Li Yaping, head of Guangzhou Military Soldier’s Acrobatics Troup said, "All most all the performers started learning and practicing acrobatics at a very early age. For years, they practiced for hours and hours, day by day. The leading performers of tonight's show are Yu Wanqing and Chen Dong. They've grown up to lead the stage. The pair has been performed on over 50 stages in Europe. We spent more than 20 days preparing Beijing's performance, to celebrate of the 60th birthday of new China."
Dancing ballet on shoulders is no doubt the most breathtaking and impressive scene. The acrobatic pas de deux between the swan and the prince won the Golden Clown Award at the 2002 Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival. Inspired by the seven-minute long programme, director Ning Genfu went to renowned choreographer Zhao Ming with the idea to create a full-length of Swan Lake.
Whether it's to use acrobatics to interpret Swan Lake or use Swan Lake to showcase the acrobatic stunts, the attempt has opened a new world on what happens when east meets west in art.
