Clad head to toe in tight, neon suits, the troupe of six clings to the oversized hula-hoop-esque apparatus surrounding them. Together, they contort their bodies and twirl the colorful plastic about in circles, elegantly weaving between four other hoops lined with troupe members. Their intricate body expressions and colorful, swooping movements are among the many phenomenal acts they will perform for audiences during the two-hour visual feast. Daring ladder climbs, plate-balancing with long, thin poles on performers’ heads and bicycle rides stacked with fan toting riders will ensue.

The world-acclaimed Cirque d’Or takes the stage Sunday at the Hult Center for an evening of acrobatic splendor presented by the Golden Dragon Acrobats of China. For those who spent the first two weeks of August glued to the television for the spellbounding performances by the Chinese, this ladder climbing, plate-balancing production is a must-see sequel to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“It’s astonishing that human beings can move in these ways,” Billie Moser, marketing and public relations manager for the Hult Center said of Cirque d’Or. “It’s something we saw a lot of during the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies.”
Cirque d’Or is among the six events this year the Hult Center presents to Eugene. Tickets are selling quickly and Moser recommends students purchase their $10-tickets as soon as possible.
Chinese acrobatics date back more than 4,000 years, likely to the Xia Dynasty. The specialty sport didn’t garner the fame it enjoys today until it the country’s emperors were captivated by it approximately 2,500 years ago.
The once leisurely and unorganized form of entertainment evolved between 475 and 221 BC when workers incorporated instruments from their daily lives, such as wicker rings, tables, jars, plates and bowls. These props spurred an art form performed in spring time festivals that became recognizable to the Chinese people. Since then, acrobatics have become a wildly popular both in China and around the world.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats, led by choreographer Angela Chang and created, produced and directed by Danny Chang, have cemented themselves as the premiere touring company of the time-honored acrobatic tradition. This year the company, based out of Hebei, China, celebrates its 30th anniversary with a United States tour; it has toured continuously for 29 years.
Golden Dragon Acrobats, which has an office in Dallas, Texas, has performed in all 50 states and more than 65 countries on five continents. During the past four years, nearly all of the U.S. shows sold out.
Asian Artists Productions provides casting direction for the Golden Dragon Acrobats and chooses performers from the People’s Republic of China. After being handpicked in their early youth, around age 7, performers are trained in the rigorous art at boarding schools that dedicate half the day to performing arts. Many of the 21 current performers are in their late-teens and have learned to walk on their hands with as much ease as their feet.
Golden Dragon Acrobats made their Broadway debut in November 2005 and subsequently received two New York Drama Desk nominations for “Unique Theatrical Experience” and “Best Choreography.”
This past summer’s Olympic slogan was “One World One Dream.” Golden Dragon Acrobats serve as ambassadors to their country and help to link their audience to this universal message that incorporates unity, friendship, progress, harmony, participation and dream.
Moser encourages students to attend Sunday’s performance – to soak in and admire incredible athletic discipline, grace, brilliant costumes, ancient and contemporary music and dance, breathtaking skill, spellbinding beauty and timeless thrills.
“This is excellent entertainment that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” Moser said. “It’s a colorful, cultural experience, and acrobatics appeal to all generations, all of whom come back having had a fantastic experience.”
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