There’s something about watching a man, balanced on top of six chairs which are towering 30 feet in the air, stacked top to bottom and resting only upon four unstable wine bottles, who is also doing handstands, which makes one want to quit school immediately to go and become a ninja.

The National Acrobats of Taiwan performed last night in the Crouse-Hinds Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center in downtown Syracuse. Their program, called The Chinese Blossom, featured 27 different acrobats and performers doing a range of different gymnastic feats. Ranging from 10 people balancing and riding on one bicycle to tap dancing jugglers to a wonderful and skillful magician near the end of the second act, the entertainers did it all.

‘All you see today on television is reality shows, this is something different,’ said Christa Kilmatin, an usher for the theater. ‘There was nothing vulgar or violent. It was something mom and dad could take the kids to and enjoy, and not have to be afraid about what they might hear or see. It was almost old school in a way.’

Using a limited amount of scenery and props, the performers relied on their own feats of strength and ability to keep the audience entertained. Set to traditional Taiwanese music, the performer moved flawlessly from one trick to another, perfectly synching up with the songs. It was easy to spot if one performer became even the slightest bit out of synch with the rest because of how well the acts were put together and the extremely high talent level of the acrobats. Even the mock-falls from great heights were put to music, and created a powerful dramatic effect to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, even if they knew it was all an act.

Even the vibrant use of simple colors was breathtaking. Basic use of lights and monochrome background, which matched with the performer’s identically-colored attire, was just enough to allow the audience to focus on them more, without being too distracting.

‘I was amazed by all of it,’ said Mary Lee Berg, a resident of Solay. ‘It was different than you usually see. You usually come here for a play; it was a real nice change of pace.’

The production was split into 12 different parts, each with their own acts which could not be understood until fully seen. One scene was described only as ‘The Bamboo Story – Diablo Spinning’ in the program. This mysterious act could have only be fully comprehended when one finally viewed the vibrant green background which surrounded the performers, who were balancing multiple giant dragon poles upon all limbs of their body. This amazing accomplishment was only topped by the performers’ ability to juggle the poles from body part to body part, and then to and from one another.

‘This was not your run-of-the-mill act,’ said Bill Sandy, who lives outside Ithaca and brought his 6-year-old daughter Lisa to view the spectacle. ‘She loves shows and we came for a family night. Yet I enjoyed it immensely as well.’

Judging solely from the oohs, ahhs and gasps coming from the crowd, this was not a show to be missed. While the theater does not usually hold such unusual performances, the audience was not deterred in any form, and seemed to enjoy it as much as any Broadway show.

‘I think it was for all ages,’ Kilmatin said, ‘and all could come and see it.’

Published on April 12, 2005 at 12:00 pm