csc.txt

http://www.nightnews.net/fringe2008.htm#csc

The Chinese State Circus - European Entertainment Corp / Urban Circus Ltd
venue :: Meadows Theatre Big Tops
see links :: http://www.chinesestatecircus.com/
category :: Theatre
Reviewed date :: 07 08 08

Review: The Chinese State Circus was pumping out its corner of the
Meadows after the City's worst downpour of the year when I dropped
in for its 3pm matinee. The show went on as scheduled on the third
day of their fringe run, after a completely sold out opening day!
The 3pm matinee was mostly families with children, the latter seeing
something in real life and away from a screen perhaps for the first
time in their lives. It was still raining outside and the show had
a respectable 60% plus attendance despite the atrocious 2008 fringe
weather. The Chinese State Circus presents itself as a show whose
performers are following in a 2000-year tradition of Chinese
entertainment. Its principle performers are drawn from the
internationally renowned, Tai An Acrobatic Troupe from Tai An
City sited in the foothills of Mount Tai, one of China's five
sacred mountains. The Shaolin Wu-Shu warriors of the Shaolin temple
located in the Songshan Mountains complement them. What separates
the Chinese State Circus from other circus shows is the quiet charm
and humility of its performers who are obviously at the pinnacle of
their skills but who perform spectacular routines with a quiet, 
understated brilliance. The ring is nearly always crowded, the 
succession of acts is wholly spectacular and the audience is left
in a state of constant visual arousal and expectation. Expect 
colourful costumes, a bit of a narrative to string all the acts
together from the 'Monkey King,' a succession of amazing acts, 
two hours of solid circus acrobatic entertainment on the ground
and in the air; and if you ever wanted to see a man balanced on
5 spear points then the Shaolin warriors will astound you with 
this feat and a few more! The Chinese State Circus certainly does
for China what the Beijing opening ceremony did for the Olympics
this year. I don't know anyone who visited this show who wasn't 
totally won over. 
5 gold bats

By John C Vassallo