http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/20...31_96863.shtml
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, May 31, 2002
T'ai Chi' - -Not All Black and White
variety show co-produced by Shanghai Acrobatic TThe show is not acrobatic; it's not martial arts; it's not dance - it's none of each but all of these and much more. "T'ai Chi," a spectacular heatre and China Performance Arts Agency (CPAA) will be staged in Beijing at the Poly Plaza for three consecutive evenings starting next Wednesday. . .
So the producers chose t'ai chi as the theme of the show and martial arts.
The Chinese characters for t'ai chi can be translated as "supreme ultimate," which is often associated with the Chinese concept of yin and yang, the notion that one can see a dynamic duality - male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding...- in all things.
Many of t'ai chi movements are originally derived from martial arts, although the movements are slow, soft and graceful, with smooth and even transitions between them.
The practical exercises of t'ai chi are also based on the wider philosophical context of Taoism. This is a reflective, mystical Chinese tradition first associated with the scholar and mystic Lao Tsu, an older contemporary of Confucius.
"These Chinese traditions and cultures related with t'ai chi are displayed in the show," said Li.
She designs the whole show as a "tunnel of time and space."
The performance starts with a little girl in contemporary costume led by two dancers - a man in black and a woman in white - into the tunnel where the brave performers with boundless energy show her, as well as the audience, more than 2,000 years of Chinese acrobatic traditions.
As the "thread actress," the little girl appears and performs now and then and comes back to reality at the end of the show.
Li Xining, director of "T'ai Chi," shared Wei's view. "Many well-known foreign circus theatres employ Chinese acrobats very competitive in the international circus world for their high skills. Yet it is not the only reason these theatres' productions sell well.
"Their performances are not mere acrobatics but a variety show with fabulous choreography, amazing lighting, enchanting scenery and powerful music," explained Li, a veteran director and choreographer of acrobatic shows, who also has rich experience in co-operating with foreign circuses.
Therefore, after a successful co-operation with Li on "Shaolin Warriors," a kung fu show selling well in Canada and the United States, CPAA decided to produce a "new-wave" Chinese acrobatic show for a world tour early last year.
The allure of the acrobatics has always been magical. But "T'ai Chi" has redefined the meaning of the word, taking it to the next level - a performing art without boundaries; ballet without gravity.
This is tragic. What does this do for the inclusion of Taijiquan in the Olympics?
Does anyone want to ponder what the fate of Taijiquan will become in the mind of the public at large?
Sickening, just sickening!