The Red Dress, performed by China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group in their first foray out of China, is a visual feast as the principals and the chorus of graceful, lyrical dancers present a flowing visual panorama in this tale of love found, love lost, and guess what? Surprisingly, the physical techniques performed are mostly ballet and modern-dance based, and the leading man, Zeng Ming reminds me of Baryshnikov with his great leaps and twirls. It’s quite charming as the synchronized movements, the stage patterns, directed by Wang Xiaoying and choreographed by Yin Mei, with exciting adagios, unfold. Lighting, area and full, by Xing Xin is super.
Composer Lan Tian gives us a sound mixture that includes (mostly) full orchestra, drumming in a universal rhythm, and just a tad of the classical Chinese yowling and chittering that I expected. The colorful costumes by Dai Yannian are both lovely and practical.
As the two hours unfold, the ongoing story isn’t always clear, but the spectacle, the fluidity, grace and emotion catch us. The Red Dress has a lively pace, and it is fun to enjoy this rare treat.
