Acclaimed Chinese circus troupe to perform 'Cirque Chinois'

Contact: Cara Barnes
Photo of the National Circus of the People's Republic of China.

Cirque Chinois at Miller Auditorium Oct. 26

KALAMAZOO—The National Circus of the People's Republic of China will perform their program Cirque Chinois at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium.

The National Circus of the People's Republic of China was founded in 1953, making it one of the country's longest-running and most distinguished circus troupes. The group is especially acclaimed in China because of the unique acts in their program, including the great teeterboard, grand flying trapeze, group contortion, straw hats juggling and girls balance with bowls.

The Company has won over twenty gold and silver medals and various other awards at international circus festivals including the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Cirque de Demain, Wuqiao International Circus Festival, Wuhan International Circus Festival and China National Acrobatic Competition.

The Company has toured in 80 countries around the world. The Company's Flying Trapeze troupe was invited to perform with the United States' Ringling and Barnum & Bailey Bros. Circus companies in 1999 and the UniverSoul Circus in 2007. Additionally, the Company performed in Europe in 2008 for the Swiss Knie Circus, Stuttgart Winter Circus and Amsterdam Winter Circus. Currently the Company is on a coast-to-coast tour of the United States and Canada, performing their new program "Cirque Chinois."

Tickets

Cirque Chinois at Miller Auditorium is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is welcomed by Meijer, Zhang Financial and Honor Credit Union. Tickets are on sale now and range from $30 to $35. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 387-2312, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets may be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco ID is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.

For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at bethany.gauthier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2245.