Peking circus slated for Paramount

Published 12:25 pm Monday, November 9, 2015

Ashland, Ky. — The National Circus of the People’s Republic of China will perform in “Peking Dreams” Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Arts Center.

The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China 2014 was founded in 1951 and has been one of the most acclaimed acrobatic troupes in China. Over several generations, the company has developed many unique acrobatic acts like “Global Motorcycling,” “Kicking Bowls to Heads on High Unicycles,” “Russian Bars In Chinese Traditional Style,” “Chinese Poles In Shaolin Style,” “Diving Through Moving Hoops,” “Aerial Bungee Tumblings,” and “Aerial Tissue Flowers.”

These acts have been enjoyed and praised by Chinese and foreign audiences for decades. Since its inception in 1951, there have been more than 200 artists of the company that have won the gold and silver awards at international and national acrobatic competitions and circus festivals.

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In 1972, the company visited the United States with 72 artists who were invited as guests to the White House by President Richard Nixon while on tour. As performing arts ambassadors, the company played a key role in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, whose governments at that time had no formal diplomatic ties.

More than 40 years later, the company has toured 500 cities in 70 countries. In 2012, five troupes and teams from the company traveled to Germany, Turkey, Taiwan and Singapore.

Since 1999, the company has also created several impressive productions, such as “Mirage,” “Mirage of Dragons,” “Confuscise,” “Pirates!” and “Sun Birds.” These productions have been performed across Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Argentina and Chile. For its 2014 North American tour, the company, under the direction of Han Ning and associate director Zhong Li, will bring a brand new production.

Tickets rank from $25, $35, and $40. To purchase tickets call the Paramount box office at 606-324-0007 or visit Paramount ArtsCenter.com. “Peking Dreams” is sponsored by WOWK, WKEE FM, The Greater Ashland Beacon, and The Kentucky Arts Council.