With the greatest of ease

Acrobatics and gymnastics long ago crossed over into the performing arts, with slick productions that have set the sporting disciplines to music with thrilling choreographed routines. 
In these extravaganzas, every performer, every acrobat is a winner. Even without the edge of competition, the complicated routines keep you on the edge of your seat. 
Putting the focus on acrobatics as an art form during Bangkok’s 19th International of Dance & Music next month are the Flying Superkids from Denmark. 

They’ll be performing at the Thailand Cultural Centre on September 19 and 20.
Fresh from a spectacular triumph in Copenhagen (a record 11 sold-out shows), the Flying Superkids are raring to go and all set to amaze Bangkok with their astounding, high-octane acrobatics that can only be labelled as the best family entertainment seen in Bangkok in a while. 
Founded by Uwe Godbersen in 1967, the acrobatic troupe started with 20 girls, but soon grew to 400 members. 
Godbersen’s aim was clear. To turn gymnastics into a performance art, the routines could not be too traditional. They had to entail comic ideas, costumes and untraditional music and lighting. 
The formula worked, and soon the troupe was performing all over Denmark. The international breakthrough came in 1975, when they performed live on German television. Invitations came in from all over Europe and, in 1982, the Superkids went on their first coast-to-coast tour of the United States. 
Godbersen has since taken a back seat and the Flying Superkids are managed by his wife Lone and their sons, Lars and Svend. 
“It’s demanding to be a Flying Superkid,” says Lars, “but it’s not just all about skill. Skill is just 20 per cent – the rest is mindset and the will to perform.” 

Svend serves as artistic director and choreographer, having been a Superkid for more than 15 years. He not only trains the performers but also designs the lighting and choreography. 
Promising an entertaining evening, 30 performers from five to 17 years old, trained in artistic gymnastics – including singers, dancers, award-winning acrobats and gymnasts – will showcase what kids can do when they set their minds to it.
“Perhaps the greatest thing about the show is how much the kids love to perform,” says Svend. “You can see it on their faces during the show. Their joie de vivre always charms the audience. The show is like one big party, and the kids and youngsters jump straight into the hearts of the audience.” 
Suffice it to say that Bangkok is in for a treat. What is truly amazing is how versatile the kids are. They are great at gymnastics, acrobatics, dancing, hulahooping, skipping, singing and of course “flying” – they do jumps with up to three rotations (triple summersaults). 
It takes a lot of technique and a lot of hard work.  

What’s also important to note is that these children, despite their demanding performance schedule, keep up with their regular schoolwork – and brilliantly so. 
There might be a lesson here for Thai children on what can be achieved. Hopefully many of the local youngsters in the audience will be inspired by this performance. 
The tightly choreographed show, set to a thumping beat with amazing special effects, is peppered with solo acts – a Michael Jackson dance, a hulahoop act with 70 rings and an amazing routine using an illuminated Cyr Wheel (a large metal ring). 
The highlight in Bangkok will see a BMW car onstage, over which 20 superkids will summersault in 20 seconds. It almost seems physically impossible, but the superkids do it with time to spare.
The festival is supported by the Crown Property Bureau, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, BMW Thailand, B Grimm Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Indorama Ventures, Ministry of Culture, Nation Group, PTT, Singha Corp, Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. 

UP AND OVER

- Seats are available at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3191.  

- Find out more at www.BangkokFestivals.com.