The Qingdao Song and Dance Theatre will perform a dance drama entitled "Red Sorghum" in June.
 
     "Red Sorghum" is one of the programmes in "Genesis and Spirit - A Showcase of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Shandong" presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Home Affairs Bureau, as well as organised by the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The performances will be staged at 8pm on June 7 and 8 (Friday and Saturday) at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall.
 
     Adapted from the novel of same title by Mo Yan, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature, "Red Sorghum" tells the story of life forces through the varied use of body language to externalise nuanced emotions, covering the tenacious pursuit of love and freedom in life by people living in a highland region where sorghum grows.
 
     The story takes place in Gaomi, Shandong Province, during China's Republican period in the early 20th century. Jiu'er is forced by her parents to marry an old leper who owns a winery. When she is on the way, a bandit stops her sedan chair. One of the sedan carriers fights with the bandit and finally drives him away. Jiu'er and the sedan carrier fall in love and later they have a child. When the old leper dies, he has no heir to take over the winery, and Jiu'er becomes the new owner. Later, the Japanese army invades China and Jiu'er's friend is brutally killed. Determined to avenge her friend's death, she asks the winery workers to help bury mines and make bombs, and a fight begins.
 
     Established in 1960, the Qingdao Song and Dance Theatre handles the entire process of staging a production, i.e. from concept development, choreography and scriptwriting to performance. The group has taken on an active role in the organisation, co-ordination and logistics of many of Qingdao's gala events. It has toured Germany, Korea, Japan, Russia, Australia and Singapore, conducting cultural exchange and promoting Chinese traditional culture.
 
     Tickets for "Red Sorghum" priced at $150, $220 and $300 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/tc/dance/programs_791.html.

Ends/Friday, April 26, 2019
Issued at HKT 11:40

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