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OzAsia Festival Theatre Review: Dream of the Ghost Story

Dream of the Ghost Story

The award-winning Shandong Acrobatic Troupe brings high-flying hi-jinx and an acrobatic twist to a classic Qing Dynasty fable for the OzAsia Festival.

 

Dream of the Ghost StoryPresented by Adelaide Festival Centre and Shandong Provincial Department of Culture
Reviewed 05 August 2014

The award-winning Shandong Acrobatic Troupe brought some high-flying hi-jinx to the Adelaide Festival Theatre as a classic Qing Dynasty fable took an acrobatic twist for the Australian premiere of the OzAsia Festival highlight, Dream of the Ghost Story.

The troupe, established in 1959, and headed by Artistic Director Yao Jianguo, comprises of over 50 performers whose incredible acrobatic skills shed new light on an old tale of good versus evil. A white fox spirit and a human fall in love, but not for long if the snake demon has anything to do with it.

Adorable Young Fox Fairies Wang Luyuan and Du Xiaoru and Young Scholar Shi Shuai almost steal the show for their cuteness (watch for the red kite), until they demonstrate their mindboggling strength and flexibility.

Handsome Scholar Guo Qinglong and graceful Fox Fairy Zhang Xu beautifully portray the later-that-same-love-story versions of the ill-fated lovers, and swing high above the stage with (yes, I’m going there) the greatest of ease… and without a net!

Baddies of the piece, Snake Demons Ding Jiaheng, Han Mengxuan and Wang Tao, put a new and fabulous spin on bungee jumping, followed by breathtaking scenes with the whole cast that evoked “oohs”, “aahs” and applause from a delighted audience.

Driving music mixes traditional and rock to maximum dramatic effect, enhanced by elaborate lighting and ethereal video projections. There are surprises in store after interval; bring your catching arms.

Dream of the Ghost Story is a visually spectacular, action-packed acrobatic circus drama with lassos, spinning plates, flying foxes, moving platforms, whips, evil spirits and some of the best person-tossing imaginable.

If you need a lift, be cunning as a fox and jump through hoops to see the dazzling Shandong Acrobatic Troupe in their final show tonight.

Suitable for ages 8+, Dream of the Ghost Story comes with a warning that some scenes contain fantasy themes and could be scary for young children.

Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Twitter: @GordonForester

Venue: Adelaide Festival Theatre
Season: 05-06 September 2014
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Tickets: $22.50 – $60; Family (2A +2C) $165
Bookings: Book through the OzAsia Festival website or phone BASS on 131 246

 

 

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