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Culture丨Dance drama steps back in time

CHINADAILY · 公众号 · 时评 · 2025-01-26 11:36

正文

A Chinese dance drama The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, which reimagines an iconic Song Dynasty (960-1279) scroll through the lens of a modern researcher, recently made its US debut.

Produced by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the performance took place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York during six shows from Jan 10 to 12, after stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

▲ The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, a Chinese dance drama, which reimagines an iconic Song Dynasty (960-1279) scroll, is staged in New York on Jan 11. Photo/China News Service

Audiences expressed admiration for the show's artistic and cultural depth with many highlighting the significance of preserving and showcasing traditional Chinese culture on the global stage and finding the performance both moving and educational.

"There's a bit of emotion, even some tears — it's quite moving. I think the way the story is interwoven and the depth behind each scene showcases the continuity of Chinese culture," Liang Yinzi, an audience member in New York told China Daily. Like Liang, many Chinese people from the East Coast and Canada traveled to New York to watch the show. She expressed her pride in seeing Chinese art presented authentically on the international stage.

"The preservation and inheritance of traditional culture are so important. It's truly touching and inspiring to witness it," she says.

Ronald Tiersky, another audience member in New York, also speaks highly of the group's performance. "The style and characterization — it's completely (different) from anything that's American. Because of that, it was very striking," he says, adding that he enjoyed the drama's dancing and cultural elements.

▲ Dancers of the drama, produced by China Oriental Performing Arts Group, greet a fully packed theater in New York on Jan 11. Photo/China News Service

Another audience member Chris Garriott says he had an "amazing" experience. "I loved the music, the dancing, the colors, everything. The spectacle was great," Garriott says. "I think the performers did an excellent job bringing a scroll painting to life through dance, music and singing. Seeing it onstage was truly incredible and so well done."

The dance made him want to explore the story behind it, he adds.

The show tells the story of a modern cultural relic researcher who, on the eve of exhibiting A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, explores the inner world of Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) painter Wang Ximeng. Traveling back 900 years, the researcher witnesses the artist's commitment as he collaborates with artisans to create the iconic scroll.

The 468.5-inch (11.9-meter) scroll employs Chinese gongbi (meticulous depiction) techniques and vibrant mineral pigments to depict the beauty of China's vast landscapes. Now housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing, it is among the most renowned paintings in Chinese history.

Through seven chapters, such as "Unfolding the Scroll" and "Into the Painting", the dance reimagines Wang's creative processes, blending performances with natural landscapes to honor Chinese artistry and craftsmanship.

To Nancy Wolin, another audience member, the show told a good story. "Seeing the replica of the painting brought it to life in such a powerful way," she says.

One scene she particularly enjoyed was the depiction of people weaving silk, which made her realize that every step in creating a masterpiece is essential, Wolin adds.

▲ Performers greet the audience after the show. Photo/China News Service

Throughout the depiction of the painting's creation, the dance honors the creators and custodians of Chinese culture. It showcases the craftsmanship of artisans that has become a treasured part of China's intangible cultural heritage, passed down through generations and brought to life onstage.

Audience member Ria Stern says she has spent a lot of time traveling to China for work, so she's somewhat familiar with Chinese culture. "I think the deep interest in history and the respect that accompanies it are some of my favorite aspects of Chinese culture," Stern says, adding that the dance serves as another window into viewing more about the art and history of China.

For actor Zhang Han, who played the painter Wang in the performance, the enthusiastic audiences were impressive.

"I didn't expect the New York audience to be so passionate. During our curtain call, the cheers grew louder with each return to the stage," Zhang says. "It's a great honor to share Chinese culture in New York, a city known for its rich theater traditions and deep appreciation for the performing arts, especially with Broadway at its heart."

Bringing a Chinese show to Broadway carries special significance and marks an important milestone, Zhang adds.

He also saw many Chinese people in the audience. "For them, seeing such a uniquely Chinese cultural and artistic expression in a foreign country must be deeply moving," he says, adding that he hopes he and his team can "perform abroad more often, connect with more people, and share the beauty of our culture with the world".

Meng Qingyang, who performed the lead role of Green, believes that "although there are geographical and cultural differences, we hope to share the essence of Chinese dance and culture with the New York audience through artistic expression".

As they traveled to different cities for each performance, they kept refining their craft and gained a deeper understanding of the characters they portray, according to Meng. "This journey fills us with a pride that will stay with us every step of the way," Meng adds.

The dance drama will return to the United States in September and there will be more Chinese shows on the international stage, says Jing Xiaoyong, chairman of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, adding that it's more than just a performance.

"It's a powerful showcase of China's rich heritage, featuring elements of intangible cultural traditions. By weaving together Chinese history, philosophy and art, it offers American audiences a window into the Chinese worldview," Jing says, adding that such performances serve as a bridge, building a deeper understanding and appreciation of modern China while strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.

Reporter: Mingmei Li