tradition of showcasing for an audience horse and chariot races, equestrian shows, trained animals, jugglers and acrobats.
A show that often includes clowns, in some form.
A show that includes juggling, tightrope walking, trapeze swinging and other acrobatic feats that require skill and training.
A show that often includes trained animals doing unusual feats.
A show that often includes some kind of fire trick (breathing, eating, walking, etc.).
A show that includes lots of makeup and costumes. And if the costumes include shiny pants and the makeup includes glitter, all the better.
AT THE SHANGHAI CIRCUS, YOU'LL SEE:
A tradition that has its origins in the Chinese harvest festivals of 2,500 years ago when farmers honed skills like plate spinning, juggling and contortionism to dazzle fellow farmers at the annual festivals.
Plenty of talented people, but none of them resembling clowns. Where our circuses include hammy performances that are often silly and nonsensical, the Shanghai troupe is almost stoic. There's no over-the-top silliness at this show, just serious skill and talent.
A show that includes many of the elements we're used to seeing at a circus, such as juggling, trapeze artistry and gravity-defying acrobatic feats. But they also do things that are specific to their art like spinning plates on chopsticks, juggling tables with their feet, fan dancing and balancing towers of dishes on their noses.
A troupe of highly skilled humans, but no animals at all. This show's all about the people power.
Kung fu, but no fire.
A show whose costumes and makeup are just glitzy enough to keep your attention. Don't expect Cirque du Soleil-style aesthetics. Do expect to be blown away by the little woman in the pale pink unitard who can sit on her own chest with her head between her knees (yeah, we don't get it, either).
Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.
