Leaping into the dark

When the show premiered in 2004, the response was immediate. The crowd erupted into applause, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. The audience, in sheer admiration, rose to their feet in a collective ovation. After eight curtain calls, the excitement remained palpable.

From its humble beginnings, the troupe has grown into one of the most prestigious acrobatic groups in the world, attracting admiration for its artistry, technical mastery and ability to fuse tradition with innovation.

Over the past 75 years, the troupe has earned 76 international gold medals, including four Golden Clowns, and played a key role in taking the art of Chinese acrobatics to audiences around the world.

"In the early years, we focused primarily on single acts, but as the art form grew, we began to create more complex narratives and integrated acrobatic performances, combining traditional skills with innovative theatrical storytelling," says Li.

One of the recent popular productions by the troupe is The Rooftops of Beiping, which combines acrobatics with other art forms, such as dance and martial arts. The show premiered on Nov 29 and has received warm feedback from audiences, especially from young people sharing their reviews on social media platforms.

"Acrobats today need more than just technical expertise. We need to be actors, dancers and even athletes," says acrobat Liu Sun, who performs in The Rooftops of Beiping."An acrobat should excel in multiple disciplines, pushing the boundaries of what we can do.

"The performances, which combine acrobatic skills with modern storytelling, are gaining popularity with younger audiences. They offer more than just physical feats. They resonate with the younger generation and show the full range of an acrobat's abilities," he says, adding that the costumes also challenge the acrobats in the show, since the male performers wear suits and female performers wear qipao.

Liu was a member of the men's acrobatic performance of the troupe, which won the Golden Clown at the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo in January 2025.

At 36, Liu has evolved from a small town boy from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, to one of the most innovative acrobats in the troupe. His initial reluctance toward acrobatics has transformed into a deep passion, marking his path as one of the most dynamic figures in the troupe.

Growing up in a family of factory workers, Liu was first drawn to gymnastics by his father's love of sports. But the harshness of competitive sports left him questioning his future. The turning point came in 2002 when Liu moved to Beijing and joined the school of the China National Acrobatic Troupe.

"I once considered acrobatics old-fashioned and boring. However, I realized that today's theaters are attracting more young people and even older generations who are captivated by modern acrobatic performances," he says.