The famous historic battle of Red Cliff is a lopsided triumph of the weak, but intelligent, minority over the mighty, but arrogant, majority during the Three Kingdoms period. Artists are now providing a fresh take on the historic story.
Closing the Sixth Beijing International Dance Season, a new production of "Red Cliff" is a dazzling blockbuster rarely found on the Peking Opera stage.
The traditional setting of the opera is just one table and two chairs. This time, the simple setting was replaced with a giant ship, which collapsed during the show's climax.
Despite considerable sequences examining the central characters, "Red Cliff" is also a flamboyant production, with dazzling lighting, sophisticated props, elaborate costumes and a stage design ready to rival the "Red Cliff" movie on the big screen.
Gao Guangjin, the choreographer of the "Red Cliff" said, "The giant ship was burned during the defeat of Cao Cao's army. The scene will grip the audience tightly."
The stage is designed to accentuate the characters of the warlord Cao Cao, intellectuals Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu.
One hundred and eighty costumes are worn during the three-hour show. One costume is a reproduction of a vintage shirt appearing in the early "Red Cliff" productions.
Traditional operas being packaged anew have enjoyed renewed popularity, such as the youth edition of the "Peony Pavilion" and Sichuan Opera "Jin Zi".
(CCTV February 4, 2009)
