Traditional culture on Macao's menu
Ho says that MGM 2049, the resident show at Macao's MGM Theater, which features intangible cultural heritage, will debut in December. The show has been created in collaboration with renowned director Zhang Yimou. The performers are currently in intense rehearsals, and hope to present a stunning spectacle, she says.
MGM 2049 consists of eight segments, each focusing on a form of intangible cultural heritage item, from Mongolian throat singing and northern Shaanxi storytelling, to Miao songs and yangko dance.
She says that some modifications have been made to the theater's stage to meet Zhang's needs, and that a full-scale stage was built in Beijing's Huairou district for rehearsals.
The premiere will be a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and to the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
Using new technology and innovative methods, the show brings together intangible cultural heritage inheritors from around the country to showcase their stories through performances of music and dance, Ho adds.
She says that by exploring the cultural significance and values of different forms of heritage, Macao can inject vitality into its local performing arts industry, while also promoting Chinese culture to a wider audience.
Feng expresses his hope that the promotion plan will pay tribute to traditional Chinese culture with a more open and innovative approach.
By integrating traditional culture with modern technology and elements of fashion, both sides aim to make Chinese culture shine more brightly on the global stage, Feng adds.