Best bets

Kharkiv National Opera and Ballet Theater Swan Lake & La Bayadere

Date: Sept 20-23 — 7:30 pm

Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts

Tchaikovsky's four-act ballet Swan Lake is recognized as the most famed ballet, which premiered in 1877. As Tchaikovsky's best-known masterpiece, Swan Lake is the first ballet to be performed with two people dancing together. Today, Swan Lake remains a model for dancers and a paragon of realist ballets. La Bayadere is a classic work created when classical ballet was at its heyday, a period earlier than the composition of Swan Lake and it was based on this work that many classics were produced. The music in La Bayadere sets a precedent for ballets based on its symphonic structure, which is also considered the hardest-to-perform ballet in the circle, that reflects a ballet ensemble's comprehensive strength. Well-designed are both the solo and group dances, of which the "Specter Kingdom" is a rare pas. Kharkiv National Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the oldest musical theaters in former USSR and Ukraine. Performance have been staged in Kharkiv for more than 200 years. 

Zhao Liang Dance Studio: Martial Art in Dance

Date: Sept 17-18 — 7:30 pm

Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts

Zhao Liang says "martial arts" and "dance" in Chinese are phonetically similar, with distinct presentations but the same root. They both follow the law of the universe and are also deeply connected with the human body and spirituality. With the theme of "intoxication, exaltation and simplification," Zhao chose a simple stage setting of only black, gray and white for the work. Crossover music with elements such as minimalism, cello and Chinese pipa (Chinese lute) is used to portray the clash between contemporary and traditional features. Zhao Liang is highly open to new inspirations and ideas and then weave them into his well-designed storyline. Besides, he has attracted a team of outstanding artists. Through literary allusions, seamless emotional connection and flowing performances, he blends fragments of classical stories into a multisensory cultural innovation. Surreal as they are, the dance shows contain layers of meanings and use metaphors to present universal truths. As a result, they resonate with the essence of our being, leading to spiritual insights beyond perception.

Chicago the Musical

Date: Nov 1 — 7:30 pm

Venue: Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn. Created by the musical theater talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago's sexy, sassy score includes "All That Jazz" and "Razzle Dazzle". It won six Tony, two Olivier, one Grammy, two Bafta and six Academy Awards. A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin: it would be a crime to miss it.