Tribute to porcelain dances onto stage

The dance drama Blue and White: Impression of China , produced and performed by artists of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, was performed from Aug 16 to 18 at Beijing's Poly Theatre.

Inspired by the qingbai (Song Dynasty, 960–1279) blue-and-white porcelain, renowned for its delicate beauty and distinguished by its translucent glaze and intricate designs, is showcased in a production that blends classical Chinese dance with contemporary movements. The performance tells the story of a young man from the Song Dynasty who journeys from northern to southern China to master the art of crafting… qingbai porcelain.

The dance drama pays tribute to the porcelain-making craftsmanship and shows reverence for tradition.

The creative team, including director-choreographer Yi Jie and composer Lyu Liang, made several trips to Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province where the qingbai Porcelain has been widely produced. Amid the bustling workshops and ancient kilns, the artists delved into the techniques and traditions by visiting museums and speaking to artisans.

Following the Beijing stop, the dance drama will make tour stops in cities such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Xi'an in Shaanxi province.

Scenes from the dance drama Blue and White: Impression of China . [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Scenes from the dance drama Blue and White: Impression of China . [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Scenes from the dance drama Blue and White: Impression of China . [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]