Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre scores again: magic act The Grapes Are Ripe wins Bronze in the Newcomer Competition of the 12th Shanghai International Magic Festival

On 28 October the four-day 12th Shanghai International Magic Festival closed at the Shanghai Centre Theatre. As a ‘festival within the festival’ of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival

A fixture on the calendar and one of the best-known magic festivals in the world, the Shanghai International Magic Festival is the largest and highest-level magic celebration in the Asia-Pacific region, and draws wide attention both within the profession and beyond.

Master magicians and newcomers from more than twenty countries competed in this edition's Masters Competition and Newcomer Competition. Fifteen outstanding acts were selected for the Newcomer Competition, in which "The Grapes Are Ripe," a magic act by the Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre, won the Bronze Award.

The magic act "The Grapes Are Ripe" is a fine work into which the Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre has poured its efforts in recent years. It uses Uygur dance as its physical vocabulary and works an innovative prop, a grape trellis, into its magic techniques; while foregrounding technical skill, the piece is also more artistic, more engaging to watch and more contemporary. The performer, Guzaliayi Abudukelimu, won high recognition and praise from expert judges at home and abroad for her practised, nimble technique and a performance with strong Xinjiang regional character.

To ensure the act would be presented flawlessly, the Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre invited Ruxianguli Aibaidula, Chairwoman of the Shenzhen Acrobats Association and a Class-A Performer, to direct and choreograph it. Coach Rukeya Abudureyimu and performer Guzaliayi Abudukelimu studied and practised diligently, overcoming multiple difficulties in prop design, signature techniques and mental barriers, holding several intensive training sessions every day, and thoroughly refining and designing the music, costumes and choreography.

In 2023 the act appeared in succession at the 6th Shenzhen "Golden Magic Ring" Youth Magic Festival, the National Advanced Workshop for Young and Middle-Aged Key Performers in Magic and Comedy, and the 4th Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao–Taiwan Exchange Showcase. Its Bronze Award in the Newcomer Competition at this Shanghai International Magic Festival fully displays the enterprising spirit of Xinjiang's young acrobatic performers.

The fundamental path for the development of acrobatic art lies in producing works and producing talent, and still more in the day-after-day practice of performing. The Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre will continue to uphold the principle of inheritance, innovation and development, further advancing cultural exchange, cultivating acrobatic talent and encouraging artistic innovation, and will contribute, through a vigorous creative approach that holds to the essentials while innovating, to the sustained and healthy development of acrobatics in Xinjiang.

Text and photos | Zuhere Yilihamu, Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang Art Theatre