Danish gymnasts to thrill in show

Team of 28 will showcase acrobatic stunts and various dances at show on Sunday

A universe unlike ours will be presented on stage on Sunday by a team of leaping, running and tumbling Danish gymnasts.

The high-energy show, Orbita, will see 28 gymnasts from the National Danish Performance Team bringing to life the journey of three fictional planets.

A blue planet will signify flow and airiness, an orange planet is cheeky and humorous, while the black-and-white "chess" is imbued with power and orderliness.

As the planets (and dancers) collide, the different cultures interact, creating harmony in the fantasy universe.

The show at Toa Payoh Sports Hall is presented by the Singapore Gymnastics in cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark, Singapore. It will showcase Danish gymnastics and acrobatic stunts, and also various dance styles including hip hop and modern dance.

"Danish gymnastics is about using the entire body, moving with grace, power and body control, individually and as a team," says the team's press officer, Ms Marianne Loth Pedersen, 29.

Colourful costumes, thumping music and props such as balls, rubber tubes and hoops add to the skill and artistry involved in the show.

She adds: "Our gymnasts are powerful, athletic, elegant and flexible. Many of them have been doing gymnastics since the age of three to six years old."

Their stop here is part of a six-month, 12-country tour that includes Japan and the United States.

The team of gymnasts, aged between 19 and 28, was whittled down from an initial 200 who applied and trained for 500 hours over two months. She describes the experience as "tough, exciting, tiring, inspiring and fun".

But it is not easy being away from home for so long. This year, the team are celebrating Christmas in Jakarta, thousands of miles away from home.

With the sunny weather in South-east Asia, she says it is hard to think of it as Christmas, but adds that the team is "maintaining as many Danish traditions as possible", for example, by making and eating Danish rice pudding.

But ultimately, their aim is to spread the love of gymnastics. In fact, they do not just perform in the different countries, but also hold workshops for children and adults to share their knowledge of the sport.

She says: "That's one of our main messages when travelling the world - that the sport is for all, for life and for fun."

nabilahs@sph.com.sg

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