The silent ladies behind the stage

The acrobatics, juggling, and sky-swinging are a big hit with audiences. But behind the scenes, the female circus performers undergo intense training and experience life-and-death pain.

Nowadays, when there are many forms of entertainment, the audience is no longer interested in circus arts. According to some members of the circus, there was a time when the circus had nearly 30 performers but less than 15 spectators came to watch.

One move can be practiced thousands of times and requires the endurance of each circus performer.

Before each performance, technical support crews help match music to circus performers.

Meritorious Artist Luu Thi Bich Lien, Deputy Director of Phuong Nam Art Theater, shared: "To organize a show, circus artists must work together seriously and with discipline. Technical departments and individual circus performers must practice and study hard to perform movements that are dangerous to their own lives."

Ms. Phi Yen (32 years old) has been dancing since she was a child but has a predestined relationship with the circus. "The profession chose me, I didn't choose it. I used to be a dancer, so I adapted to the circus environment very quickly," Ms. Yen said.

Ms. Thuy (42 years old) has been a circus performer for more than 30 years. She shared: "I have been in this profession since I was 10 years old. At first, I encountered many difficulties, but gradually I got used to it. I have 2 children who are going to school. Luckily, I married a man who is also in the same profession, so we understand each other and take turns taking care of the children when performing."

To be able to perform on stage, actors must train hard for years beforehand. With willpower, determination, love for the profession and a desire to conquer the peak, circus actors must practice day and night.

As a final year student majoring in Pedagogy, Ms. Tra My (34 years old) has a predestined relationship with the circus profession. "When I was in school, I followed my uncle to practice to stay healthy, but then gradually realized my passion, it has been more than 10 years. This profession is also very hard, last April, while performing, I injured my neck and had to brace it. That day, I was in so much pain that I was hospitalized for half a month," Ms. My shared.

More than 20 years is the time that Ms. Truc Vy (30 years old) has been attached to the circus job. "When I have work, I practice according to the script, when I don't, I'm free. I go to the gym to train my health. If the program is difficult, I practice from 2 to 3 weeks, sometimes even a month to finish a show," Ms. Vy laughed.

Starting her career in 2006, Ms. Dao (50 years old) makes costumes and sometimes works as a "chef" cooking for the actors in the performance troupe.

Ms. Tran Mon (24 years old) is one of the members who is living and working in the area at Phuong Nam Art Theater. The theater and circus troupe create the best conditions for the members of the troupe, currently the troupe has more than 30 people.

''I used to perform in Hanoi , I moved to Ho Chi Minh City more than 2 years ago. At first, it was hard, but everyone here is united so we are very happy and use that as motivation. To have good performances, we need effort, perseverance, and constant practice,'' Ms. Mon said.

Circus is a dangerous and risky profession, but joy and passion always burn in each artist in the troupe.

''Injuries are normal for circus performers. Falling from a height of 2 to 3 meters can still get up and continue practicing, unless the pain is too much. Each exercise will have different levels of difficulty and danger. Whatever is difficult and others cannot do, I will try to do it. Sometimes there is pressure, but I love my job so I try to overcome it," Ms. Thanh Hoa (38 years old) shared.

Ms. Hoa has won many domestic and international awards, including a gold medal at the Almaty International Circus Festival 2023 (Kazakhstan).

Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/van-hoa/nhung-bong-hong-tham-lang-sau-san-khau-20231020061241953.htm