Opera Warriors — Shanxi Huajin Dance Art Troupe
An epic dance sensation was brought to life on Australian stages by sixty movement artists from the Shanxi Huajin Dance Art Troupe at Sydney Opera House Opera Theatre from the 14-16th of June, 2012. The troupe has performed in many renowned venues throughout China, including the China National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing, one of the country’s most celebrated performing arts venues. The troupe last performed in Sydney five years ago during their enchanting performance ”Forbidden Fruit Under The Great Wall”.
Produced by the award-winning creative team behind the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, “Opera Warriors” showcased the best of modern Chinese theatre in a captivating Peking Opera-themed performance of dynamic martial arts and modern dance across a total of four shows marking the end of Australia’s “Year of Chinese Culture”.
“Opera Warriors” recounts the story of three talented opera actors and the hardships and sacrifice they endured in order to bring outstanding feats of beauty to the stage. The story is set in northern China in the early 20th century and focuses on the journey of three young musical prodigies who all learn from the same martial arts master. After completing their training, the three performers join a theatrical troupe together. One day, their lives take a disastrous turn when fate and destiny play a cruel hand. One of them is accidentally shot while trying to protect his kin, while another suffers from a disastrous love affair. Only one of the three prodigies finds true success.
The show is choreographed by Mr Xing Shimiao and scripted by Ms Pik Wah Li (Lilian Lee) – one of Hong Kong’s most popular columnists whose screenplay “Farewell My Concubine” won the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993. Lighting for the show was artfully undertaken by Mr Sha Xiaolan, who was also the Lighting Designer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Wang Di, who performed the painting scroll sequence in the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, led the troupe of sixty dancers alongside Huang Doudou, a renowned male dance artist from China who also performed Chinese Kung-Fu in the Closing Ceremony of the 2004 Greek Olympic Games. The “Opera Warriors” theme song was performed by popular Chinese folk singer, Tan Jing.
“Opera Warriors” is an exquisite theatrical extravaganza that combines elaborate set design, gorgeous costumes, dynamic lighting and original music scores together with a story that encompasses the emotional spectrum of life; a journey of highs and lows where what seems like a disaster may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise.