The dance drama "Love and Hate in the Yuanmingyuan Garden," which is to be staged at the Tianqiao Theatre of Beijing by the Beijing Song and Dance Ensemble from December 15 to 19, will be performed by a group of outstanding artists who aim to portray history in a new and uplifting way.

Playwright Zhao Daming, director Chen Weiya, composer Zhao Jiping and set designer Gao Guangjian make up part of the framework of the cast of the dance drama group.

According to the script writer Zhao, the dance drama depicts common people's emotions through a historical event, which is a little similar to the film "Pearl Harbour."

"Using the form of dance drama to portray a historical incident is difficult in terms of narration," said Zhao, "we hope to view history through the eyes of individuals."

Last year a stele was unearthed in the Haidian district of Beijing. In the stele was engraved the history of the artisans' building of the Yuanmingyuan.

When the dance drama is staged in the Tianqiao Theatre, the stele will also be exhibited.

Zhao Daming, who grew up near the Yuanmingyuan, was inspired by the stele and wrote the story. An old stoneman devoted all of his life to the building of Yuanmingyuan, yet he faced death when he broke a stone granted by the emperor. His daughter Jade and his apprentice called Stone were in love. However, in the fire that burnt Yuanmingyuan, everything was destroyed.

"The composition of the music of this work is the most difficult of my career," said Zhao Jiping, a famous composer best known for his film music in "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Farewell, My Concubine." "I hope my music is qualified to match the beauty of Yuanmingyuan, and our work will be passed on as a piece of art work to depict the Yuanmingyuan."

Zhao spent one year composing. He has also adopted some traditional folk music from Beijing.

Chen Weiya has been the co-director of Zhang Yimou's opera work "Turandot" and was also the general director of the opening ceremony of the 21st Universiade.

Chen is going to adopt various artistic meanings in "Love and Hate in the Yuanmingyuan Garden." For example, a film will be used to display scenes of war and fire in Yuanmingyuan.

"With great dances and with great costumes and a great set, we are trying to make every minute of the work enjoyable for the audience," said Chen, "at the same time this dance work will introduce the audience to a group of young dancers."

The hero Stone and heroine Jade will be played by 19-year-old Wang Zihan and 21-year-old Sun Xiaojuan. Altogether 111 dancers with an average age of 18, will take part in the performance.

(China Daily December 10, 2001)