Dance drama based on classic work

Dance drama, Tian Gong Kai Wu, or The Exploitation of the Works of Nature, held its review at the Beijing Dance Academy on Sunday.

Inspired by the classic of the same title by Song Yingxing, a scientist who lived in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, the dance drama, directed by Lu Chuan, premiered in June and, starting in July, has toured 11 cities across China with 25 performances.

The production is a joint effort between the Jiangxi Cultural and Performing Arts Group and the Beijing Dance Academy.

"For me, this dance drama is a significant work and an entirely new attempt," said director Lu, who is known for his films, including The Missing Gun and The Last Supper. "My team and I took the important chapters and vivid illustrations from the full text of the book as the thematic and emotional cues for each section of the dance drama."

"As a newcomer to this realm, my foray into this field was driven by a quest to uncover fresh avenues of expression," he added.

"The dance drama exudes a distinctive grittiness and authenticity, serving as a vibrant embodiment of vitality. It seamlessly weaves together diverse art forms and philosophies, converging on a singular stage with profound tolerance and mutual comprehension. The potency it exudes parallels that of a finely crafted whiskey — a harmonious fusion of strength and aesthetic finesse."

First published in 1637, the book, Tian Gong Kai Wu, offers a summary of ancient China's manufacturing and farming techniques, earning recognition as an encyclopedia of science and technology. The dance drama revolves around Song's quest, portraying his journey to gather the techniques and tools and emphasizing the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese people.

It features star dancers, including Ma Jiaolong, Liu Jing, Lyu Kedi and Yao Liang, who, along with the creative team, traveled to the hometown of Song in Jiangxi province several times to get inspired.

"By working with Lu, we gained a fresh perspective about dancing since the director combines filmmaking approach with this dance drama," said Zhang Haijun, head of Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Company.

According to Xu Guanghua, head of Jiangxi Cultural Performance Group, the dance drama will tour more Chinese cities in the following three years with about 200 shows.