Leggy, plumed and scantily clad showgirls and classic and chaste ballerinas will both perform this holiday season. Choose among "Paris Plumes" from the Lido de Paris, a classic and chaste Russian "Swan Lake" and a Ukrainian "Nutcracker." There's also a contemporary Chinese-Japanese dance performance.

The hottest show, of course (though not topless because of our delicate sensibilities), is "Paris Plumes," which will stage for eight shows at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center next month. And their a dash of high-kicking cancan.

"Unlike other showgirl dances, 'Parisian Plumes' unfolds the history of Parisian cabaret in a story-telling way," says Wang Ying, media manager from the art center that imports the shows.

The four-tableau show begins with the appearance of a single white feather, which swirls around the dark theater and symbolizes Paris and its music-halls - the dancers are known for their exotic plumage and often little else.

Then the first tableau takes the audience into the world of some of the great women of music-hall, Josephine Baker, the revolutionary leader of her "La Revue Negre" (1925) - she often wore nothing but a girdle of bananas; Zizi Jeanmaire, dressed in her famous toucan plumes, as well as "La Mome" Edith Piaf and her "Milords."

The second tableau "Paris Jazz" is about the renewal of music-hall art and cabaret with the triumphal arrival of American jazz in the 1950s.

In the tradition of Lido, the Folies Bergere and the Moulin Rouge, the exotic third tableau usually relates the legend of Thamar. In a dream, beautiful princess Thamar dances with birds until she falls in love with one with extraordinary plumage.

Through a game of chains and clothes that symbolizes the supplication to and seduction of the masked bird, the queen of the night transforms the bird into a prince.
The last tableau "Paris Danse" tells about the Paris of landmarks, from the Eiffel Tour to the Moulin Rouge. It pauses in the temple of the Folies Bergere; there's homage to performer La Mistinguette, chanson star Charles Trenet, and naturally to women's legs and the wily women of the cancan dancers of Montmartre.

The show is created by Carlo Clerico, the third generation of the most famous Parisian music hall family, which has managed the Lido and the Moulin Rouge for more than 60 years. The 30 dancers, including five chief dancers from the current Lido show, will wear 250 dazzling costumes and plumage.

For those who prefer a more classic evening, there are tried-and-true favorites - "Nutcracker," the traditional Christmas show, and "Swan Lake," a legendary repertoire that never fails at the box office.

The century-old Tara Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater will stage the "Nutcracker" for two nights at the Shanghai Grand Theater. The performers come from one of the oldest, most distinguished and popular musical theaters in Ukraine.

A young dance company, Imperial Russian Ballet, will stage "Swan Lake." The company was formed in 1994 at the initiative of famed Russian ballerina Maiji Plisetzkaya, by soloist of the Bolshoi Theater Gedeminas Taranda and soloist of the Igor Moiseyev' Folk Dance company Nikolai Anokhine. The company is comprised of 40 artists from the best ballet schools of Russia - Moscow, St Petersburg and Perm.

If neither Russian ballet or Paris showgirls tempt you, there's a contemporary show tomorrow by leading Chinese dancer Huang Doudou, Japanese dancer Taichi Saotome and Japanese drummer Hidano. Huang was the principal dancer and choreographer for the Met's opera production "The First Emperor," premiered last December by tenor Placido Domingo.

Contemporary dance by Chinese and Japanese dancers

Date: December 18, 7:15PM

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong

"Nutcracker" by Tara Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater

Date: December 22-24, 7:15PM

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave

"Swan Lake" by Imperial Russian Ballet

Date: January 6, 7:15PM

Venue: Shanghai Majestic Theater, 66 Jiangning Rd

"Paris Plumes" from Lido de Paris

Date: January 10-13, 7:15PM; January 12-13, 1PM, 4:30PM

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong

(Shanghai Daily December 17, 2007)