The China National Song and Dance Troupe will stage its new production Adventure on the Wonderland at Poly Theater from tonight to Tuesday and at Beizhan Theater from December 20 to 23.
With an investment of 7 million yuan (US$846,400), the show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the national troupe.
The "wonderland" in the title refers to Southwest China where many ethnic groups such as Yi, Dai, Miao and Zhuang live. So the show, directed by renown Chinese choreographer Chen Weiya, features rich ethnic influences.
However all these ethnic folk dances and music have been rearranged into modern styles by well-known musicians such as Bian Liunian, Wang Yougui and Wan Li, and dancer Yang Liping.
"We try to update these traditional folk dances and music to attract modern audiences who have seen numerous shows of this kind produced by companies from abroad," said director Chen.
Yang, of Bai people, is famous for her peacock dances. She will adapt her dancing to jazz-style music.
Tibetan dance Eagles Flying over the Snow-capped Mountain blends with Western tap-dance.
The creators also use animals such as peacocks, deer and birds on-stage and even recreate the smell of a forest in the theater.
(China Daily December 13, 2002)
