Acrobatic anxiety

DONKEY DUO: Apandi, played by a Uygur actor, shakes the hand of his donkey sidekick in the acrobatic drama Yahximusiz, Apandi (meaning "Hello, Apandi"), in a performance in Beijing on July 3 (WAN XIANG)

Despite the success, Enwer Memet, head of the acrobatic troupe and a well-known Uygur acrobat, is a little anxious about the future of the troupe.

Fewer and fewer families are willing to send their children to acrobatic schools because of the strict and bitter training. The talent pool for the next generation of acrobats is shrinking rapidly.

One problem is that Chinese acrobats lack an adequate system to sustain them beyond their performing careers; and another is that as living standards improve in China, more opportunities arise for children to develop skills that don't require the hardship of joining an acrobatic school, Memet explained.

"Generally, it takes at least five years to complete the training of a professional acrobat," said Memet. "The training period is indeed hard for children to bear."

The acrobatics community still follows its traditional method of training young performers. Troupe members pay for school themselves, and though the government has established colleges for singers, dancers and theater performers, there are no state-sponsored schools for aspiring acrobats in China.

"Chinese acrobats are highly regarded around the world. Whenever we perform abroad, we always receive enormous applause from the foreign audience," Enwer said. "However, I wish the government could devote more effort to maintaining this form of performing art."

Enwer has made proposals to further the cause of Chinese acrobats at many meetings, and the government is starting to take notice.

"I'm pleased to say the government has devoted a fund to train 50 children in Shanghai for our troupe," Enwer said. "I believe with adequate training, these children can grow up to be acrobatic masters in the future."

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