The National Acrobats of Taiwan, Republic of China, bring their remarkable discipline and jaw-dropping feats of athleticism to Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Friday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 240 B.C.), dramatic folk arts and variety shows have been a part of Chinese culture. Over the years, rigorously trained performers have incorporated everyday objects, such as chairs, tables, bowls and plates, as props in shows that feature a colorful array of acrobatics, contortionism, martial arts, drumming and dance.

The National Acrobats of Taiwan was created from the merging of two highly regarded modern troupes, the National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy and the National Kuo Kuang Academy of Arts. Comprised of about 40 performers, who have received, on average, eight years of training, the troupe has toured South East Asia, North and South America and Europe in an effort to promote Chinese folk arts around the globe.

With titles like "Sprouting Spirit," "The Lotus Blooms" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the program's acts range from the stunning to the silly. "Up to the Wind," which involves an acrobat performing near the ceiling atop a dozen stacked chairs, is a real crowd-pleaser.

"By chair number four, my nerves gave out!" wrote a reviewer for the Dallas Morning News.

Artistic Director Lo Jih-Hung brings comic relief with his magic show late in the second act. Born in 1949, Lo is well known to Chinese audiences as the magician/comedian from the Hong Kong television show "Tonight." He hosted a number of other shows throughout Asia, including the popular variety/magic show "Ha Ha and Little Sweet," in the 1970s. In addition to his television appearances, Lo has toured with the Golden Dragon Acrobats and the Acrobatic Troupe of the Republic of China, and he was a guest artist of the Shanghai Magic Festival in 1997.

He joined the troupe that would become the National Acrobats of Taiwan in 1991 and was named director in 1998.

Lo is a commission member of the Taipei Craft and Dancing Art Guild and he has received the Public Welfare Award in Taipei in 1991. He has also received performance awards from the Taiwan Provincial Government and the Mayor's Award and, in 1995, he was named Outstanding Performing Celebrity in mainland China.

The Quick Center performance is part of the National Acrobats of Taiwan's third American tour. In 1998, the troupe stages an acclaimed three-month coast-to-coast tour, followed by a return trip in 2002. The program is suitable for all ages.

Tickets are $35, $30 and $25. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 03-10-2005 10:03 AM

Volume: 37 Number: 191