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10 Performances in Cambodia That You Shouldn't Miss
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1. Phare Ponleu Selpak - Battambang Circus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,504 reviews
Phare Ponleu Selpak - The Brightness of the Arts - is a Cambodian non-profit arts school located in Battambang, offering support to children, youth and the surrounding communities through artistic, educational and social support programmes. Circus shows: November-March: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday April-October: Monday, Thursday and Saturday Adults: $14 - Children: $7 Show at 7pm, doors open at 6pm! Arrive early to grab a cold drink, visit our art exhibition hall and shop in the Boutique! Campus tours ($5): Monday to Friday 9am, 10am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Reviewed By karencO5849NO - Battambang, Cambodia
The circus wasn’t performing on the nights I was in Battambang, but I found out that it was possible to visit the school in the daytime for a visit. I asked to do it as part of the tuk tuk tour as it was on the way. For $5 I though it was worth it. The school provides normal education for the local children and additional circus, dancing, art and design classes for others wishing to learn them. You are shown around the campus, taken to the kindergarten, the kitchens were over 40 children are given free meals everyday, to the Circus Big Top, the practice hall, where the children( and adults) practice, trampolining, acrobatics, trapeze etc, the upstairs classrooms where they teach mime, acting, traditional dance and singing, to the music room where they are taught to play traditional Cambodian instruments, to the art classes, where they were learning perspective, portraiture, traditional writing and drawing and graphic design, and finally to the display hall where you could see examples of their portfolios. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the young guide that escorted me was really polite and informative.
2. Experience Cambodian Living Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,352 reviews
Join a breathtaking celebration of Cambodia's music and dance tradition! Take a seat in the grounds of the National Museum and embark on a magical journey! Our 30 dancers will take you through Cambodian mythology, ancestral traditions and village life. With live music, stunning costumes and charming stories, 'Earth and Sky' will delight visitors of all ages! "The dancers perform each of these numbers with truly infectious joy!" - The Phnom Penh Post
Reviewed By DebapratimC - Murshidabad, India
A must must visit while in Phnom Penh! ~ they display the true khmer cultural spirit ~ beautiful arrangement in terms of the segments of the show, use of props, costumes etc ~ highly trained performers with fantastic expressions ~ truely a feast of eye in terms of colours and grandeurs ~ grand live musicians ~ supports a noble cause ~ conveniently located at the National Museum An unforgettable evening worth every penny you spent!!
3. Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12,402 reviews
Phare, The Cambodian Circus "Amazing vibe & energy, transforming the lives of Cambodian youth" Experience Siem Reap's most unique, authentic top rated (TripAdvisor & Lonely Planet) evening entertainment. More than just a circus, Phare, the Cambodian Circus performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent. Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak's vocational training centre in Battambang. The association was formed in 1994 by 9 young men coming home from a refugee camp after the Khmer Rouge regime. They were greatly helped during that time by an art teacher using drawing classes as therapy and wanted to share this new skill among the poor, socially deprived and troubled youngsters in Battambang. They founded an art school and public school followed to offer free education. A music school and theatre school were next and finally, for the kids who wanted more, the circus school. Today more than 1,200 pupils attend the public school daily and 500 attend the alternative schools. Phare Ponleu Selpak also has extensive outreach programs, trying to help with the problems highlighted in their own tales. Phare The Cambodian Circus offers these students and graduates somewhere to hone their skills and a place to earn a decent wage. Money that will take them out of poverty and give them self-respect and freedom.
Reviewed By barefootfoodie - Singapore, Singapore
Definitely one of the highlights of my stay in Siem Reap, described by Lonely Planet as "Cambodia's answer to Cirque Du Soleil " We were treated to sheer talent and heart without the usual glitz and pomp. The performers gave their all and yet enjoyed themselves as much as we, the spectators did. Phare is a fitting name for the troupe as it means a beacon or lighthouse to guide ships at sea. Many of the performers were abused in some way or other and proceeds go towards a social enterprise to help youths in similar predicaments. Tickets are very reasonable and priced according to sections and then you can seat wherever you want within the designated section. The stage is designed in such a way that even if you are seated further away, there is no restricted view. As a most considerate gesture, all visitors with a valid ticket are also provided with a fan ( to be returned ) during the performance for a thoroughly enjoyable time
4. National Circus School of Cambodia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By shellybD873TJ
Great performance with dance, acrobatics, music and visual arts I'm am also happy it supports a great cause, helping impoverished kids in Cambodia!
5. Garavek Storytelling Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
Traditional Storytelling Theater Cambodia: (Currently closed for 1 month in low season) Join us for a truly unique experience in Siem Reap, our 45-minute Angkor show is held daily at 6.30pm at our downtown Siem Reap theater. The tales retell the mythical origins of Angkor Wat and the Khmer Empire, as well as the adventures of some ancient national icons. The stories are told in English by our local charismatic storyteller, accompanied by traditional Khmer music performed live by our multi-talented musician on three different ancient instruments. Tickets cost $7 and can be bought at the theater from 6pm. Enjoy a locally brewed craft beer purchased on the door (or bring your own drinks) and sit back and be regaled by the happy, sad, funny, and spiritual stories and music of the ancient Khmer empire. The most authentic daily show in Siem Reap. Not to be missed.
6. The Sacred Dancers of Angkor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 113 reviews
Authentic and sustainable: Discover the Khmer Legacy of Dance through the Sacred Dancers of Angkor. Immerse yourself into the heart of Cambodia history with this unique and traditional Khmer Ballet known as Apsara. You will discover with emotion this art, while supporting the sustainable future of these young artists from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Sacred Dancers of Angkor is the first and only spiritual troupe in Cambodia, which perpetuates the tradition with passion. Since 2007, the dance and music conservatoire of NKFC, a non-profit organisation, taught them the discipline in the ancestral khmer way: meditation, praying and mastering more than 4500 gestural, 5 d/w, 6 h/d. These artists, born in the land of Angkor, are now professionals. They have already met real successes, even abroad! Come to see the legends carved on the wall of Angkor coming to life, this is a way to promote this UNESCO treasure and contribute to the local ethnic development. Wed. & Sun. at 7pm in Siem Reap
Reviewed By 727caro - Staunton in the Vale, United Kingdom
This company is worth supporting, all the dancers that you see are in training. They have performed world wide as well as their twice weekly performance in Siem Reap. The garden setting is perfect for this delightful, traditional performance. You will be amazed by the delicacy and steadiness of each and every movement .
7. Apsara Dance
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By TAIN2013 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The traditional Apsara dance performance is held in the courtyard of the luxury Sofitel hotel. The open air performance is combined with a traditional dinner buffet with the food held in clay pots and plants and trees serving as the back-drop. Lanterns strung from the trees provide an intimate ambience. The performance is held next to a small lake which gives it a very natural and traditional setting. The performance itself has several acts related to Cambodian history and culture in addition to the traditional Apsara dance. The dancers wear exquisite traditional costumes and the performance is accompanied by live music performed by a local band. Food is excellent although the menu is more traditional Khmer. Service is excellent. This is a great way to get a taste of with Cambodian history and Khmer culture in a smaller and more intimate setting.
8. Traditional Khmer Dancing at Cambodian Children's House of Peace
9. Khmer Kickboxing Siem Reap
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Kbach Kun Boran Khmer Pradal Serey, traditional Cambodian free fighting, better known as Kun Khmer and to the world as kickboxing, has come to Siem Reap. You can find it carved on the temple walls and now, thanks to CTN, you can see it live in the ancient capital of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder. Kun Khmer is Cambodia's national sport. For proof, just see how much kickboxing goes on in the modern capital, Phnom Penh: six television stations broadcast weekly tournaments, with CTN alone broadcasting three days of kickboxing live from its arena on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. That's over 50 live bouts of traditional kickboxing every week, or more than 200 a month. But, until now you had to be in Phnom Penh if you wanted to see regular Khmer boxing live in person. That was until CTN opened its brand new Angkor Arena in Siem Reap on the road to Angkor Wat. Now you can see some of the biggest names in Kun Khmer take each other on in the square ring for five rounds of one of the toughest stand-up contact sports in the world. Neak Pradal (boxers) may strike each other with their fists, elbows, knees and feet.They may not strike the groin or the back or top of the head.They may grapple (clinch) each other during a bout.If grappling boxers fall to the mat they must disengage.They may not hold the ring ropes for support.They may not strike an opponent lying on the mat or who has three limbs touching the mat.A bout can end by doctor-stoppage, referee stoppage or knock-out.If a bout lasts five scheduled rounds the winner will be decided by the judges' scores.All bouts will be accompanied by traditional music.Tickets can be purchased from Beyond Unique Escapes!
10. Shadow Puppet Show
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By L8064NKannag
Since I wanted a little change from the sightseeing program, I booked the shadow theatre. I was greeted at the door by the organizer and his dog Archi. I immediately felt welcome. First there was a short film about how the leather dolls were made, then the show started. The actors wrote the story themselves and did a great job. All the leather dolls were made by themselves and are beautiful. The audience was involved in the show and they had some funny scenes as well. There was also a small band that underlined the show musically very well. After the show I could talk to the artists and try it out for myself. It was a great evening! Many thanks to the artists! The show and the whole scenery are absolutely recommendable
