Leaping into the dark

But in the world of acrobatics, few moments were as triumphant as the debut of Bowls Pagoda, which won the Golden Clown award during the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo in 2004. This groundbreaking performance not only marked a pivotal point in the history of the troupe, but also pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in the realm of circus arts. It was a story of risk, innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence, recalls Sun.

"At the time, the troupe was experiencing a period of low morale with the market shrinking and a lack of incoming talent, and we had never won the coveted Golden Clown, a symbol of excellence in the circus world," recalls Sun. "The performance normally used seven acrobats, but we decided to involve 13 performers for the competition, a bold and daring move."

Sun adds that they also redesigned the choreography, incorporating innovative moves like the "chair toss and catch" and a series of gravity-defying "switching poles" stunts. The technical difficulty was ramped up dramatically, but the team was determined to create a performance that was both thrilling and artistically rich. The result was a stunning fusion of modern dance and acrobatic artistry, featuring elements of Eastern fashion and mysticism that captivated the audience.