GERMANY: THE TWO CHINESE ARTISTS WHO WON THE 2002 INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL OF MONTE CARLO RETURN TO THEIR TROOP IN BERLIN

Record ID: 392479

  • Title: GERMANY: THE TWO CHINESE ARTISTS WHO WON THE 2002 INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FESTIVAL OF MONTE CARLO RETURN TO THEIR TROOP IN BERLIN
  • Date: 29th January 2002
  • Summary: VARIOUS SHOTS OF THE PERFORMANCE WITH GRANDE DEVELOPEE PIROUETTE OVER WU ZHENGDANS HEAD
  • Embargoed: 13th February 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Arts,General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB0N2UNU6ZHYSRYYZITK2LLGZS
  • Story Text: The two chinese artists who won the 2002 International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo have returned to their troop in Berlin to continue their performance, bringing the top prize, the Golden Clown, with them.
    There is a place in the German capital, Berlin, where they turn the laws of gravity on their head. This illusion at least is created by the Chinese State Circus, Yin Yang. The efforts of 50 chinese artists having been delighting Berlin audiences since December last year (2001), but now they are receiving even more international acclaim: two of the Yin Yang performers have been awarded the world reknowned Golden Clown, the top prize at the 2002 International Circus Festival. Now they have rejoined their troop to perform in the German capital for the first time since winning their prize.
    Wei Baohua and Wu Zhengdan are supporting partners in real life as well as in the circus-ring. Their performance is a gravity-defying combination of ballet and acrobatics. The ballerina Baohua dances as light as a bird on the shoulder or the head of Zhengdan. The pair have just been awarded the Golden Clown, the equivalent of an Oscar in the circus world, for their interpretation of a classic Pas des Deux. In Monaco as in Berlin, Baohua performed turns above the head of Zhengdan which would be beyond a ballerina on the ground. The crowds hold their breath as the courageous dancer builds up to her Grande Developee Pirouette with her hands and head underneath her, an almost impossible feat.
    The theme of a Pas des Deux is always love, and that suits the pair down to the ground. The two artists hold out for each others hands out of the ring as much as in it. They have known each other for 15 years, since he was fifteen and she six years old. Together they developed the concept of Circus-Ballet, in which today they are the experts. But the pair didn't come from circus-families. Baohua had demonstrated her talent as a ballerina at an early age, but then she had become interested in the circus and asked herself why she couldn't combine the two.
    The question was answered by Zhengdan.
    They would like to keep on with the strenuous training and performances for another five years before putting their careers on hold to start a family. They say they are working hard for their children's future.
    The Chinese State Circus will perform in Berlin until February 17th. Then, after three months performing, they will return to their chinese canton to celebrate the chinese new year - taking one very special Golden Clown back with them.
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