"Rice,” the human drama of environmental devastation and resurrection told through the life cycle of the humble crop plant, will rustle Macau audiences when Cloud Gate Dance Theatre brings its latest production to Centro Cultural de Macau on April 15.
"Rice” was created in celebration of Cloud Gate's 40th anniversary in 2013. Choreographed by founder Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), the piece takes inspiration from Chihshang (池上), a rural township famous for rice production in eastern Taiwan. Lin asked his dancers to participate in the rice harvest and brought the experience on stage.
Combining Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and contemporary dance, the production opens with dancers weaving against a projected video footage of rice fields. Through the dynamic movement of its dancers, "Rice” presents the full scope of humanity, nature, and rebirth. It is Lin's tribute to the universal cycle of life and death.
The April 15 performance will be accompanied by dance workshops on April 11 and 12. Cloud Gate dancers will share their Tai Chi-inspired training that draws poise from "inner peace” and explosive energy from "movement.” The 180-minute workshops will be offered in both Mandarin Chinese and English.
On the eve of the 70-minute performance, a pre-show forum will not only provide critical analysis of "Rice” but take audience members on a backstage tour to peek behind the scenes of Asia's leading contemporary dance theater.
"A sharply moving synthesis of man and nature, east and west, death and rebirth...Lin Hwai-min's own song of the earth.” — The Guardian
‘Rice' @ Macau
- Date: April 15, 2017
- Time: 8pm
- Venue: Centro Cultural de Macau
- Address: Avenida Xian Xing Hai s/n, Nape-Macau
- Site: www.ccm.gov.mo
- Workshops: April 11 - 12
- Forum/Backstage Tour: 7pm @ April 15
More information on Cloud Gate and Lin Hwai-min can be found at the Cultural Features section.