Chinese Acrobats Fling in the New Year
By Kevin J. Gardner

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, 2000 is the year of the Dragon. But in California, this is also the year of “Dralion,” a fusion of ancient Chinese acrobatic tradition and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil.

“Dralion” premieres today under the Blue-and-Yellow Big Top at the Pacific Bell Park parking lot in San Francisco. Having just finished a winter show in Irvine, the Cirque de Soleil will continue its Californian tour in San Jose this spring, following a two-month show in San Francisco.

“Dralion” -- combining the names and images of “dragon” and “lion” -- celebrates life and the four elements that maintain the natural order: air, water, fire and earth. The sets, costumes and music blend imagery, materials and sounds from all over the world, and the performers themselves represent eight different countries.

A house troupe of 35 Chinese acrobats highlights the Asian themes that permeate this truly international and multicultural production. After reviewing seven troupes in seven cities throughout China, the Cirque de Soleil finally chose the Xu-Nan Flag Circus from the city of Kunming in the Yunnan province.

And they chose well.

“If I were Chinese, I would be very proud to see my people perform,” exclaims Francois Barbeau, the show’s costume designer. These particular performers have taken part in and won several awards at various festivals throughout the world, including the Wuhan International Acrobatic Art Festival in China.

The Chinese acrobat troupe presents a variety of high-caliber acts, engaging in everything from aerial dances to ballet on light bulbs; from bamboo poles to double trapeze; from tumbling on gigantic wooden balls to hoop diving, derived from the Chinese circus tradition.

“It’s a new presentation of over 2-3000 years of acrobatic skill,” explains Guy Caron, the director of “Dralion.” “People will be very proud to see new representations of their roots.”

The show features other Asian influences, as well. Costumes blend East Asian and South Asian traditions. A huge, metallic wall with steel and aluminum claws resembles a samurai coat of armor. And the music weaves together Tibetan drums, Hindu melodies, and rhythms inspired by the Chinese Lion Dance.

The cross-cultural flavor of “Dralion” reflects the circus-without-borders approach of the people who run it. Cirque du Soleil was founded in Quebec in 1984, and since then more than 20 million people from around the world have seen one of its productions, with close to 2 million in Asia alone. In addition to its international headquarters in Montreal, Cirque du Soleil has four regional divisions, including one based in Singapore.

“Dralion” also marks the beginning of a 3-year collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Oxfam America in support of youth at risk around the world, and will feature information about Oxfam on the show’s site.

It’s no wonder this show has sold out in other Californian cities.

San Francisco performances take place every day but Monday, and ticket prices range from $39 to $60, with discounts for children, students and seniors. Tickets are available by calling the Admission Network at 1-800-678-5440 or online at www.cirquedusoleil.com or www.admission.com.