How does Shanghai's "swan" conquer Western audiences?, 36 consecutive performances, on-site | Fourth trip to Europe

On the evening of September 16th local time in Amsterdam, audience member Dreyfus and his wife walked into the 136 year old Carrey Royal Theatre and watched the classic version of Swan Lake by the Shanghai Ballet with over 1700 spectators. This is the 17th performance of Shangba's European tour.

Before the performance, the audience waits for entry

The Royal Theatre of Carrey, with a history of 136 years, is located by the canal, with boats passing by and crowds surging. The theater features a special circular structure with eight sparkling crystal chandeliers on top. At the closing ceremony, the chandeliers lit up, and the audience stood up one after another, delivering a continuous wave of applause. Defries, who walked out of the theater, couldn't hide his excitement: "We have seen many versions of 'Swan Lake', and this version is different. When 48 Eastern swans appeared on the smoke filled stage, I held my breath. It was so beautiful!"

Audience stands up and applauds Photography: Wu Tong

Since 2015, the Shanghai Ballet's Swan Lake has been on its fourth European tour. According to the original plan, within 45 days, Shangba will complete 34 performances in Amsterdam, Groningen, Rotterdam, and Helen. Due to the sold out venues, it was difficult to obtain a single ticket, and they also performed in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, selling out again.

Encounter Ba's "Swan Lake" poster on the streets of Amsterdam

Hank van der Meeden, President of Dutch Starry Theatre Limited, said, "Many people have come from Belgium and Germany to Amsterdam to watch the 'Swan Ocean' from the East. I have been in the industry for 50 years and have collaborated with globally renowned dance groups such as the Ballet of the Paris Opera House and the Ballet of the Moscow Grand Theatre. The ballet is truly world-class."

Wu Husheng, Chief Star of Shanghai Ballet, and Hank van der Meeden, President of Dutch Star Theatre Co., Ltd

After three years of separation, Shanghai Dancing Step has returned to the world stage. To the delight of Xin Lili, the head of Shanghai Ballet, the positive market feedback from this tour has given overseas performers a shot in the arm, and a new tour invitation has been sent to Shangba. Xin Lili said, "This is a chemical reaction produced by the collision between Shanghai style ballet and Western classics, demonstrating our confidence and determination to go global."

Shanghai Ballet at the Kare Royal Theatre in Amsterdam

Accurate and impeccable details create a unique "swan" in Shanghai

Swan Lake premiered in Moscow in 1877 and has a history of 150 years. It is the most adapted, performed, and widely spread ballet in the world today. What is unique about the classic version of Swan Lake by Shanghai Ballet? Why did it shock Western audiences?

Director Derek Dean guides actor rehearsals

During the performance in Amsterdam, Derek Dean, the artistic director and director of the classic version of Swan Lake, was also invited by the Shanghai Ballet. He believes that the most innovative aspect of this version is the magnificent upgrade of the regular version of 16 or 24 geese to 48, creating a beautiful, concise, and clearly layered formation that flows and changes on stage, which is unprecedented in other ballet troupes in the world. Therefore, after the birth of the classic version of "Swan Lake" by the Shanghai Ballet, it was highly sought after both domestically and internationally. It went to six countries and performed a total of 210 times, with over a hundred overseas performances.

Shanghai Ballet Classic Version of "Swan Lake" Stills

"The movements of 48 swans are neat and uniform, even the flickering of their eyelashes is the same. This does not mean they are like robots. They are 48 independent people, but they can dance like one person, which is almost impossible in other ballet companies." Dean said, "Of course, besides actors, behind the scenes workers such as stage beauty, lighting, and design are equally important. Every light on stage, every hairstyle, and every detail must be accurate and accurate."

Shanghai Ballet Classic Version of "Swan Lake" Stills

"Going out" is not about changing places with one shot. To gain lasting influence, it requires continuous cultivation. Since 2015, the Shanghai Ballet has performed four times in the Netherlands, and many local audiences have become loyal fans of the Shanghai Ballet. This time, there were 18 consecutive performances in Amsterdam, and there were many viewers who came to participate in the second round.

Local media coverage of Shangba's "Swan Lake" Photographer: Wu Tong

Shanghai style ballet needs to establish a strong brand on the world stage, and Xin Lili believes that the most important thing is still to have good works. "Over the years of practice, Shanghai style ballet has developed its exquisite and beautiful style. So far, we have about ten works that have been exported to more than ten countries around the world. All of these works are tailor-made for the Shanghai Ballet and are unique."

Jumping for 18 years, the prince still regards every game as the first one

Due to the afternoon performance, the schedule was fully booked on September 16th local time. At 11am, the actors departed from the hotel and started their basic training class on the stage at noon. Play one performance each at 3pm and 8pm. I didn't take the bus back to the hotel to rest until 11 pm.

On the evening of that day, Wu Husheng, the chief star of the Shanghai Ballet, and Qi Bingxue, the main actress, led the performance. Two hours before the performance, 37 year old Wu Husheng was putting on makeup in the corridor backstage of the theater. Since the age of 19, this "prince professional" has been dancing for Prince Siegfried for 18 years.

Before the performance, Wu Husheng was in makeup photography: Wu Tong

Having visited Amsterdam four times, Wu Husheng never had a chance to fully explore the city. Due to his increasing age and injuries, this time he is performing physical therapy at the same time. But what is more difficult to overcome than physical pain is psychological barriers. "When the pain comes, I instinctively want to avoid it. But when I do, my focus will be off and my strength will deviate. Sometimes, you have to grit your teeth and dance against the pain."

But now Wu Husheng has moved Derek Dean more than ever before. "His feelings and experiences can conceal all physical shortcomings, and he has entered the realm of ballet freedom. A truly excellent ballet performer dances with his brain."

Shanghai Ballet Classic Version of "Swan Lake" Stills

When Qi Bingxue first toured the Netherlands in 2015, she was still a group dancer. Now, she is a dazzling female lead on stage. In the third act of Swan Lake, in the famous solo variation of the Black Swan Audrey, she performs 32 single legged standing rotations called "Whip Spins" in one breath, which becomes the touchstone for ballet actresses.

Shanghai Ballet Classic Version of "Swan Lake" Stills

"This dance drama requires high physical strength and technical skills. Moreover, playing the roles of a black and white swan by one person is also a big challenge to the performance. The audience may prefer the 'tension' of the black swan, but the 'delicacy' of the white swan is actually more difficult to control," said Qi Bingxue.

Before the performance, Qi Bingxue was in "Silent Play". Photographer: Wu Tong

In addition, Tu Hanbin, the main actor of Shangba, and young actors Feng Zichun, Xu Jingkun, and Guo Wenjin also starred in this tour. Three groups of lead actors, from the 80s to the 00s. Xin Lili said, "In the past, when we toured, there were only two groups of lead actors, but this time it has been increased to three groups. Through rounds of domestic and international tours, batches of new talents have emerged one after another, becoming the main force.".

Xinlili meets her "old friend" backstage

On the afternoon of the 17th local time, after the final performance in Amsterdam, all the cast members of the Shanghai Ballet continued to rush to the next stop, Groningen. More than half of the tour sessions, there are still 18 more ahead. Wu Husheng said, "Then go on acting one by one and treat each scene as the first one."