Prepare yourself! Prepare yourself to be transported to an incredible, ancient land. Prepare yourself for the Divine Performing Arts’ Chinese Spectacular. This world-renowned performance is coming back to Canberra on 11-12 April with a dazzling new program. This is a journey to the land of the true China, a land of ethereal beauty and celestial enchantment.
It features Chinese classical dance with stunning high-tech backdrops; its gorgeous costumes is inspired by ancient Chinese scrolls; its music blends techniques from the West with melodies from the East; its artistry captures the eyes, delights the senses, touches the heart, and moves the soul.
China was once called the land of the divine. Ancient Chinese philosophy, painting, music and dance exemplify the harmony of man and heaven. Sadly, decades of cultural repression have seen these traditions nearly destroyed.
Today, a renewal has begun, and the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular is leading the renaissance of true Chinese culture. Through the language of dance and song, ancient stories are brought to life; the traditional Chinese values of loyalty, filial piety and admiration for divine beings are all vividly depicted and faithfully restored. Indeed, the parts of the show beyond Beijing’s control include artistic representations of freedom triumphing over oppression.
Audiences around the world have acclaimed this pageantry of Chinese classical dance as at once entertaining, enlightening, delightful and uplifting. Performers aspire to achieve a melding of “form, spirit, strength, movement”; they attain a realm of “using body and mind, unifying internal and external.”
Chinese classical dance’s rich language of movement and superb technique can express myriad themes, depict a range of characters, and articulate a wide spectrum of emotions. China’s history and divinely inspired culture is a wellspring of material for Chinese classical dance, and the form, in turn, provides an avenue by which to express the depth of that culture.
The Divine Performing Arts’ two groups of artists will tour over 60 cities for more than 200 shows in 2008. In just five years it has become the world’s preeminent Chinese cultural celebration. The Spectacular will be in Melbourne 28–30 March, Sydney 2–5 April, Brisbane 7–8 April and Adelaide 14–15 April. Canberra dates below. This is a show not to miss out.
Tickets are selling fast. You can book through Canberra Ticketing (02) 6275 2700, or online at www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
