The Legend of Lanling Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts
Hong Kong Dance Company Proudly Presents
The Legend of Lanling
Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts
A brave soul unveiled
Lanling, in ancient tale, mighty in skill yet with fragile visage,
In every encounter, a mask adorns courage to the battlefield.
In guise, borrowing divinity from the mask, swift and valiant,
Traversing the battlefield, donned in hues of war and command.
In dance amidst the fray, a query lingers,
Who is the true sovereign, the genuine self-elusive.
In descending twilight’s embrace, flags and drums at rest,
Half a lifetime devoted to martial pursuits, success, unaccomplished till the last.
In Lanling's martial arts array, a dance mirroring the heart,
Reality, unmasked, reveals its genuine grace.
Masks may be shed, but the true self remains concealed. Twenty dancers, trained in martial arts, Nangun, and drumming, transcend convention and seamlessly merge dance with martial arts.
Existence is a battlefield where life is perceived as a dance, focused, serene, fearless, and unburdened by regret, akin to stepping into the fray.
The Artistic Director of Hong Kong Dance Company, Yang Yuntao's new choreography the new Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts for 2024, titled The Legend of Lanling, drawing inspiration from the brave and skilled Northern Qi general, Warrior Lanling, a.k.a. Gao Changgong . Warrior Lanling was known for his gentle appearance yet strong heart, with beauty in both his appearance and voice. He would don armor and a mask before entering battles, where he was undefeated. Despite his achievements, he ultimately died from poisoned wine. Yang collaborated once again with the award-winning creative team, including set designer Jan Wong, costume designer Mandy Tam, lighting designer Yeung Tsz-yan, and sound designer Anthony Yeung. The lead roles, as well as assistant choreographers, will be taken up by recently promoted principal dancers Ho Ho-fei and Ong Tze Shen. This grand dance drama The Legend of Lanling combines dance and martial arts to portray the image of Warrior Lanling entering the battlefield.
Since 2018, the Company has conducted in-depth research about the fusion of Chinese dance and martial arts, collaborating closely with martial arts consultant Mr Hing Chao and the Institute of Chinese Martial Studies. To enhance the depth and quality of the performances, in addition to weekly martial arts training sessions, the dancers began taking classes in Nangun and drumming as early as September last year.
"I've actually wanted to create this piece for a very long time, probably about ten years ago when I became interested in this character (Warrior Lanling) and this story, so I feel that the timing now couldn't have been better, " said Yang, director and choreographer of The Legend of Lanling. "Entering the battlefield means entering a state. I think the most tense, attractive, and concentrated state is the state of war. I was also inspired by the music in the Song of "Warrior Lanling" (《蘭陵王入陣曲》), which describes the soldiers entering a state of war, where their bodies and states are elevated to a certain extent. It's extremely captivating to me."
Continuing their collaboration from the opening program of the 23/24 dance season, A Dance of Celestial Rhythms, Aēsop will once again sponsor the Company's large-scale performance with scent experiences, elevating the upcoming debut of the Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts The Legend of Lanling. The program will be staged at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theater from 12-14 April 2024 with four performances, and a special "Allies Package" offers discount up to 18% off.
Programme Plus
Programme Plus of Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts The Legend of Lanling
Date & Time
12 April 2024 (Fri), After the evening performance session
Venue
Kwai Tsing Theatre
Date & Time
13 April 2024 (Sat), After the matinee performance session
Venue
Kwai Tsing Theatre
Date & Time
13 April 2024 (Sat), Before the evening performance session
Venue
Kwai Tsing Theatre
Venue
Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Session
12-13.4.2024 (Fri - Sat) 7:45pm
13^-14.4.2024 (Sat - Sun) 3:00pm
Price
$380, $260, $180
Discount Scheme
● “Allies Package” Enjoy up to 18% discount (Only available at URBTIX)
● 50% discount is available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minders, and CSSA recipients.
● Friends of Hong Kong Dance Company Classic Membership can enjoy 10% off, and Prestige Membership can enjoy 20% off.
● For details of other discounts, please refer to URBTIX
Ticketing
Tickets Now available at URBTIX and Damai
Duration
Programme duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes with an intermission
Age Limit
Suitable for ages 6 or above
Programme Enquiries
3103 1888 / www.hkdance.com
Director and Choreographer
Yang Yuntao
Main Cast and Assistant Choreographers
Ho Ho-fei and Ong Tze Shen
Artistic Coordinator
Carolyn Yip
Martial Arts Advisor
Hing Chao
Script
Simon Wang Haoran
Composer
Lawrence Lau
Set Designer
Jan Wong
Costume Designer
Mandy Tam
Lighting Designer
Yeung Tsz-yan
Sound Designer
Anthony Yeung
Martial Arts Partner
Institute of Chinese Martial Studies
Fragrance Sponsor
Aēsop
Accessibility Partner
Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong
Media Materials
For using all images and videos, please credit at caption:
Grand Dance Drama: Chinese Dance ╳ Martial Arts The Legend of Lanling, 2024. Courtesy of Hong Kong Dance Company.