The National Ballet of China

Raise the Red Lantern

Friday 1 & Saturday 2 August 2008

In 1991, Raise the Red Lantern, a film by celebrated director Zhang Yimou, stunned the cinematic world with its astonishing depiction of a feudal world in which a young woman is forced against her will to become the concubine of an old lord.

Together with choreographer Wang Xinpeng, Zhang subsequently translated this tragic story into a dazzling ballet, created especially for The National Ballet of China.

Emotionally charged scenes of love, jealousy, intrigue and loyalty are realised through stunning choreography, sumptuous sets, glorious period costumes and a lush, exciting musical score to create a uniquely Chinese style of ballet theatre, remarkable for its breathtaking blend of Chinese theatrical forms with traditional ballet.

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