By Hilarie Szarowicz
Columbia Artists Management and the Ministry of Culture of The People’s Republic of China continue their ongoing collaboration to present the Chinese Warriors of Peking. This new production is filled with high-intensity martial arts and breathtaking acrobatics, set during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), to tell the tale of two rival martial arts disciplines competing in the ancient Chinese capital of Peking. Under the direction of Qui Jian, the Chinese Warrior of Peking provides a culturally enriching experience filled with juggling, acrobatics, weapons handling, and live stage combat. The cultural show comes to Grand Rapids for a live performance on Oct. 30, 2018 at 7:30pm in DeVos Performance Hall.
Tickets are available at the DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena® box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. See Ticketmaster for all current pricing and availability.
The company of the Chinese Warriors of Peking was founded in 1958 as a group of Chinese acrobats and martial artists. The Chinese Warriors of Peking have been on many tours in the past two decades. Most recently, the company performed in Denmark for six months in 2011 and in Britain for ten months in 2013. In 2016, the company’s performance of Pagoda of Bowls was selected by the American UniverSoul Circus to tour around the United States with the circus for more than ten months. The company’s Slack Wire act was picked by Cirque du Soleil and has toured with Cirque du Soleil around the world.
The company acts have won many awards throughout the years as well. In July 2005, its Bicycle and Slack Wire performance won first place, Ring Diving and Spinning Plates routine won 2nd place and Diabolo and Feet Juggling won 3rd place at the 3rd Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition. In 2010, at the 4th Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition, the company’s Bicycle routine won first place and the Diabolo and Swinging Poles routine won 2nd place. In 2012, at the 5th Shandong Provincial Acrobatics and Magic Competition, the troupe’s Stacking Chairs and Swinging Poles routine won first place. Most recently, the troupe’s Spinning Plates routine won 2nd place at the 6th Shandong Provincial acrobatics and Magic Competition in July 2016.
