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Part 1: Circus Acts
1. Opening Parade, All Performers
2. Solo Contortion, Sing Malen
3. Balance Act, Seam Ratana, Boeun Heng
4. Clowns, Tep Sopheap, Tes Phearak
5. Magic, Sek Ny
6. Hula Hoop, Von Sokha
7. Juggling, Tes Phearun, Sok Leang On, Yim Sothearith, Nhik Soyun

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Part 2: Circus Drama "Building the Bridge to Langka", 2008
A new interpretation through Cambodian Circus
Performed by the Artists of the National School of Circus

The original production of "Building the Bridge to Langka" was created by Ms. Nay Nary, the deputy Director of the National School of Circus with support from the Asian Cultural Council/Rockefeller Mentorship Program i collaboration with Amrita Performing Arts. This weekend's performances are sponsored by ANZ Royal.

Synopsis: Hanuman, the white monkey general, receives orders from his King Preah Ream (Rama) to build a bridge across the ocean to rescue the captive princess, Neang Seda (Sita). He orders this monkey soldiers to pile up stones to make a bridge, but the stones mysteriously disappear. When Hanuman dives into the sea to find out what happened to the stones, he discovers that Sovann Macha, the golden mermaid, and her soldiers have carried away the stones. He is about to kill her, but upon seeing how beautiful Sovann Macha is, he falls in love with her. He wins over her heart, and they join forces in rebuilding the bridge.

Performers:
Hanuman (White Monkey General) Vong Vannak (contortion), Chin Chanta (rope climbing),
Sovann Macha (Golden Mermaid) Phon Chanpisey,
Monkey Soldiers:
Seam Ratana, Boeun Heng, Hun Ponleu, Seng Kim Hour, Meak Samnang Pheakdey
Mermaid Soldiers:
You Sina, Saing Malen, Sun Sreymom, Loch Pisey
Crabs:
Boeun Hang, Hun Ponleu
Lobsters:
Seam Ratana, Chen Chanta
Snails
Meak Samnang Pheakdey, Seng Kim Hour

Musicians:
Roneat Ek (Xylophone) Ros Dararith,
Kong Touch (Small Gongs) Ros Sokunthea,
Kong Thom (Big Gongs) Sroeung Vuthy,
Skor Thom (Large Twin Drums) Sroeung Sambath,
Sampho (Double-sided Drum) Soy Sam Ath,
Sralai (Oboe-like Reed Instrument) Kem Rithy

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Curtain call.

Research reveals that modern-day circus is very similar to Khmer traditional circus as found on bas-reliefs along the ancient walls of 7" century Sambor Prey Kuk monuments in Kampong Thom province, the early 12" century temple of Angkor Wat, the late 12” century temple of Bayon, the late 12” century Elephant Terrace in Siem Reap province and on wall paintings of the Kampong Trorlach Loe pagoda in Kampong Chhnang province.

Recurring war in Cambodia has caused the decline in Khmer circus. Until the above mentioned discoveries, it was believed that Khmer traditional circus consisted only of simple magic performances and traveling troupes, such as Par-Hee, which is performed in public to sell traditional medicines. Original circus featured animals, juggling, acrobatics and tight-rope walkers as well as an assortment of illusionists, magicians, and sword-swallowers.

In 1990, the National Circus School was established within the Royal University of Fine Arts. Presently, it is part of the National School of Fine Arts and consists of 35 students and 10 teachers. Though the school has been moved to a new campus, located outside the city center in a difficult to access part of town, the artists continue to develop their craft and persevere in their efforts to bring their work to the general public.

Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘eternity’, Amrita is an International NGO based in Phnom Penh, with US nonprofit status. Its mission is to promote, preserve and sustain Cambodia's ancient heritage of dance and theater. AMRITA collaborates with performers of the Royal Cambodian Ministry of Culture as well as freelance artists in mounting professionally staged performances of traditional classical work both locally and internationally, while developing contemporary creative expression in music, dance and theater. Capacity building underpins all of AMRITA's activities. Growing technical resources require more complex theatrical skills, as well as competence in arts management and fundraising. www.amritaperformingarts.org

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