On March 16, the dance drama "Absolute Test" created by the Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe made its debut at the Chongqing Grand Theater. It is also a work, following "Du Fu" by the Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe that has received support from the China National Arts Fund (CNAF).
"Absolute Test" tells the heroic deeds of a female CPC member, Zhang Luping, who was engaged in underground operations. The diverse performance combines various forms such as modern dance, folk dance, hip-hop, and ballroom and has attracted interest and attention from all walks of life. It was included in the list of projects funded by CNAF in 2022, and the session "Hot Pot Sonata" won plaudits at China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Tiger.
Stage photo of "Absolute Test." (Photo/ Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe)
A martyr's dance of psyche
The dancer's superb acting skills were highlighted by modern stage technology and greatly contributed to the shaping of "Ping." The play was filled with fascinating stories and presented how she bid farewell to her husband, concealed her identity and fought alone.
It is worth mentioning that there were several group dances to add vividness to the image of "Ping." For example, "Ping" and her comrades did the Yangko dance wearing red belts to the roaring sounds of gongs and drums in the Yan'an period, which depicted the bustling life in the border area. To present the scenes of life in Chongqing, local youths were dressed in red and held long chopsticks, reflecting the city's unique cultural features.
"The 'Hot Pot Sonata' performed by the Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe greatly impressed me at the Spring Festival Gala. Then I heard that it was from 'Absolute Test,' so I had greater expectations for the play." He Shiyu, a resident of Chongqing, said that the dances in "Absolute Test" were more down to earth than "Hot Pot Sonata," which provided her with deeper insights into the heroic deeds of Zhang Luping.
The "Hot Pot Sonata" session has landed on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala for the Year of the Tiger. (Photo/ Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe)
A vivid picture of life in the mountain city
The elements of Chongqing pervasive in "Absolute Test" were familiar to the audience, including the high-pitched singing performance of Sichuan Opera, the hot pot-themed dance, the crowded Chaotianmen Dock, and the old teahouse shrouded in water vapor. The scenes with the unique style of Bayu and the unique cultural symbols illustrated the life in the old Chongqing and added vividness to the dance drama to situate the audience in the Chongqing of the last century.
Besides, the unique topography of Chongqing was brought onto the stage. The houses in Chongqing appeared in a well-arranged way in the play with the use of six ice screens. The stage installation to convey a sense of "walking in the air" and stairs of different heights and shapes were also employed to reach the effect.
Stage photo of "Absolute Test." (Photo/ Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe)
Almost the entire play was shown in the "air". The dancers danced on the 4-meter-high stairs and walked on the 9-meter-high platform. The three-dimensional stage installation enriched the space and represented the unique landscapes of the mountain city.
Upon seeing the familiar elements of Chongqing, Ms. Zhang said excitedly, "I saw the steep terrain, Chaotianmen, Guanyinqiao, Zengjiayan, and other landmarks. I felt the distance between myself and the play drawn closer as if the characters led me into the streets and alleys of old Chongqing."
Modern elements added to the dance drama
"Absolute Test" revolves around the revolutionary history of China. It integrates Chinese and Western styles, features modern expression, profound thinking, and a nice viewing experience, and incorporates modern, folk, ballroom, hip-hop, and other dance types. The plot is compact, and the most extended dance session does not exceed 5 minutes. The fast progress of the story and montages cater to the taste of the contemporary audience.
Stage photo of "Absolute Test." (Photo/ Chongqing Song and Dance Troupe)
"Chongqing is a young municipality directly under the central government, and the artwork should present its characteristics and vitality and sense of fashion," said the director Ding Wei. That is why more modern elements are added to "Absolute Test". "When we were creating the dance drama, we had been thinking about how to attract more audiences with such a motif. Methodologically, I believe that we should resort to the creative concepts, artistic vocabulary, and performance styles in line with contemporary aesthetics to make the dance drama profound and fabulous."