We are used to seeing martial arts, dance and acrobatic skills when various visiting Chinese troupes visit the UK, whether as part of a circus or within other genres. The Spirit of the Great Wall is rather different; a short selection of performances under the auspices of the Jilin province, which is in the north-east of China surrounded by Mongolia, North Korea and Russia. Although many of the performance sections reference particular ethnic backgrounds, most of the acts are familiar here but no less entertaining for that.

After a slightly clunky lip-synced opening narration by a beautifully dressed performer, the rest of the one-hour performance alternates between dance sequences and speciality acts. It is indeed, as the narrator’s translation suggests, “a variety show.” The ten female dancers are elegant and well-drilled, appearing in a selection of stunning costumes and dancing a bamboo hat dance from Dai culture, a Mongolian horse dance, a Uyghur dance and a Jasmine Flower number, before providing a finale by dancing and drumming at the same time in a Korean-inspired harvest dance. It is good to see these different ethnic groups recognised.

The music throughout was recorded (apart from solo drumming and flute) and was mostly an amalgam of Chinese and Western. This accompanied the acrobatic acts, which alternated with the dancers, and these were as impressive as ever. We have seen Shaolin Warriors in the UK before, but the section by the three performers here provided contrast in the programme and was popular with the audience. Two skilled jugglers also impressed; one with heavy china jars, the other balancing a giant and very non-traditional spinning steel cube.

Two instrumental acts were included; an impressive drumming duo who stunned with the speed of their playing, and a bamboo flute soloist accompanied by a percussionist creating the sound of horseshoes rattling along a road. Perhaps the highlight was a brief section of Peking Opera, not seen in London for many years. The sequence here featured the character of a General’s wife who sets out to rescue him from imprisonment, in the traditionally elaborate and beautiful costume complete with lengthy pheasant feathers, and a Monkey King who was an audience favourite for his virtuoso leaps and spins.

Surprisingly, The Spirit of the Great Wall seems to be appearing only twice in the UK, once at the Edinburgh Fringe and then for this single performance at the Shaw Theatre. It is a good introduction to a range of Chinese performance skills, and a chance to see beautiful costumes and considerable skills in a medium scale theatre rather than the large venues often used by visiting groups. It was also good to see a full house and with a large number of audience members in attendance being of Chinese heritage. The joy at the end was infectious, as many audience members leapt on stage for selfies with the cast. Let us hope the minimal recognition given to different ethnic groups in this programme is a sign of changing attitudes in a country which has a troubled history of coping with such difference.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Chris Abbott