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Concert
Strings attached
Two quartets from the China Philharmonic Orchestra are to hold a concert featuring Bartok's String Quartet No 1, Dvorak's String Quartet in F Major Op 96, American and Mendelssohn's String Octet in E Flat Major, Op 20. 30-220 yuan (US$3.6-26.5) 7:30 pm, Jan 11. Beijing Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities (west of Xidan area). Tel: 8838-4171
Beethoven's best
Led by pianist and conductor Shi Shucheng, the musicians of China Philharmonic Orchestra will feature Beethoven's works including Piano Concerto No 2 in B Flat Major, Op 19 and Symphony No 2 in D Major, Op 36 in its Immortal Beethoven series. 30-300 yuan (US$3.6-36) 7:30 pm, Jan 17. Century Theatre (Liangmaqiao Lu). Tel: 6466-3311 ext 3165
Film Themes
Seeing film highlights accompanied by the theme music performed live by musicians is what's in store at one of the more unusual upcoming attractions. The China National Film Symphony Orchestra claims it is the most authoritative one for the job as it records such music for many of the films. Before the Chinese Spring Festival, they will hold such a concert, playing familiar tunes from films like Pearl Harbour, Sound of Music, Ghost, and Chinese films including Shining Five Stars and Five Golden Flowers. 7:30 pm, Jan 29. Poly Theatre (Dongsi Shitiao). Tel: 8580-3788
Old star
Making his first appearance in China's mainland in 1987, Chinese-American Fei Xiang, or Kris Philips, is set for a return. He has become a pop idol to many since then. A Broadway musical performer who has sung in Miss Saigon and in Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals like Cats, he is to perform old pop songs and musical favourites for a Chinese audience. Many wonder whether he will retain his old appeal after 15 years as so many pop stars from home and abroad have since tapped the huge market. 7:30 pm, Jan 24. Workers' Gymnasium. Tel: 65675930
Drama
Hero
With the same name as Zhang Yimou's latest blockbuster, the drama features an entirely different plot but has a similar theme so as to define the true meaning of a hero. It starts with a Japanese martial arts master who comes to China seeking a competitor to see who is the best. He finds a Chinese hero, who is said to be the best in the country, but who has decided not to compete. But he falls into a drunken gloom after learning that his former fiancee has become wife of the king, his former close friend. Afterwards he faces a dilemma as to resume fighting or not, for the sake of the kingdom and citizens.
The drama is set in a bamboo forest beside a creek in the mountain, where pink plum flower pedals fall poetically, as actors fight out real kung fu scenes. The production uses montage, wire-flying stunts and slow motions as in films. 7:15 pm, until Jan 10. Qiseguang Children's Theatre (A14, Ju'er Hutong, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District). Tel: 8401-6487
After Going Worldly
In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) there is a monk and a Buddhist nun who fall in love and try to escape the temples to return to a worldly life. On the way down the mountain they meet by chance the monk's master and other monks, who are forced to chant scripts in an ancient horse-cart hotel, for the death of the emperor. The monks are shocked to find the two have fallen in love. Contradictory ideas soon fillthe stage.
This is a graduation work by students of the Directing Department of China Central Drama Institute. 30-80 yuan (US$3.6-9.6). 7:15 pm, Jan 3-10. The Experimental Theatre of China Central Drama Institute (Dongmianhua Hutong, Dongcheng District). Tel: 6407-4406, 6404-5648 ext 8041
Crosstalk history
One of China's first crosstalk dramas, Bright Spring Melodies tells the stories of crosstalk performers who live in different times from the late Qing Dynasty to the present day. From generation to generation, crosstalkers saw their status rising from being the most lowbrow performers on the streets. The six-act drama sketches common people's life in a century in China. Sympathetically it takes in many dramatic moments drawing on historical anecdotes from the late Qing Dynasty and continuing on to the anti-Japanese war (1937-1945), liberation in 1949 and the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) on to the open-door policy of today. Created in 1994, the drama is performed by top crosstalk artists led by Jiang Kun. 7:30 pm, Jan 26-28. Poly Theatre. Tel: 6567-5049
Musical
Sunrise
After three years of directing and composing, the drama-turned musical Sunrise was premiered last May in Shanghai. It is now set to make its debut in Beijing. Directed by Wu Yigong, and composed by Jin Fuzai and Dong Weijie, the musical is a singing and dancing version of a story set in Shanghai in the 1930s and 40s, depicting various characters as social butterflies, artists and poverty-ridden citizens, exploring their struggles and hopes in life. 7:30 pm, Jan 3, 4. Poly Theatre . Tel: 6500-1188 ext 5176
Ballet
Coppellia
A comedy-style ballet by the Central Ballet of China will hail this festive season. 80-580 yuan (US$9.60-70). 7:30 pm, Jan 10-11, 2003. Poly Theatre (Dongsishitiao). Tel: 6506-5345, 6500-1188 ext 5126
Raise the Red Lantern
The Central Ballet of China invited film director Zhang Yimou to help direct the ballet inspired by his same-named film. A trial effort by the Chinese ballet troupe, which to many critics looks more like a national-style dance than Western ballet. 180-680 yuan (US$22-82). 7:30 pm, Jan 23-25, 2003. Poly Theatre. Tel: 6506-5345, 6500-1188 ext 5126
From Russia
The Russian State Ballet Theatre will stage four whole ballets including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker. 100-500 yuan (US$12-60).
7:30 pm, Jan 12-19. Poly Theatre (Dongsishitiao). Tel: 6506-5345, 6500-1188 ext 5126
Cinema
Sorry Baby
Staring Ge You, one of China's most popular film comedians, and Fu Biao, another comedian who won overnight success with this film, Sorry Baby is director Feng Xiaogang's 1999 production, about a relationship between a rich businessman and his driver. Tired of not being paid money he is owed,the timid driver starts a bold revenge plan: kidnapping the businessman's girlfriend. Inevitably that leads to more trouble. In Chinese with English subtitles. 8 pm, Jan 3. Cherry Lane Movies, to the east of Century Theatre. Tel: 6430-1398
Exhibition
New Realism
Impressive works representing French New Realism in a striking expression of colours and shapes are being shown at China Millennium Altar.
New Realism is an art genre that first appeared in France along with American Pop Art and Italian Simplicity Art in the 1960s, a time that was clearly characterized by the onrush of machines, industry and advertisements. Various man-made materials, industrial castoffs and other social fashion symbols were widely applied by artists.
Although New Realism saw a quick decline in the 1970s, the artists' individual efforts in the field is carried on as reflected in the exhibition that showcases nearly 60 works by 13 noted contemporary artists in France. 9 am-5 pm until January 17. 9A Fuxing Lu. Tel: 6857-3281 中华世纪坛
Century Style
Art works by 50 noted contemporary Chinese artists who are praised as representing the modern development of Chinese art are on show at China Millennium Altar.
Ancient Chinese art enjoyed a vigorous revival with a diversification of genres over the past century. The process has speeded up over the past two decades with China's booming economy. Traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings and sculptures are all exhibited at the show. 9 am-10 pm until January 10. Tel: 6857-3281 中华世纪坛
Man and landscape
The Greek Embassy is staging a photo exhibition under the theme Man and Nature at Jintai Art Museum.
On show are works shot by Greek snappers between 1930 and 1960, while the ancient country was undergoing a modernization process that is sometimes viewed nowadays for its negative impact on nature. The exhibition focuses on the well-preserved traditions, landscape and people of the country. 9 am-5 pm, January 8-20. 1 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, inside Chaoyang Park. Tel: 6532-1713
Ten Years
Ten Years is the product of Beijing-based artist Zhuang Hui's meticulous editing of a huge body of prints compiled over the last decade of shooting throughout China and abroad. The result is 100 carefully chosen colour images exhibited for the first time at the Courtyard Gallery.
Without giving titles or references to the pictures, Zhuang explains them as "what they are" by simply hanging them together. His artistic focus remains steadfastly on the everyday, banal and commonplace in the people and places he encounters. 10 am-5 pm, January 12-February 28. 95 Donghuamen Dajie. Tel: 6526-8882
Fashionable farmers
Fresh images of the farmers who make up two- thirds of the Chinese population, have been produced by artist Liang Shuo who deals with their identities and roles.
With the development of the Chinese economy, dramatic changes have taken place in various sectors of society, making a great impact on Chinese people's lives.The artist shows how the identities of farmers are often concealed beneath the surface of their daily appearance. 10 am-5 pm until January 26. Dongbianmen Watchtower, Chongwenmen. Tel: 6525-1005
(Beijing Weekend January 7, 2003)
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