Chinese acrobats begin Southeast Touring Series

The National Acrobats and Circus of the People's Republic of China will kick off the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus 2014-2015 Touring Series at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Bedell Performance Hall.

"It's not often that we see a company which has both an established track record of presenting a traditional art form, but also has set the standard for a new incarnation. This is the Chinese circus -- a magnificent blend of the old and the new. You will be truly astounded," Bob Cerchio, assistant director of Southeast's Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, said in a news release issued by the university.

Direct from Beijing, the National Circus and Acrobats of the People's Republic of China was founded in 1953, making it one of the longest-running and most distinguished circus troupes in China. Internationally acclaimed, the company has won more than 20 gold and silver medals and has toured 80 countries.

Its most notable contribution came during the 1980s when the company started to change the concept of the animal circus to a new style of nonanimal circus, which influenced the pioneers of the Cirque du Soleil.

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the River Campus Box Office in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, by calling 651-2265 or online at RiverCampusEvents.com.