More than 130 artists from Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been thrilling the capital's audience with a spectacular show called Ba Gui Da Ge (Guangxi Ethnic Folk Songs and Dance) at Guo'an Theater.

Directed by well-known choreographer Zhang Jigang, the 120-minute stage event, which has been running on two universal and timeless themes -- work and love. Musical features include more than 40 folk songs of the Yao, Zhuang, Miao, Dong and Jing ethnic groups.

"All the songs and dances of the show come from several ethnic communities to be found in the region. The performers praise their life with their own songs. We professionals just help to arrange the show," says Zhang.

The folk songs and dances, instruments and costumes together unfold a picture of ethnic people's life, tell ethnic people's view of life, love and nature.

The "work" part displays the scenes of farming, fishing, hunting, carrying water, sailing and celebration for harvests. The "love" part vividly interprets youngsters' romance, girls longing for love, wedding customs and even the quarrel between couples.

Since its premiere in April 2003 in Liuzhou, the show has toured 10 cities and given 85 performances.

Before the Beijing debut on Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Finance announced the Top 10 Shows of 2003/04 Performance of Fine Quality Project. Ba Gui Da Ge was among them.

The other nine are ballet Raise the Red Lantern and Great Dream of Dunhuang, spoken drama Father, Tiger Crouching over Zhongshan Mountain and A Myriad Lights, local opera Scholar Dong and Madame Li, Peking Opera Quack Doctor Zhang, Chuanju Opera Face Changing and the children's play One, Two, Three, Go.

The Performance of Fine Quality Project is an annual project jointly launched by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Finance to promote theatrical art as well as improve the quality of productions.

About 80 shows applied for 2003/04 project and 30 passed the first round. The Ministry of Finance invested 15 million yuan (US$ 1.8 million) for these 30 for improvements and finally selected the Top 10 in December 2004.

The result comes from a jury composed of artists, critics, theatre managers and officials from the two ministries, and from box-office receipts. The professionals' views and audience responses are used to arrive at the final decision.

According to Chen Ying, an official from the Arts Department of Ministry of Culture, the applicants are required to have contemporary relevance, a combination of traditional art and innovative ideas, reflect the top level of its genre and be loved by the majority audience.

The 10 shows are scheduled to tour Beijing in April, Chengdu in May and Guangzhou in September.

(China Daily January 14, 2005)