A perfomance for endangered birds debuts at NCPA
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E-mail CNTV, December 18, 2014
A dance performance titled "Crested Ibises," created by the Shanghai Dance Theatre, recently debuted at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. The dance highlights the importance of environment protection by focusing on the Zhu Huan, or crested ibis, an extremely endangered bird here in China. Here's a look at how that battle is being fought on the stage.
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A perfomance for endangered birds debuts at NCPA |
Elegant and agile, this dance performance portrays the beauty of the once endangered bird, Zhu Huan or crested ibis.
By combining traditional Chinese dance with classic ballet and modern dance, the performance tells the true story of the international protection of this endangered species.
"If the swan represents the west than the crested ibis must represent the east, because of its unique beauty and allure. That's why we've decided to create this dance. It might not be as dazzling as the peacock, but it is beautiful in its own way," says Tong Ruirui, director of "Crested Ibises".
"I don't want to just to imitate the bird's movements, it must be something more than that. My performance has to touch the audience, and resonate with them," says Zhu Jiejing, actress of "Crested Ibises".
Animals are a common inspiration for stage productions, but this one is hoping to give people the chance to see the bigger picture.
The show begins with the crested ibis living in harmony with people, an auspicious sign in China.
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A perfomance for endangered birds debuts at NCPA |
Gradually, as modernization and urbanization speed up, their nautral habitat deteriorates, which finally leads to its extinction, and can only be seen in museums, as a stuffed animal in a glass case.
"With this dance, we want to call for the protection of the endangered speices and to achieve a harmonious coexistence between people and nature. We're not superior to any other creature, and we only have one earth, so it's up to everyone to protect it," Tong says.
In order to make the show more authentic, the team researched and even visited the crested ibis reserve serveral times, to get a closer look at the birds in their natural habitat.
"Usually, when playing a bird, you would wave your arms like this. But after closer observation, we've realised it's quite different from what we thought. I have to act like my hands are tied, to make small movements with my hands and shoulder. It doesn't stare at you right in the eye, instead it would tilt its chin up, proud and aloof but very sensitive at the same time. To capture that is really hard work," Zhu says.
The crested ibises, widely seen in northeast Asia, was declared extinct in the first half of the 20th century, until seven crested ibis were found in Yangxian county, in northwest China's Shaanxi province in 1981. The government has worked to ensure that this beautiful animal is around for a long time, and it looks like the Shanghai Dance Theatre is doing its part to help. A perfomance for endangered birds debuts at NCPA.
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