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)