Tang Flower Fairy” – A Grand Classical Dance Drama
The highly anticipated grand dance drama “Tang Flower Fairy”, performed by the Sydney Chinese Dance Troupe, made its debut on June 1, 2013, at the Parramatta Riverside Theater after more than six months of intense and dedicated rehearsals by the entire production team and cast. The production was staged again on July 6 at the Bankstown Sports Club and concluded with a farewell performance on August 24 at the Parramatta Leagues Club.
The dance drama “Tang Flower Fairy” is adapted from the 52-chapter classical mythological novel of the same name by Chinese-Australian writer and poet Luo Shan. In 2012, the Sydney Chinese Dance Troupe transformed it into a six-act grand mythological dance drama. The story is set during the glorious Tang Dynasty and follows a group of beautiful flower fairies who descend from the heavens to battle cunning and malevolent demons that plague the people. Through wit and bravery, they ultimately triumph over evil, restoring peace and happiness to the world. The creative team aimed for innovation, blending traditional Chinese classical music with modern influences. The choreography incorporates elements of traditional Chinese folk dance, classical dance (including silk dance, fan dance, and sword dance), contemporary dance, ballet, and modern dance. Additionally, elements of yoga, Chinese Tai Chi, martial arts, and even the renowned face-changing technique from Sichuan opera have been integrated, offering a diverse artistic experience. Beyond the captivating choreography, the heartfelt love story, the mysterious mythological atmosphere, the exquisite stage design, and the dazzling costumes promise audiences a visually stunning and emotionally uplifting experience.
“Tang Flower Fairy” is the first-ever dance drama adaptation of an original literary work created by overseas Chinese, deeply rooted in Chinese cultural heritage. Troupe leader Yuan Jing expressed that the NSW CRC Multicultural Department has provided tremendous support to the Chinese community. They hope that Sydney’s Chinese artists can bring their own creative works to life through dance, showcasing their cultural identity and allowing more people to understand, appreciate, and embrace Eastern civilization. This effort also aims to enhance the overall image of the Chinese community in Australia and contribute to the exchange of cultural and artistic traditions among different ethnic groups. This dance drama represents a bold and innovative attempt to preserve and promote traditional Chinese dance while integrating elements of Western modern art. It is a significant and meaningful event for the Australian Chinese community, marking an important step in fostering cultural appreciation and artistic collaboration.
The Sydney Chinese Dance Group boasts a strong and diverse cast, comprising not only youthful and vibrant performers in their twenties but also middle-aged professionals from various industries. Many of them have received higher education, with several holding master’s and doctoral degrees. Notably, the group has invited renowned martial arts coaches Zhang Xiongwei and Zheng Shuai, as well as masters of the traditional face-changing art, to participate in the performance. Their martial arts skills and stunning stage effects add exciting highlights to the production, making it a performance well worth anticipating!
Dance Drama Show – Flower Goddess of Tang Dynasty Clip Appreciation
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Synopsis
The dance drama Flower Goddesses of Tang Dynasty is a six-act drama performed by Sydney Chinese Dance Group with elaborate productions and intense rehearsals. The dance drama is based on the 52-chapter novel composed by the Australian Chinese writer Shan Luo, derived from the traditional myths and legends of China. The story which is based on myths and legends of the Tang Dynasty presents the long history, splendid culture and superb artistic expression of China, conveying people’s hope and pursuit of the true, the good, the beautiful and the better life.
The dance drama takes place in the Tang Dynasty; it presents to the audience a beautiful dream-like wonderland. Ten Flower Goddesses acquire human spirits after a millennium of cultivation on the Flower Island of Bai Hua Zhou through holy water and training. The gorgeous Flower Goddesses are thoroughly accomplished in lyre-playing, chess, calligraphy and painting. They are not only good at martial arts, but also have magic powers.
The emperor Tai Zong of the Tang Dynasty comes across the Flower Goddesses on the Flower Island in his dream. The Flower Goddesses then pay the emperor a return visit. Later, the Flower Goddesses help the emperor fight against the invaders from the north, the pirates from the east, the Yelang Kingdom from the west and the Stone Kingdom from the south. They protect the weak, heal the wounded, rescue the dying and annihilate the demons, revealing the glory of human nature and maternal brilliance.
The ten Flower Goddesses inherit many of the noble qualities, styles and features of Chinese women along with the spirit and characteristics of ancient Chinese heroes. Not only do they have the wisdom and beauty of the goddess, but they also have the ordinary human emotions of love and hate. There is much philosophy in the dialogues between the Flower Goddesses and famous poet Li Bai, painter Wu Daozi, and tea expert Lu Yu from the Tang Dynasty. The love scenes are beautiful and touching, and the war and martial arts scenes are breath-taking and heart-stirring.
The dance drama provides the audience infinite room for imagination, inspiration and hope. In the end, the emperor and his people look out at the Flower Island to thank the beautiful Flower Goddesses for their help in rescuing a girl from the village and annihilating the demons. The Dynasty has a great harvest and enjoys peace, while the people sing and dance to extol the good times of the Tang Dynasty.
6 Acts
Act 1: The secluded valley on the Flower Island
Ten Flower Goddesses acquire superb martial art techniques and magic powers after a millennium of cultivation on the Flower Island of Bai Hua Zhou through holy water and training. The breath-takingly gorgeous Flower Goddesses elegantly float down from the sky. The emperor Tai Zong of the Tang Dynasty comes across the Flower Goddesses on the Flower Island in his dreams.
Act 2: Demons scourge the world
Black clouds form over the sky and evil winds blow. Demons stir scourge in the human world. The young girl and her lover, the soldier, come to meet and express their love to each other. The demon lusts for the beauty of the girl and kidnaps the girl after the soldier leaves.
Act 3: The emperor placates people with dancing in the palace
In the splendid palace, maids are dancing with elegant and classical music that makes the emperor and concubines revel in the beautiful scenery. At this point, it is noisy outside the palace as the guards come to report that civilians have come to complain and seek asylum; the young girl was snatched away and cannot be found anymore, and the demons will come to bring disaster on humans. The emperor Tai Zong leaves the palace to set an altar for the people who are amidst disaster to placate them.
Act 4: Bow down to the Heavens and pray for God’s blessing
All people bow down to the altar and the witch prays to the Heavens for the happiness of the townspeople. The demons arrive as quickly as a flash and the poor young girl is trapped on the cliff, waiting to be rescued by her lover. Meanwhile, the soldier is looking for the girl everywhere. Two Flower Goddesses follow the queen of Flower Goddesses – Peony – dispersing the miasmal mist and witnessing the destruction of the catastrophe in the human world, so they enter into a discussion of how to save the humans from the demons.
Act 5: Capturing the demons with the Flower Net
In order to defeat and capture the demons, the gorgeous Flower Goddesses make a Flower Net. Peony, the queen of the Flower Goddesses, comes back to the Island and calls the Flower Goddesses to help the people defeat the demons and save the young girl. In the battle against the demons, the Flower Goddesses capture the demons with their Flower Net.
Act 6: The good times are extolled with singing and dancing as happiness is restored to the village
People are filled with the joy of victory and they rush about telling each other the news and thank the Flower Goddesses for bringing the world back to peace and prosperity. The emperor Tai Zong leads his concubines and the palace generals to dance with the Flower Goddesses to celebrate.
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