Rain or shine, for French troupe, open sky is the stage

Whether under the blazing sun or looming clouds, French aerial theater troupe Gratte Ciel knows how to display the unexpected and the magical on the stage.

In Huichang county, Jiangxi province, the troupe improvised to include the ever-changing weather as part of the spectacle, suspending performers midair in an outdoor performance titled RoZeO — Swinging in the Landscape during the Huichang Theatre Season from May 23 to June 2.

"This is a piece that was inspired by the shapes of nature — the wind, trees, birds," says Camille Beaumier, codirector of Gratte Ciel. "It's about reconnecting with what's essential: nature, life, love, death, all of these feelings that one experiences through one's life."

The show marked the troupe's first performance in China, and the resonance was mutual.

The piece RoZeO stands apart from the troupe's more widely seen work, such as their five-minute display at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where 18 performers stood swaying on poles above a bridge.

In Huichang, however, the performance was scaled down: three performers and one live musician carried the entire show, offering a slower, more contemplative version of their art.

"What we do is not drama, it's not a play, it's not theater, there is no scenario. We don't tell a story, but we create an opportunity to experience deep feelings. And I think that's one of the main reasons for art to exist — to experience those feelings," Beaumier says.

Presented as part of the theater season, the show quickly became one of the most discussed highlights. Performers climbed to six meters on poles, into the air as audiences watched them sway, float, and swing back and forth.

The poles themselves are slender, custom-built out of metal rather than traditional carbon fiber, allowing greater flexibility and height. Beaumier likens them to the long, reedy plants found in the marshlands of France, which also inspired the show's visual aesthetic.

That invitation to lift one's gaze took on a new meaning in Huichang, where a mix of urban edge and pastoral calm provided a compelling new context.

Ma Zhining, the founder of Maji Production, a studio specializing in outdoor art brokerage for China and Asia, first encountered Gratte Ciel's work in France in 2023 and later invited them to the theater season.

"For the performers, outdoor performance is never about perfect conditions," she explains. "It's about embracing whatever the day gives you and making it part of the story."

What made the performance particularly memorable was how the troupe adapted to the volatile climate. Each show had different weather — sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy, sometimes light rain — and Ma observed how the changes added emotional intensity.

"I noticed the performers seemed even more emotionally charged when the conditions were challenging. It was as if they were not just resisting nature, but embracing it fully," Ma says.

But it wasn't just the show that left a mark. It was the people.

According to Ma, the performers were deeply moved by the kindness of Huichang's residents. This spirit of openhearted hospitality was echoed throughout their stay. Residents often gifted performers with local specialties like dried tofu and fresh fruit, spontaneous gestures that the troupe never expected. "They were genuinely touched," she says.

For many in the troupe, this emotional exchange became just as important as the show itself. "They kept telling me it was not just a work," Ma says. "It felt like an encounter with a culture, a community, and a different rhythm of life."

Beaumier echoes this sentiment in reflecting on why they perform in public spaces.

"It's also why we do performances in the public space that are free for everybody to encounter the arts," Beaumier says. "Even if you don't have money to buy a ticket to go to a theater, to stumble across a piece of art that may amaze and inspire you in the future as a growing young person is important."

She hopes to return in the future: "It's not at all what we expected in terms of culture, in terms of our encounters with the people who are so open and generous and curious. We really hope to come back."