London Chinese Cultural Centre

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE DOG 2006

The Chinese Cultural Centre will present an unmissable culture programme in venues across London and beyond.

Details are as follows:

Chinese New Year Celebration Variety Show 2006 performed by guest artists from the following overseas and local art groups:

• -Hunan life-sized puppets from Hunan Puppet Troupe.
• -Acrobat from the Hunan Flying Swallow Art Group.
• -Wusheng (male martial art role) from Hunan Kunju Opera Troupe.
• -London Chinese Dance & Mime Theatre Company Folk Song singer & London Chinese Ensemble Rosewood.

The Annual Chinese New Year celebration offers a brand new 90 mins repertoires:

• -Two First State Grade Life-size Puppeteers to perform an excerpt from ‘Butterfly Lovers’ also  puppet ‘Lion Dance’;
• -new  song and dance performance with guest solo dancer and singer depicting the unique rhythms,
• -movements and gaiety moods of the  Miao people; 
• -Members of the Kunju Opera Troup demonstrate breathtaking acrobatic technique and comical acts rarely seen in the west as well as popular folk songs supported by the London Chinese Ensemble.

(Life-sized Puppet has its origins as a folk art, with a history of more than 300 years. It is considered a rare gem in theatrical art of the world. It is recognized for its lifelike design, meticulous workmanship and vividness in form. With animated facial features, they are capable of giving lifelike expressions and movements, such as putting on clothe, smoking, drinking tea, wielding weapons etc. They are particularly suited for performing stories of a mythical or legendary nature, fairy tales, stunts etc.)  

The approximate 90 mins. show at various venues will consist of a different selection of the following items.

• -The Butterfly Lovers: dance performance by actors and puppets depicting the tragic story of two lovers’ transformation into butterflies.
• -Wishing you a Prosperous New Year: a humorous piece performed by the puppet God of Fortune and actor with unique operatic skill.
• -The Ineffectual Magistrate: on comical act depicting the clumsy and comical characteristic of a lower rank official.
• -Puppet lion dance: a short display of Southern Lion Dance.

Acrobatic Acts:

• -Foot dexterity:  using the acrobat’s feet and two limbs, the acrobat adroitly spins with four x 4 legged wooden tables and other objects.
• -Martial, somersault and stunning back-flipping acrobatic acts around and over a waving large flag.

Theatrical Comical acts:

• -Stealing from the Emperor's Tomb:  an excerpt from a famous opera depicting 2 actors performing the robbery with operatic stage techniques.
• -Picking the Blossom: the scene depicting an admirer’s desire to offer flower to his newly met lover. The actors performing the act with special operatic stage technique.
• -Drunken monks in a temple.

Folk song and dances:

• -Song and Dance : Dance of the Miao People (new production): depicting the unique rhythms, movements and gaiety moods of the  Miao people.
• -Solo & duet Tibetan, Dai, Mongolian dances in colour costumes; waist drum and ribbon dance.
• -Folk Songs: a selection of popular folk songs
• -Chinese music : London Chinese Orchstra (yangqing, erhu, harp, guzheng and western flute)