Chinese variety art
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Chinese variety art (simplified Chinese: 杂技艺术; traditional Chinese:
Circus vs variety art[edit]
While the English term "Chinese circus" has been used to describe Chinese variety arts even in the earliest Western historical texts, the East views the Chinese term "circus" (
History[edit]
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Chinese performing arts have a long history. Variety show is known to existed as early as the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) or possibly earlier. During the Qin and Han periods, Juedi (
The performances became more elaborate and during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), the performing arts became popular in the emperor's court, and the acts became more refined. Eventually, the performing arts lost favor in the Imperial Court; they moved back to the common people and most performers performed in the street. During the Song dynasty the variety shows may be performed in the entertainment centres called the wazi (
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the art forms have gained new respectability. Troupes have been established in the provinces, autonomous regions, and special municipals with theaters specifically dedicated to the variety arts. Some troupes have become world famous, playing to packed houses at home and on foreign tours.
It wasn't until the 1990s, however, that the art form was packaged as a complete theme show. The 1994 show Golden Wind of the Southwest (
Performances[edit]
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Below is a list of performances available in the variety art. Some are more standard, while others are more regional. There is always new innovation taking place.
- Lion dance on top of rolling globes or balls
- Tightrope walking
- Contortion acrobatics
- Balancing act while playing Chinese yo-yo
- Shaolin monks resisting projectiles
- Extreme kung fu demonstrations
- Unicycling and bowl balancing
- Multi-plate spinning
- Tricks involving smaller animals
- Fire breathing
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Highwire acrobats in Huang Shan
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Contortion acrobatics
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Balancing act on a bicycle
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Multi-plate spinning
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Shaolin monk
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Gymnastic display
Festivals[edit]
See also[edit]
- Chinese State Circus
- Chinese art
- Culture of China
- Balancing Acts – a documentary about acrobat Man Fan Tong
References[edit]
- ^ a b Faye Chunfang Fei, ed. (2002). Chinese Theories of Theater and Performance from Confucius to the Present. University of Michigan Press. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0472089239.
- ^ Richard Gunde (2001). Culture and Customs of China. Greenwood. p. 104. ISBN 978-0313361180.
- ^ Wang Kefen (1985). The History of Chinese Dance. China Books & Periodicals. pp. 20–27. ISBN 978-0835111867.
- ^ a b "The acrobatic Theme show and its origin in the Hundreds Entertainment". Archived from the original on March 9, 2005. Retrieved 2007-05-25.