Artist Tống Toàn Thắng, vice director of the Việt Nam Circus Federation (centre) with the production team of Thiên Thần Lên Núi (Angels Ascending the Mountain) circus programme. Photo courtesy of the artist

HÀ NỘI The first special programme combining circus art and rock music will take place at the national circus theatre in October.

The Việt Nam Circus Federation says the programme, entitled Thiên Thần Lên Núi (Angels Ascending the Mountain), will feature outstanding circus acts such as acrobatics, tightrope walking, trampoline jumping, juggling, hoop dancing, on the background of rock compositions infused with folk and ethnic tones by composer Trần Thắng of the Ngũ Cung Band.

People’s Artist Tống Toàn Thắng, vice director of the Việt Nam Circus Federation, said this first-ever collaboration between circus and rock music aims to present the audience with a fresh and captivating artistic creation, bring Vietnamese circus art and its unique characteristics based on the cultural foundation of the nation to integrate with global trends.

Each performance will be choreographed to different rock music, providing the audience with distinctive experiences.

Some notable compositions include Hành Khúc Ngày Và Đêm (March of Day and Night) and Lá Đỏ (Red Leaf) combined with the circus act men's and women's tumbling - 4-silk rope swinging women, Cướp Vợ (Wife Kidnapping) with the H'Mong Festival circus act or Ngọn Lửa Cao Nguyên (Highland Fire) with python performance.

Artist Trần Thắng from the Ngũ Cung Band said he was worried about how to combine the two art forms at first after receiving the invitation from Việt Nam Circus Federation. But the passion for art and the excitement for the first unique combination encouraged him to accept the challenge.

"I expect the programme to be spontaneous and non-repetitive," he said.

"Together with the creative team, we strive to create a new and unique artistic programme, thereby introducing Vietnamese rock and circus to the world," he added.

A performance at Central Circus Theatre. Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Circus Federation

Meanwhile, circus artist Tống Toàn Thắng believed this combination will be harmoniously impressive because both rock music and the circus possess a sense of freedom and can be combined with other art forms.

“Angels Ascending the Mountain will mark a turning point for Vietnamese circus and rock art," Thắng said.

"It is hoped that this first-time collaboration will open up new experiences for circus artists, rockers, and the audience, leading to the creation of further artistic productions.”

The programme will take place at the Central Circus Theatre on October 13-14. It will also be a stage with the highest number of circus artists, more than 60 performers in over 90 minutes. The performances will begin with the story of the origins of the nation and continue to its cultural integration. VNS