Ballet Review: The Guangzhou Ballet Show Dance Is A Universal Language

Dance is the bodies’ physicalization of the human spirit. Suddenly, love comes in a pirouette or depression lands in a plie. Journeying from China to the David H. Koch theater, The Guanghzhou Ballet performed Carmina Burana and Goddess of The Luo River. Directed by Zou Gang and choreographed by Jiang Qi, they relied on their bodies to tell myths. 

Frankly, I love an elaborate set, especially for a ballet or opera. This desire was, initially and especially, felt during Goddess of The Luo River. The backsplash was a green forest designed by Han Fiang. The stunning backdrop felt minimal enough to let Yi Ren (Fang Lang), Lian Jun (Zhang Yang), and Ruo Shui (Ma Minghao) take on the romanticism of this story. They  living embodiments of the river. They floated on the stage like pebbles, leaves, and, ultimately, water coursing to prove a human being can be godly. With the crowd filled with proud Asian Americans, it was beautiful to have a show that was solely about the beauty of dance from people of color. Yet, Carmina Burana was me favored story. 

Natural Melody by Guangzhou Ballet

In three acts that transitioned in seasons and mythos, the entire Guanghzhou Ballet company dominated the stage and felt like a living fairytale. Again, I would have liked a more elaborate set. Yet, Carmina Burana is an elaboration of humanity in and of itself. It is the story of love within two couples. Zhou Yu as Helena, Ku Zuquan as Bolanzifaluo, Huang Ping as Kety, and Zhang Weiwei as Crace. In the beginning, they fall madly in love, but then stray with one half of each pairing falling for the other. As both try to reconcile with their prospective partners, a dastardly winter enters, and one love is forever lost. From rebirth to redemption, everything was felt in their dance, and the costuming of Cheng Hua was simple and gorgeous.

The Guangzhou Ballet gave a show that proved dance, alone, is impressive. When you think of the hours of dedication and pure stamina it takes to leap through the air as if it were bounds beneath your feet, it was hard not to admire The Guangzhou Ballet. They traveled across the earth to show ballet/ dance is also a universal language.