National Day | Acrobatic ‘Nutcracker’ headlines reduced budget for October show

The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) has made significant cuts to its budget for the annual performance celebrating Chinese National Day this year, reducing the costs from last year’s MOP2.7 million to this year’s MOP1.86 million.
To mark the 66th anniversary of the Chinese National Day, the IACM, the Cultural Institute, and the Chinese Liaison Office’s Department of Culture and Education will again present a prestigious artistic group from the mainland. The show chosen for this year is a Chinese acrobatic version of “The Nutcracker,” which will be performed by 60 acrobats from the Dalian Acrobatic Troupe of China.
Ma Kam Keong, a member of the IACM’s Administrative Council, said at a press conference that at previous festivals, large-scale acrobatic shows have received an enthusiastic response from local audiences. He explained that money was saved this year as the show not only contains fewer performers, but also because the MSAR government is now saving expenditure.
With a history spanning nearly 65 years, the Dalian Acrobatic Troupe was China’s first acrobatic group to perform abroad for commercial performances. It has traveled to over 60 countries and regions, and is today considered an incomparable powerhouse in the Chinese acrobatic scene.
Combining classical ballet, dance, striking scenery and magic tricks with daring acrobatics, the group’s original choreography and Chinese-­style aesthetics create a whole new interpretation of the long-lasting ballet classic “The Nutcracker.” Having been showcased in some 500 performances in China and overseas, the first acrobatic adaptation of “The Nutcracker” has gained international prestige.
Two performances will be staged at the Macao Forum on the evenings of September 30 and October 1. A total of 6,000 tickets will be available at the box office from this Saturday.
Like students, elderly citizens and citizens with disabilities, Macau ID holders are also eligible to buy tickets at a special price of MOP50 before September 10, with the ordinary price set at MOP200.