A nymph alights on the stage

Works of literature have often been the inspiration for theater. And the period of the Three Kingdoms (AD 220-280) is considered the golden age of classic Chinese literature.

Shui Yue Luo Shen, the latest dance-drama by the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Troupe, is an adaptation of Ode to the Nymph of The River Luo (Luo Shen) written by the poet Cao Zhi of the Three Kingdoms period, and is choreographed and directed by Tong Ruiru.

Luo Shen in Cao's poem is a goddess of peerless beauty, "elegant as a startled swan and supple as a swimming dragon". She is believed to be the daughter of Emperor Fuxi of pre-historic legends, who becomes a nymph after drowning in the Luo River.

The dance-drama tells the love story of the poet and the woman, whose surname was Zhen, who later married Cao's older brother Cao Pi. The dance opens with Cao Zhi's encounter with Zhen in his dream, only to be awakened by drum sounds, signaling the approaching war.

Cao Pi inherits the powerful warlord Cao Cao's kingdom after his death, but feels threatened by Cao Zhi, and fears the loss of his crown and his woman. Jealousy drives him to put Cao Zhi to an impossible literary test. He has to describe their relationship without using the word "brother". It's just an excuse to kill Cao Zhi.

Realizing his brother's intention, Cao Zhi writes his famous line, "Originally from the same root, why so eager to torture each other", that is quoted to this day.

In the dance-drama, the director switches scenes between dream and reality, using traditional Chinese dance to express the poet's love for Zhen and his sorrow over the enmity between brothers.

Tong says the dance-drama integrates all the art forms of the Three Kingdoms period - music, dance, and poetry.

Scriptwriter Feng Shuangbai says: "Everyone has a Luo Shen image in his or her heart, and that is the connecting point between the drama and the audience."

The dancers Tang Shiyi (Zhen), Wang Zihan (Cao Zhi) and Li Hongjun (Cao Pi) give full expression to the rage, passion and quiet devotion of the story on stage.

The cast, led by the director, visited the museums of Henan province to read about the principal characters to give their roles more authenticity.

The music is by young musician Guo Sida, who has also scored the latest TV series of A Dream of Red Mansions, and the costume design is by Ling Maiqing, who worked on the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.

First performed in Henan province on Feb 25, the drama is another of the troupe's original works, after Winds of Shaolin.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/09/2011 page18)