Dance Drama: Shaolin Temple

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Programme Introduction

The dance drama Shaolin Temple tells a legend of a Shaolin monk, a life-and-death struggle between justice and villainy, and a love tragedy with restrained Eastern beauty.

Tianyuan and Sushui are a long-married couple working in a theatrical troupe. They were forced to separate when run after by bandits. The badly wounded Tianyuan was rescued by an eminent monk named Hui Shan, who cured him with magic Shaolin medical skills. Later, the couple met each other again at Lantern Fair of Central Plains, but unfortunately they were found by bandits again, who hurt Tianyuan and caught Sushui. Tianyuan went back to Shaolin Temple. Yearning for Sushui and wishing to revenge, Tianyuan started to practice martial arts. Several years later, when bandits invaded Central Plains again, Tianyuan led a group of monks fighting back bravely...

The drama displays not only Shaolin martial arts and war scenes, but also sceneries of landscape and romantic love, presenting the audience with shocking spectacles and brand-new artistic experience.

Experts' Comments

The Shaolin spirit expressed by the grand scenes in this drama is what today's dance dramas lack and need, and the tentative combination of dance and martial arts in it is also valuable.----Yu Ping, Director, Fine Art Department of Ministry of Culture

This drama is well designed, produced and performed. It is inspiring and shocking.----Jia Zuoguang, Honorary President, Chinese Dancers Association

Once I watched this drama, I felt that dance drama has turned a new page.----Zhaoqing, Vice President, Chinese Dancers Association

It is even better than what I expected. Fantastic, touching and profound. The combination of dance and martial arts is creative. This drama is exceptional among Chinese dance dramas.----Xu Peidong, Secretary of Party Leadership Group of Chinese Musicians Association,Famous Composer

Prizes

2005-2006 Ten Quality Dramas of National Stage Art Quality Project

Key Drama, Art and Literature Quality Project, Publicity Department of Henan Provincial Party Committee

Gold Medal, 5th "Lotus Prize" of China

Excellent Work Prize, 10th "Five-One Project" of Ideological Progress, the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party

1st Stage Art Well-known Cultural Product of Henan Province

Playwright: Feng Shuangbai

Famous dance theorist, critic and playwright. He is now President of Chinese Dancers Association, Secretary of Party Leadership Group and PhD Supervisor at Academy of Arts of China.

"Shaolin, a magic name that spans ancient times and the contemporary age, a name imbued with a spirit that conquers mountains and rivers. Shaolin indicates numerous heroic stories of mercy and salvation. I would rather to be a messenger in wind, passing on poems of Shaolin..."

Composer: Tang Jianping

Famous composer, the first native PhD majoring in composition. He is now Director of Composition Department of Central Conservatory of Music, PhD Supervisor and Director of Creation Committee of National Orchestra Association.

"With hope, hope of realizing what was difficult to realize! Finally I have you! I am happy!"

ZhengzhouOpera and Dance Drama Theatre

Zhengzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theatre (Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Performance and Entertainment Co. Ltd) was established in March 2004. It is a professional company focusing on art production and performance following the trend of blooming culture industry. Based on the philosophy of "producing classics and creating beauty", it aims to be the most active theatre headquartered in the former capital of ancient China and produce classic opera and dance drama rooted in the profound Chinese culture. It insists on creating quality plays and performances, cultivating distinguished talents and attempts to become a top art group. In recent years, it started with Shaolin Temple and developed quickly. The youth version of Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival was one of its early achievements and Legend of the Luo River Goddess will be its turning point. Taking effort to be the "most active art group in China", it inherits everlasting Chinese traditional culture and produces finest and the most updated arts.

Presenter: Zhengzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theatre

Venue: Opera House ,NCPA

Dates: August 13-16, 2009　19:30

NCPA Website：www.chncpa.org