More room for amateurs this year
Seventy Tibetan farmers are ready to wow audiences across the nation with their traditional country tap dance, to the accompaniment of local six-stringed musical instrument, at the upcoming CCTV New Year's Eve gala.
They were not the only amateur troupe in action at the gala's first formal rehearsal on Monday. Sharing the stage were dozens of primary school children from rural emigrant families in Beijing and college students from Northeast China.
Thanks to a move to involve more ordinary people in the gala, this year's show will feature more amateurs alongside celebrity performers.
The much-loved comic duo of Zhao Benshan (right) and Song Dandan feature an old couple in last year's CCTV New Year Eve gala. They are expected to wow the audience again at this year's gala show. File photo |
Another program that excited interest is an acrobatic show with female performers wearing Peking Opera facial makeup and playing the traditional diabolo.
But as usual, anticipation runs high over the crosstalk and comic short plays. The final list of programs and performers has generated widespread rumors and hot topics on media and among audiences.
The comic section will account for nearly half of the program at the five-hour's gala this year.
The much-loved comic duo of Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan was missing from Monday's rehearsal, triggering rumors of what they have up their sleeve this time.
The performers will go through another five rehearsals before February 17. The show is expected to run under five hours this year.
The CCTV New Year's Eve gala first hit the TV screen in 1983. Entertainment has long been a must on Spring Festival eve for most Chinese families.
Although in recent years, the show has come in for sharp criticism and even calls for its cancellation, many people feel it is as important as a serving of Chinese dumplings worthy of appreciation and sharing with relatives.
(China Daily 02/08/2007 page18)
