A LARGE-scale acrobatic drama called "Era-Intersection of Times" will premiere in Shanghai Circus World on September 27.

Amy-Award winner choreographer Debra Brown from Cirque Du Soleil in Canada and renowned multi-media art director Erick Villeneuve have been invited to produce the show that incorporates Chinese folk art, martial arts, acrobatics, dance and live music to present the glorious history and present of Chinese civilization.

Three companies have joined to establish a company for this show: the Shanghai Media Group, the China Performing Arts Agency and Shanghai Circus World.

The three companies have very ambitious expectations for the project. Shanghai Circus World director Yu Yigang hoped the show could become a repertoire item, performed regularly in his venue until 2010.

Zhu Ziyi, vice-manager of the China Performance Art Agency said that although China exports many performance projects every year, most of these are still low-end. "Era", he hopes, could turn into a high-end long-life show. "The ticket price for a show can only be lowered through adding performances," Zhu said. "We should target our future audience, those in Shanghai as well as those in international tours."

The play has an estimated budget of 30 million yuan (US$3.61 million), including the re-building cost for Shanghai Circus World, required for the stage effects.

Most of the performers will be Chinese, including award-winning actors from Shanghai Circus World, but Villeneuve said that, in order to approach audiences at home and abroad, not only Chinese performers, but also foreign artists will participate in the show.

The two-hour show will indulge the audience with stunning stage effects of fire and water, live action and projection, but even the highest ticket price will not exceed 600 yuan (US$72.30).

Shanghai Circus World, located on the Northern extension of Metro Line One, gives regular acrobatic shows. The troupe boasts many international award-winning programmes in the past 20 years.