December 12, 2002	Thursday	Shawwal 7, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec. 11: It was a fabulous performance by the visiting Xinjiang Vaudeville and Dance Ensemble from the People’s Republic of China comprising enchanting musicals, mesmerising dances and breathtaking acrobatic displays at the open air theatre of Lok Virsa on Wednesday evening.

The ‘Spin Lights’ segment of the show presented by Ms Gurlina Wayiti and Ms Ayigurli Maimaiti was a mind-boggling display of physical flexibility and body control. As if the capabilities to twist, turn, stretch and balance their bodies were not enough to please the audience, the two ladies were always playing with different size candelabrums with lighted candles on those.

The candelabrums precariously balanced on their hands, on the soles of their feet and even in their mouths, the two moved in such harmony that people forgot to breath. At the end of each segment, there were audible hisses of sighs of relief from the audience.

It was absolutely a spellbinding display and the awestruck audience was so engrossed in watching with gaping mouths that they even forgot to admire the two properly, something these ladies must be craving for in return for their efforts.

And it was only at the end of the show that the spell broke and there was a hearty round of applause for the performers.

Young Abdul Xukuer, the youngest performer of the group, also gave a thrilling display of balance on a roller placed on top of a high table as he grabbed bowls thrown at him by his colleague Duolikun and then with a deft push of his feet he threw those bowls high in the air and captured those on his head.

He kept piling those bowls on his head in this way which inspired some children in the crowd to approach the stage to have a closer view.

In fact the whole show, which lasted for almost two hours with a short break for Maghrib prayers, was filled with beauty and excitement, as each performer seemed to be trying to win over the packed audience.

The magician was entertaining, the dancers were charming, the singers were enchanting and the acrobats were simply exhilarating. Even the bitter chill failed to drive away the audience who waited patiently during the break and returned to take their seats as none wanted to leave ahead of the performers.

The only disappointment of the show was that neither Secretary Culture Mohammad Tariq Janjua nor Executive Director of Lok Virsa Uxi Mufti could pick up enough courage to accept the offer so graciously extended by the charming members of the troupe at the end to dance with them.

The young ladies and a couple of male members came down the stage coaxing the chief guest and the dignitaries sitting beside him to join them for a few steps and sways, but they ended up disappointed!

Ms Liza Wang, the Assistant Manager of the Chinese Recreation Centre, (Chinese Club), the sponsors of the troupe, extended special thanks to the embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, the Chinese Cultural Consular Mr Yuan Weixuai, the Secretary Ministry of Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Mohammad Tariq Janjua and Lok Virsa for extending their cooperation for arranging the visit of Xinjiang Vaudeville & Dance Ensemble to Pakistan.

Liza Wang said the Chinese Club would try to arrange more such performances by famous Chinese cultural troupes in future to bring the people of the two countries even closer.