ATHENS, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — (Reporters: Chen Gang, Liu Baiyun) On the evening of the 10th, thousands of audience members at the Christmas Theatre, Athens held their breath. Under the stage spotlight, a female artist from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe stood on tiptoes steadily on her male counterpart’s shoulder. Stretching, spinning and freezing in pose, she looked just like a swan about to spread its wings. The moment the movement finished, thunderous applause erupted in the theatre.
On the evening of September 10, artists from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe perform the original acrobatic drama Swan at the Christmas Theatre, Athens, Greece. (Photo by Marios Lolos, Xinhua)
In 2024, performances by the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe at the Christmas Theatre, Athens were warmly received by Greek audiences. Two years later, the artists returned with their original acrobatic drama Swan, specially tailored for Greek viewers.
Swan is an original realistic-themed acrobatic drama inspired by the life experiences of Chinese acrobats. It tells the story of a young acrobat chasing her dream, creating Acrobatic Ballet on Shoulders, and growing into a “swan”. While retaining the highly difficult stunts characteristic of Chinese acrobatics, the production integrates ballet and theatrical elements to deliver a brand-new aesthetic experience for audiences.
On the evening of September 10, artists from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe perform the original acrobatic drama Swan at the Christmas Theatre, Athens, Greece. (Photo by Marios Lolos, Xinhua)
Multi-layer gauze curtains, projections, lighting and stage machinery jointly build a visually immersive space with profound depth and fluidity. Scenes from training grounds in reality, the inner struggles of characters and dreamworlds interweave continuously. Light and shadow flow like rippling water, forming a shifting stage tableau alongside the performers’ movements, winning repeated applause from the audience.
On the evening of September 10, artists from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe perform the original acrobatic drama Swan at the Christmas Theatre, Athens, Greece. (Photo by Marios Lolos, Xinhua)
As the story unfolds, Greek audiences moved from marveling at the technical feats to understanding the characters’ journeys, completing a transition from visual awe to emotional resonance and experiencing a fresh aesthetic impact.
After the premiere in Athens, the troupe took multiple curtain calls. The audience stood and applauded warmly, with many lining up in front of the stage to take photos with the artists.
Audiences take photos with Chinese artists after the performance on September 10. (Photo by Marios Lolos)
“This is the most wonderful show I have ever watched. I never imagined a performance could be so touching. It is unique and absolutely brilliant,” Greek spectator Markos Kantzios told reporters in an interview after the show. “These artists are truly talented, yet I believe it is more than natural gift. What matters more is the countless hours of practice behind them, together with their perseverance and dedication. They have brought so much joy to our lives. I am so grateful to share this moment with such gifted performers.”
Sofia, a Greek girl learning rhythmic gymnastics, was especially fascinated by the ballet and acrobatic sequences. She was deeply impressed by the scene where the female performer spins in mid-air and is caught steadily. “I have never seen anything like this. I will tell my friends to come and watch,” she said. “After watching the show, I also want to try such movements.”
Among the crowd waiting for photos, Nikos stood in the queue with his 10-year-old daughter Athena and 8-year-old daughter Dora. “This is a one-of-a-kind show,” Nikos remarked. Athena, who learns ballet, told reporters it was her first time watching Chinese acrobatics. She had learned about this Chinese acrobatic drama blended with ballet elements from her aunt Bella, who works in Beijing. Her father specially brought the two sisters to the theatre.
Wu Zhengdan, Artistic Director of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe and prototype of the story behind Swan, said the work draws on the real growth experiences of acrobats. The troupe hopes audiences from all countries can see the dedication behind the performers through the stage. “Anyone who has strived in any field can find a reflection of themselves in this production.”
Wang Wanping, founder of the China-Greece International Theatre Festival and representative of the organizer for the Greece tour, said artistic innovations such as Swan offer richer and more vivid ways to tell Chinese stories, enabling audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds to achieve artistic resonance.
Artists of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe take curtain calls after the performance on September 10. (Photo by Marios Lolos, Xinhua)
The ongoing Greece tour is a key project of the 2026 Guangzhou Culture Week, and also one of the international communication and promotion projects funded by the National Arts Fund of China for 2025. Prior to Athens, the show ran for four consecutive days in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. Performances in Athens will continue until the 14th.