Shanghai Acrobatic Show

Thursday morning, I was supposed to go to work after sending the boys back to Calvary Care Home (CCH). As there was a change of time and venue to drop them, I decided to take leave to spend that whole day with them again.

Since I stayed there until evening, Albert P suggested that I joined them to an acrobatic and magic show, to which the CCH children were blessed with free entrance. We adults had to pay our own tickets. He also invited Adrian and her mother, two volunteers who always looked for donated food and kindly brought to the Care Home, but they could not make it.

The five boys were divided to go with two cars. Due to a miscommunication, my passengers and I went to Melaka International Trade Centre before we learnt from Albert on the phone that it was actually at another exposition hall near the zoo. Thank God the distance was quite short between the two places. When we finally arrived at the right destination, Albert and his passengers were waiting for us. There was still ample time left for us to hang around in the open space before the show.

As soon as I saw the beautifully lightened animal-shaped decorations, I realized that I had watched similar items at Summit Parade in Batu Pahat two or three years ago. When Daniel told me about the aeroplane at the magic show that he had already watched last year, I immediately confirmed to have known the trick too. Since the outing was meant for the boys, I did not mind seeing the same things.

We were the first to enter the hall and sit at the first and second rows. After us, other visitors also came in. About ten minutes later, Shanghai acrobatic troupe was introduced to the stage to start the performances.

The team was composed mostly by children. Compared to the acrobats from CCH, those young performers from China were much more skilled after numerous years of practice.

In terms of physical force, the girls were not weak at all.

This soft-boned girl of nine years old had started her training at the age of three. She could twist her body at 360 degrees!

Later, she partnered with her senior again to perform an acrobatic roller-skating which had won them several national and international awards.

According to them, the Shanghai acrobatic troupe presented some of the fifty-eight skills every evening.

If we returned there the next day, we would see different actions.

Another highlight of the evening was the magic show. The magician pulled out several boxes from an apparently empty paper bag. As Albert was sitting nearest to the middle of the stage, he was asked by the lady to verify if there was something unusual inside the bag.

Last year, Albert had also watched the same magic show with the children. So the appearance of the aeroplane later did not impress us any longer. However, the boys always enjoyed their time as long as there was an outing, though they might not love the photograph session (Paul had gone missing for awhile).

I also always enjoyed mine when accompanied by these fellows. How about their "principal"? I have no idea. Anyway, thanks again for your treat, Albert!