5-day Traditional Chinese Performing Arts Wraps up Successful Toronto Run
Posted by chinaview on October 4, 2008
Epoch Times Staff Oct 1, 2008 -
- (Victor Chen/The Epoch Times)
Celebrities, politicians, artists and CEOs alike were captivated by the Mid-Autumn Spectacular, a Chinese cultural show that just completed a five-day run at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre.
The force behind the Spectacular is the New York-based Divine Performing Arts, a group of leading artists who have been reviving China’s ancient culture using the best of traditional Chinese performing arts.
Olympic figure skating champion Elvis Stojko, who attended Saturday night’s performance, said after the show that “everything was impressive.”
“I felt a sense of happiness and a sense of peace when I finished watching the whole thing,” said Stojko.
“It’s a breath of fresh air and there’s a great lyricism and a great sense of, how can I put it, there’s that delicacy to the way that the dances are done.”
Fashion designer Dan Liu, creator of the Tatsuaki fashion line sold at Holt Renfrew, said the Spectacular will inspire his next collection.
“The show is spectacular. I was surprised, honestly. I can only say — stunning, I must repeat again — I’m stunned,” said Liu.
“Trust me, the costumes gave me a lot of ideas for my next collection. I’m going to design more Chinese-style dresses and outfits. They looked fantastic. Tonight I’m going to go home and go back to my office and just close the windows, close the doors, and just start drawing.”
Vanessa Harwood, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, is also a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and actor. It was Ms Harwood’s second time seeing the Spectacular.
“I enjoyed it again very much. As you know it’s my second time and once again I’m still taken with my Mongolian dancers. They’re still my favourite even though the whole program was very delightful. And the two MC’s were great too … very funny.”
Ms. Harwood said it was “very nice” to see Michelle Ren, one of the principal dancers in the Spectacular.
“She’s beautiful. She was delightful, very passionate. She has more experience and you can feel that in her portrayals of some of the more emotional things.”
Ms. Harwood attended the show with her friend, Nadia Potts, director of Ryerson’s Dance Program and also a former principal dancer in the National Ballet.
“I really enjoyed it,” said Ms. Potts. “I was impressed by the ardency and the passion of the dancers and how beautifully rehearsed they are. They all seem to really enjoy what they’re doing.”
The two also shared their observations on some of the unique characteristics of Chinese classical dance.
“The feet are very different, and the hands and everything because it’s all very specific – where the hands go, the way the arms are held, where the head is held and so on. And they’re very true to it … It was beautiful,” said Ms. Harwood.
“Everything has meaning,” added Ms. Potts. “Sometimes we miss that in today’s performers.”
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