Raise the Red Lantern by National Central Ballet July 11, 2008

Time: 2008/7/11-2008/7/13
Venue: Tian Qiao Theater
Price: 100/200/300/400/500
Tel: 86-10-64177845
Web: www.piao.com.cn

Playwright, Director, Artistic Director: Zhang Yimou
Costum Designer: Jérome Kaplan (French)
Lighting Designer: Zhang Yimou
Performer: National Ballet of China
Accompaniment: Symphony Orchestra of China National Ballet
Conductor: Zhang Yi

After winning international fame with his 1991 film “Raise the Red Lantern”, China'sbest-known director, Zhang Yimou, reworked his masterpiece into aballet. This particular production is directed by Mr Zhang himself, anddanced by the National Ballet of China, with music by the SymphonyOrchestra of China.

Combining elements of Western dance and classical Peking opera, the ballet strives to achieve the film's visual intensity. Set in the warlord era of 1920s China,it tells the story of a beautiful but adulterous concubine caught inthe household intrigues of a powerful mandarin. With its themes ofwomen's rights, the role of the individual in an authoritarian system,and the heavy burdens of culture and tradition, “Raise the Red Lantern”has long been probed by critics—and deemed suspect by governmentcensors—for its potential relevance to modern China.

Synopsis

Raisethe Red Lantern tells of a girl who reluctantly becomes the third wifeof a powerful mandarin in the 20s of the last century. Her beauty makesher husband desire her greatly, to the extent that he forces her tosubmit when she shows reluctance. She protests desperately but fails toavoid her tragic destiny. She idles away her life by watching operas intheaters or playing mah-jong all day long. From time to time she wouldseek chances to meet her former lover, a handsome young operaperformer. But her private dating is spied by her husband's second wifewho is jealous. Her adultery is caught by her husband on the spot. Butthe second concubine receives nothing but a slash on the face from herhusband. Frustrated in agony, she tears all the red lanterns in thecourtyard. Their husband, also their master, because furious and puthis two concubines to death. Before dying, the two envious concubinesforgive each other, entirely forgetting their hatreds.

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