MONTE CARLO: China`s Acrobatic Troupe of Shandong Province won the top `Golden Clown` award at the 34th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in Monaco.

The troupe took the prize for its stunt show "Man Juggling", which was specially dedicated to the Monte Carlo festival, said Tian Zichun, head of the troupe.

"Man Juggling" was staged with a cast of 21 men performing a variety of breath-taking pitching and catching moves.

The stage designers added even more glamor to the eight-minute stunt show with dynamic costumes, lighting and music.

The troupe, which performed in Beijing during the Olympic Summer Games last year, won at Monaco in a fierce competition with more than 150 acrobatic performers coming from 20 countries all over the world.

In the past five decades, the troupe has won acclaim at performances worldwide and brought home many trophies. In 1998, they were featured in the premiere ceremony of the Disney`s cartoon blockbuster Mulan.

The troupe was founded in June 1959 in Shandong provincial capital Jinan.

China Daily

Above: The Chinese acrobatic troupe of Shandong poses after receiving a Golden Clown award from Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Stephanie at the 34th International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in Monaco on Tuesday night. The eight-minute show titled "Man Juggling" featured breath-taking pitching and catching moves. Reuters