Weaving magic through dance

For the dancers who have been practicing classical ballet since childhood, the ballet technique emphasizing a straight back, an open chest and an upward extension went against the traditional Chinese expression, which is more implicit, downward and deeply rooted in the land.

"We are striving to integrate and express two cultures in one work. When Lin Daiyu buries the flowers, she leaves all her tears in the earth. When she stands on her tiptoes, it is a spiritual elevation," Qiu says.

To stage the premiere outside of China, the National Ballet of China brought six 12-meter containers of costumes, sets, lights and props to Bangkok, which included 1.5 metric tons of stage background installations.

The stage design for this performance was also exceptionally ingenious. In the center of the stage was a 12-meter-wide, 8.5-meter-high rotating backdrop, with one side being a red-and-gold mottled panel symbolizing wealth and prosperity, while the other side was pure white, representing a vast and pristine land.

One side symbolized abundance and the other emptiness. In the center of the wall was a round opening reminiscent of the doors of Suzhou gardens in China. Through it, the audience could glimpse the fates of the characters in the play.

"The performance really showcased the highest level of ballet in China. It's a successful attempt to tell a Chinese story with a Western art style. The lighting and stage setting are very impressive, which enhanced the storytelling and brought a strong emotional impact," said Surichai, a 42-year-old Thai resident who came to see the drama on Sept 20 with her husband.

As a fan of Chinese culture, she knows about the romantic love between Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu. "Beyond love, the performance brought us traditional ideas and thoughts of people from the Qing Dynasty. With the subtitles, the drama is easier for us to understand," she added.