Due to the prosperous development of commercial theaters during the Japanese Colonial Period in Taiwan, performances given in Taiwan by acrobatic trou... (Read more)
Due to the prosperous development of commercial theaters during the Japanese Colonial Period in Taiwan, performances given in Taiwan by acrobatic troupes from China and Japan were recorded. After WWII, acrobatic troupes and masters from China, such as “Hai Jia Ban” of Chang-ching Hai, “Zhao Jia Ban” of Mu-qun Zhao, “Chang Jia Ban” of Chi-chao Chang Brothers, Tang-hwa Lee, and Cheng-kun Wu, undertook tours at theaters in Taiwan as entertainment for soldiers. In the 1960s, the era of economic growth, acrobatics enjoyed immense popularity, with troupes performing at various hotels and restaurants. In 1973, the Ministry of Education established the “ROC Comprehensive Troupe,” which was sent abroad to entertain overseas Taiwanese and promote international good will. In 1982, the Department of Variety Arts at National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts School was established and was later upgraded to the Department of Folk Customs at National Taiwan College of Performing Arts as the only department cultivating acrobatic talents in Taiwan. In addition, the “Comprehensive Troupe” was established. Alumni established “New Image Theater Groups,” “Acrobatics Space,” “MIX Acrobatics Theater,” and “Wukong Acrobatics” for the purpose of creating acrobatics new performance patterns and subject matter.
Folk performance skill in Taiwan is a part of religious heritage brought by immigrants from China since the Qing Dynasty to meet the need of greeting deities. It is a folk performance art with local and regional features in Taiwan. In early days, folk performance was performed by amateur performing groups formed by close regional and relative relationships (e.g., Lion Formation, Dragon Formation, Song-Jiang Formation, Tiaogu Formation, Stilt Formation, Chegu Formation, Plowing Formation, and Pat-ka-tsiong). Such performances have certain political, economic, religious, social, entertaining functions as well as a form of exercise to increase physical strength. Over time, this art form is still part of ceremonial activities in folk religion, while its forms and contents have been innovated, enabling Shih Jenn and Song-Jiang Formation to shine in the field of modern performing arts.