Ever since Deng Xiaoping opened China to the world in 1978, that country has made an amazingly rapid transition from Communism to a market economy. And, the effects of this change on Chinese society are clearly reflected in the performing arts.
Indeed, it seems as if, only a few years ago, most dance coming out of China consisted of folk-oriented tributes to Chairman Mao. But, judging by the productions – both boldly dealing with relatively provocative women's issues – presented this month in Paris by two world-class Peking-based dance companies a vital cultural revolution is afoot.
The National Ballet of China's "Epouses et Concubines," (Wives and Concubines) at the Châtelet-Théâtre Musical de Paris, is a three-act performance, harking back to a film by Zhang Yimou that shook the cinema world back in 1991. The story recounts the tragic destiny of a young woman forced in the 1920s to become the second concubine of a wealthy official in spite of her love for a young actor of the Peking Opera.
Founded in 1959 by Russian ballet master Pyotr Gussev, the National Ballet of China is still today the country's only classical company, with a repertoire including all the great Romantic works such as Swan Lake, Giselle and Don Quixote. Recently, the company has been producing more modern pieces with contemporary themes and inviting guest choreographers from Europe and the States.
Parallel to this long-awaited first-time tour to Paris, an exhibit of the show's costumes will be on display at the Galeries Lafayette department store's gallery space from Nobember 8 to December 31, and a retrospective of Zhang Yimou's films will be held at the Forum des Images (Nov 19-21).
What promises to be the dance event of the season is Wen Hui and her Beijin-based Living Dance Studio performing "Report on Body" and "Report of Giving Birth," each bravely dealing with the topic of women’s sexuality and changing lifestyles in a China undergoing non-stop transformation.
Using a blend of contemporary and fluid movement and high-tech video images, some in real-time of spectators as they enter the theater, the first 70-minute long work, “Report on Body” brazenly and humoristically spotlights the erotic overtones of the relationship women have to their bodies, to sensuality and to the clothes they wear. Created by Wu Wenguang, one of the video sequences projected shows a young woman leaving her native Sechuan for Beijing hoping to find fortune. Instead, you see her going unsuccessfully from job to job, first as a waitress, then a hairdresser and finally as a "masseuse."
“Report of Giving Birth,” the second piece, is a mix of dance, theater and video. It is the result of five years research regarding the daily lives of Chinese women, maternity and childbirth. For this piece, Wen Hui interviewed hundreds of women aged between 25 and 90 who discussed their apprehensions, hardships and joys. The memories and stories of these women inspired this very poignant and often blunt look at their daily lives in modern China.
"Epouses et Concubines" (chor. Wang Xinpeng and Wang Yuan Yuan, staging: Zhang Yimou, music: Chen Qigang) National Ballet of China Nov 21, 22, 24 & 25 at 8pm, Nov 22 at 3pm, Nov 23 at 4pm Châtelet-Théâtre Musical de Paris, 1 pl du Châtelet, 1er, M° Châtelet, RER: Châtelet-Les Halles, tel: 01 40 28 28 40
"Report on Body" (chor. Wen Hui/Living Dance Studio, Peking) Nov 3-8 at 8:30pm / "Report of Giving Birth" (chor. Wen Hui/Living Dance Studio, Peking) Nov10-14 at 8:30pm, Théâtre de la Cité Internationale, 21 bd Jourdain, 14e, RER Cité Universitaire, tel: 01 43 13 50 50
