The Chinese Sate Circus Returns To The Lowry With Exciting New Show Mulan
The CHINESE STATE CIRCUS Presents
The New Live Action Spectacular
MULAN
The Lowry, Wed 27 – Sat 31 January 2010
Press night: Wed 27 January, 7pm
From the land of legends and warrior monks comes the incredible new Chinese State Circus production – the new live action spectacular – Mulan.
A breathtaking fusion of precision acrobatics, Shaolin martial arts, dazzling circus skills, colourful characters from Peking Opera, physical theatre and drama choreographed to an original music score, MULAN is based on the legend of one of China’s greatest heroines. Although the tales of how a peasant girl led an army to save her nation from invasion have spread over the world in poems, songs, books and films, this is their first incarnation in the all-action world of international circus.
Entertainment for all the family – from the world’s leading Chinese acrobats. From gravity-defying gymnastics to the seemingly impossible body manipulations of the hand-balancer; from the leaping, rolling somersaulting repertoire of the hoop divers to the lavish tradition of the Lion Dance – the undisputed masters of physical theatre will have the audience on the edge of their seats.
Blink and you could miss it – such are the lightening reactions of the greatest exponents of martial arts – the Shaolin Wushu Warriors. Trained at the Shaolin Temple, the stretch the limits of human achievement in the dazzling new production of The Chinese State Circus.
The title role of MULAN is performed by martial arts expert, Cao Jing making her first appearance in the UK. Her 15 years of Kung Fu training will be put to the test in a dramatic fight sequence in which she encounters a giant warrior. Cao Jing started learning martial arts when she was only six years old and has won three championship titles.
Two of the most colourful characters in Chinese folklore, from the exclusive Peking Opera – the Monkey King and his zany companion, Pig – are our guides through the adventure.
Passed down for thousands of years from generation to generation, the ballad of Mulan, written during the Tang dynasty, two thousand years ago, is one of China’s best-loved stories. It is the inspiring heroic story of a strong-minded country girl who joined the Emperor’s all-male army in place of her father who was too old to fight. Through her warrior skills she was promoted to the rank of General yet throughout her epic exploits defeating all her enemies no one was aware that she was a woman.
The Artistic Director of The Chinese State Circus, Phillip Gandey, said that this was one of the most challenging productions so far. He spent many weeks travelling throughout China – in search of not only the best acrobats but also auditioning Peking Opera artistes, actors and Wushu performers for the acting roles.
The story of Mulan was adapted and written for The Chinese State Circus by Tony Wilkie-Millar and Tian Run Min. The original music by Mr. Wu Jia Ji and choreographed by Ms. Zhang Hongtao.
Alongside this Chinese State Circus show, and as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, The Lowry has programmed an exciting series of circus events. Other events in the series include...
Anderson & Low’s exhibition Circus, showing from January 16 to April 11, features a series of unforgettable images of a circus troupe working on Blackpool Pleasure Beach – shown in stunning detail both in performance and alone amongst the amusement park rides.
Traces by Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The 7 Fingers) comes to The Lowry following a rapturously received display at The Royal Variety Performance. This award-winning show, at The Lowry from March 8, combines traditional circus skills with the urban acrobatics found in basketball, skateboarding, street dance, Hip Hop and rock ‘n’ roll.
Finally, The Hot Dots by So & So Circus sees a contented juggler discover the perils of ambition in this unforgettable theatrical experience set against the backdrop of the 1930s Music Hall. This beautiful show is at The Lowry on March 15 and 16.
Posted on Monday, 11 January 2010 under Press Theatre Press