Canberra Review (Australia): NTDTV Spectacular "A memorable and satisfying spectacle"

Presented by New Tang Dynasty Television. Canberra Theatre.

The NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular provided a fascinating opportunity to view some relatively rare traditional Chinese classical dance and song. The programme was presented, not as you might expect, by a troupe from China, but by a large company of Chinese dancers and singers gathered from all over the United States and Canada, and including two who have worked with the Sydney Dance Company in Australia, Vina Lee and Xuejun Wang.

Sponsored by a New York based television station, the company, which was formed in America four years ago, travels the world performing programmes of dance and music inspired by the traditions of China's 5,000 year cultural history, with the aim of reviving interest in traditional Chinese culture. Meticulously researched, the dances are based on ancient Chinese religious myths and legends relating to Taoism, Buddhism and Confucian teachings.

It was not necessary to be familiar with these elements, however, to enjoy the spectacle of dozens of gorgeously costumed dancers performing relatively simple steps while moving around the stage in unison. With the emphasis of the choreography being more on the ensemble than the lead dancers, the most striking features of the company are the tightly choreographed mass movement, superb costumes and arresting backdrops, which, although based on traditional scenes of China, include some intriguing digitally animated effects.

How accurately the dances reflect the dynasties represented is of course open to conjecture, however, at the performance I attended, they were excellently performed by a well-trained company of beautifully costumed and superbly groomed dancers.

It would appear that Chinese classical dance has much in common with Western classical ballet, because evidence of classical ballet training was obvious in the supple backs and graceful arms of the female dancers, and in the "pulled up" bearing of the men.

Typical of the routines was a "Mongolian Bowl Dance" which involved rows of graceful female dancers performing an elegant gliding dance, each balancing three small bowls on their head. "Ladies of the Manchu Court" had gorgeously costumed women moving elegantly on raised shoes, while "Herding on the Mongolian Plains" allowed the male dancers to display their prowess imitating energetic horsemen galloping across the stage.

Inserted between the dances were an Erhu (Chinese violin) player and four "classical" singers, who presented their items in a curiously stilted formal manner, the tenor wearing western "tails" and the two sopranos in Chinese versions of Western recital gowns. Interest was added for the non-Chinese members of the audience by having the lyrics of the songs projected onto the backdrop, and by having two pleasant American "Ken and Barbie" comperes introduce all the items and explain their significance in both English and Chinese.

The heady combination of ancient dress and landscapes, digitally mastered sets, admirable themes extolling loyalty, goodness, honesty, and swirling energetic dancing provided a memorable and satisfying evening of ancient Chinese spectacle.

Source http://www.canberrareview.com.au/ed2096.htm