"Yingfeng Miaozi"

One of the boldest and most visually dramatic dance shows ever performed in Beijing will be staged this week.

After a year of preparation for the cast and crew, Yingfeng Miaozi, (or Heroic Wind, Fine Pose), by China National Song and Dance Ensemble, will open at the Beizhan Theater on February 2.

"It will be a bold overthrow of traditional Chinese dance," said Tian Junli, president of the ensemble, at a press conference last week. The dance for the first time combines Chinese marital arts, opera, magic and acrobatics, with dancing a combination that is sure to surprise the audience, said Tian.

A number of experts in their field have participated in the production of the dance, including Chen Weiya, vice director of the opening ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympics, who has taken charge of the art supervision of the drama, top singers Liu Weiwei and Tang Can, who sing the theme song, and musicians Zhao Shijun and Gao Erdi, who supervise and produce music for the dance.

The ensemble has even invited three groups of masters to teach dancing skills. Since November, martial arts coaches from the Beijing Sports Bureau have taught dancers kungfu, Tachi boxing and zuiquan, a kind of boxing that imitates the moves of a drunk, while acrobats from the Chendu Battle Flag Troupe taught dancers how to perform while hanging on steel wire. Magician Qu Lei also got busy teaching dancers her sleight of hand.

The stage setting is already underway in Beizhan Theater. According to choreogarpher L Hong, the dance has involved the most advanced lighting in China. "There is no traditional light at all in this dance. To create the magic atmosphere onstage, 300 120V computer lights will be used," said Lu.

Time: 7:30pm, February 2-16
Location: Beizhan Theater, Xizhimenwai
Tel: 010-51664511